Showing Help with competing in the arabian horse shows.

[Andymc]

Hey all,

In trying to get my little horse ready for a show in June and I would really appreciate some advice on tack/dress. We defiantly plan to show in hand, riding if it’s a non-judge ride class. My guy is half arabian. I am not sure if I need a new saddle, what kind of hard hat I need, etc, different bridle all those sorts. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Showing in the states is very different, and I want to turn up with correct outfit etc thank you in advance! ❤️

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Will the show be in the UK or the US?

 

[Andymc]

The show is here in the UK. I have shown for like 30 years in the states...know that stuff like the back of my hand but here I am like ummmmm halp!!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

https://www.ahsshowsandevents.com/Forms to download/Guidelines to showing booklet.pdf

The page numbers jump around a bit so it might be worth printing it off and assembling the booklet.

 

[be positive]

Hey all,

In trying to get my little horse ready for a show in June and I would really appreciate some advice on tack/dress. We defiantly plan to show in hand, riding if it’s a non-judge ride class. My guy is half arabian. I am not sure if I need a new saddle, what kind of hard hat I need, etc, different bridle all those sorts. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Showing in the states is very different, and I want to turn up with correct outfit etc thank you in advance! ❤️

It will in part depend on what type your part bred is as the classes differ slightly in turnout required, so as a starting point you need to know whether he is a hack, riding horse or hunter type, or if he is under 148 then he will be in the pony classes which are different again, they may be part arab but still need to fit into a class type, it may be different to the US from that point.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Most Arabs at Arab shows will be ridden in a show saddle, mostly in brown tack most will be ridden in a double bridle or a Pelham bit coloured browbands are allowed, if you Google sweet photography they take pictures at a lot of the big Arab shows, so have a look at how the horses are turned out and what people are wearing it will give you a good idea.

I go to some of the arab shows as I have purebreds What show and which classes will you be doing in June?

 

[Andymc]

Most Arabs at Arab shows will be ridden in a show saddle, mostly in brown tack most will be ridden in a double bridle or a Pelham bit coloured browbands are allowed, if you Google sweet photography they take pictures at a lot of the big Arab shows, so have a look at how the horses are turned out and what people are wearing it will give you a good idea.

I go to some of the arab shows as I have purebreds What show and which classes will you be doing in June?

I am planning on going to the Wessex show. My guy is 50 Arab and other half paint... but no spots just loads of white, legs and face. 15 hands. We showed hunter pleasure and sport horse hunter type in the states. He’s go western pleasure easy but hahaha no western here. 🤪 we’re looking at the in hand classes for over 4 as hes 14, maaaaaybe riding if the judge doesn’t ride.... he can be slow as a potato.... because he’s a sneaky bugger.

 

[Andymc]

It will in part depend on what type your part bred is as the classes differ slightly in turnout required, so as a starting point you need to know whether he is a hack, riding horse or hunter type, or if he is under 148 then he will be in the pony classes which are different again, they may be part arab but still need to fit into a class type, it may be different to the US from that point.

Well we showed hunter pleasure and sport horse back home. He’s 15 hands so not a pony. No idea what class type he’s be. He’s lad paint horse... but no spots just loads of white. Many ask if he’s full Arab. Below is my daughter riding him, and second is me at regional championship in hunter pleasure.... so different than here

 

[Andymc]

https://www.ahsshowsandevents.com/Forms to download/Guidelines to showing booklet.pdf

The page numbers jump around a bit so it might be worth printing it off and assembling the booklet.

Been reading this! Super helpful!

 

[be positive]

Well we showed hunter pleasure and sport horse back home. He’s 15 hands so not a pony. No idea what class type he’s be. He’s lad paint horse... but no spots just loads of white. Many ask if he’s full Arab. Below is my daughter riding him, and second is me at regional championship in hunter pleasure.... so different than here

It will be very different over here, you have been reading the guide to showing which will help but you may find he is a bit too 'araby' for UK judges, he will be either a small hack or riding horse type, certainly not a hunter, turnout will be different to the US, he needs the tail trimmed for a start, the long bridle path will be frowned upon, no breastplate for showing, numnahs should be discrete yet you can have a loud velvet browband in any colours you want.

He is a pretty boy and if he is well schooled and will give the judges a good ride you should have fun with him.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

The AHS has a big show at Malvern. I would aim to take him there one day as they will have 'extra' classes that are not available at the average show. For example I believe that they have a class specifically for high percentage PBA 50% or over which would be great for your boy. In 'normal' PBA classes he would be competing against horses with as little as 12.5% arab blood, so much less 'araby'.

Don't shave around his eyes or take off all the hair from inside his ears. The extreme halter look is not loved by the AHS and they have in fact banned the removal of any tactile hair on purebred horses and those with too much makeup can be thrown out of the class. No tail extensions (is he wearing one in the show photo?). Learn how to plait up British style with fewer, bigger plaits. It is very different to US hunter braids.

He is a gorgeous horse, but the casual photo is the one that catches my eye. He looks smashing there.

 

[conniegirl]

Your turnout would be very different over here, part breds are turned out to type so either riding horse or hack for yours.

Here is a good link to how to turnout and what is expected of you.
http://theshowring.info/Hacks.htm
http://theshowring.info/Riding Horses.htm

But in short: pulled a plaited mane (normal is an odd number between 17 and 11 plaits down the neck then plus the forelock) with NO visible bridlepath and no ribbons!. Pulled tail that is cut straight at the bottom so that it is level with hocks when carried.
All feather off, and all extra hair trimmed.
Double bridle with ribbon browband.
straight cut show saddle with brown close cut numnah and brown girth.

