How are veteran classes judged at local show??

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crinster

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I'm thinking of taking my 25 year old welsh section d x to a local show to do the veteran class. I assume I would turn him out as I would for m&m showing so unplaited and me in tweed. I know I don't have the correct tack, in that I only have a padded cavesson bridle, but my main 2 questions are I normally ride him in a 3 ring gag, he is ex jumper and very strong, or a Pelham but I can't ride in double reins. Is it ok to use roundings at a local show? Also he suffers from sweet itch and hasn't grown the best mane, he was hogged up until this winter and it's only grown the top half! He is very well schooled and very fit so does a show nicely. But how much will he be judged on tack and turnout and how much on general condition? Thanks
 
I think it very much depends on the judge. Years ago I helped at a local show and wrote for the veteran horse judge- this was in hand rather than ridden. They weren't interested in the tack but in the overall condition and appearance of the horse.
 
I'd go with the pelham even if you must use roundings. A three ring gag has no place in flat class showing sorry

You cant stick the mane back on so there isn't much you can do, just make sure what remains is clean and not scurfy. Some judges judge it like a show class so look for type and conformation and others concentrate on overall condition for age.
 
It really depends on the judge, I would say condition is most important though.

I would also steer clear of the gag. Can you not borrow a snaffle at all? I really dislike roundings, especially in local show rings.

If he is a Welsh part bred, he should be plaited up.
 
Hi I wasn't going to use the gag bit, as I am aware it isn't for showing! I can try him in a snaffle, he will be fine doing his show but I would be concerned about how strong he might get if everyone has to canter around together!

He is on loan to me and his owner said he was registered welsh d, but as he has always been a jumping pony his green book has been lost over the years so that's why I say he's a cross. His mane would look tidier plaited but I don't want to clip his feathers off and I don't have a plain navy jacket to wear, only a tweed one!
 
crinster said:
Hi I wasn't going to use the gag bit, as I am aware it isn't for showing! I can try him in a snaffle, he will be fine doing his show but I would be concerned about how strong he might get if everyone has to canter around together!

He is on loan to me and his owner said he was registered welsh d, but as he has always been a jumping pony his green book has been lost over the years so that's why I say he's a cross. His mane would look tidier plaited but I don't want to clip his feathers off and I don't have a plain navy jacket to wear, only a tweed one!
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If by green book you mean passport, then it's actually illegal to transport him?

You wouldn't have to take his feathers off, and a navy jacket would be fine, but if he is actually a pure native then unplaited is fine.
 
muckypony said:
You wouldn't have to take his feathers off, and a navy jacket would be fine, but if he is actually a pure native then unplaited is fine.
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Sorry but this is wrong.
If you plait him the feathers will have to come off and a navy jacket would be incorrect. A tweed jacket is correct in the vast majority of classes. a welsh D or even welsh D cross is never going to fit into the show pony or show hack classes where a navy would be correct.

When judging a veteran class I look for condition and