Breast plates are NOT allowed

You will wear cream/beige/corn jods, black long boots with spurs or dummy spurs, shirt and tie and then either a navy or tweed jacket depending on the class you enter. Hair in a bun at the nape of your neck (proper bun, not one of the big bows with nets attached) and hat should be Navy velvet, Some shows will allow adults to wear an unstrapped hat but more and more are insisting on strapped hats upto the current standard in which case you need flesh coloured straps on your hat


Unfortunately for you MOST affiliated shows will have a ride judge.

Schooling wise you want the horse up in front of your leg and not as deep as either of those photos, They have to give a very educated, balanced ride that a jusge will feel comfortable on.

 

[Andymc]

It will be very different over here, you have been reading the guide to showing which will help but you may find he is a bit too 'araby' for UK judges, he will be either a small hack or riding horse type, certainly not a hunter, turnout will be different to the US, he needs the tail trimmed for a start, the long bridle path will be frowned upon, no breastplate for showing, numnahs should be discrete yet you can have a loud velvet browband in any colours you want.

He is a pretty boy and if he is well schooled and will give the judges a good ride you should have fun with him.

Thank you

The regional show was time ago. So our bridle path is now maybe 2 inches? I haven’t pulled his mane or anything.... not sure if I can put him in a running braid? No breast plate makes sense.... I don’t really like them Anywhoo!

Our tail is like 1 foot shorter. If I bag it it just grows and grows. Thinking banging before the show? After the top is braided? I did that for our sport horse in hand class.

He defiantly got way more of the arabian genetics than what his dam was.

It will be an experience for sure. Not going in to win, just to have fun which is how it should be and defiantly learn

 

[Andymc]

The AHS has a big show at Malvern. I would aim to take him there one day as they will have 'extra' classes that are not available at the average show. For example I believe that they have a class specifically for high percentage PBA 50% or over which would be great for your boy. In 'normal' PBA classes he would be competing against horses with as little as 12.5% arab blood, so much less 'araby'.

Don't shave around his eyes or take off all the hair from inside his ears. The extreme halter look is not loved by the AHS and they have in fact banned the removal of any tactile hair on purebred horses and those with too much makeup can be thrown out of the class. No tail extensions (is he wearing one in the show photo?). Learn how to plait up British style with fewer, bigger plaits. It is very different to US hunter braids.

He is a gorgeous horse, but the casual photo is the one that catches my eye. He looks smashing there.

.... that’s all his tail we can’t have tail extensions in the states.... I ‘think’ Only saddle breeds do that now. I am so happy to not ever have to do ears again. Flipping sucks! I got lucky for him even in the winter he never really grows face hair... muscle or eyes. Summer, he just sheds out. I put baby oil in and that’s it. He really just gets whiskers. Right now he’s got as many as my cat ^.^

 

[conniegirl]

Thank you

The regional show was time ago. So our bridle path is now maybe 2 inches? I haven’t pulled his mane or anything.... not sure if I can put him in a running braid? No breast plate makes sense.... I don’t really like them Anywhoo!

Our tail is like 1 foot shorter. If I bag it it just grows and grows. Thinking banging before the show? After the top is braided? I did that for our sport horse in hand class.

He defiantly got way more of the arabian genetics than what his dam was.

It will be an experience for sure. Not going in to win, just to have fun which is how it should be and defiantly learn

Running plaits are not realy acceptable in the UK show ring. Tails should to be pulled not braided, If he wont let you pull it then tail rakes are your best friend.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I am planning on going to the Wessex show. My guy is 50 Arab and other half paint... but no spots just loads of white, legs and face. 15 hands. We showed hunter pleasure and sport horse hunter type in the states. He’s go western pleasure easy but hahaha no western here. 🤪 we’re looking at the in hand classes for over 4 as hes 14, maaaaaybe riding if the judge doesn’t ride.... he can be slow as a potato.... because he’s a sneaky bugger.

Wessex is a nice show there nice and friendly, they have started to do a new amateur riding phase at some shows, the judge won't ride in these classes I know the south east Arabian group run them at one of there shows, and as faracat has said check out Malvern they do loads of different classes where you can ride in traditional dress.

He does look like a purebred and is very pretty, and very similar to mine as they are both bay although without much white.

Other shows I sometimes go to are Hocon and the Norfolk and Suffolk group hold a show in May which is a really good place to go, if you look on the south east Arab group website they hold showing clinics and they are really helpful people that run them.

 

[Andymc]

Running plaits are not realy acceptable in the UK show ring. Tails should to be pulled not braided, If he wont let you pull it then tail rakes are your best friend.

This is from this years rules from AHS... looks like I can either braid or not.... just need to look for 50% or higher classes. As my guy is 50% we know so far. The show proofs I just looked at had tails pulled... natural... and braided. I’ll have to play with his mane as it’s not super thick rather fine. Tail..... lol it goes out of control in a week!

 

[conniegirl]

you will have to show proof of %age and be registered/overstamped by the AHS.
the 50% classes will only be at the AHS shows, everywhere else it is turnout to type

 

[Andymc]

you will have to show proof of %age and be registered/overstamped by the AHS.
the 50% classes will only be at the AHS shows, everywhere else it is turnout to type

Am waiting for my new paperwork from AHS. He’s been registered in the states, had him imported. Made copies of everything.

 

[Andymc]

Oh shoot... forgot to ask about shoes... I know pads are not allowed. Which is good as that farrier bill is ££££££ can we show barefoot? My guy has been a shoeless wonder for 4 years. I might put plates in the front if we do more hacking in roads.

One of the other posters, Connie? mentioned how he should travel.... I am thinking by what you mean by up front of my leg... is getting him to lengthen his frame more not be so bunchy?

We have been doing loads of conditioning since i got him back... we’ve been a paper for three years. Loads of work to do now!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

They can be shown barefoot a lot of people do.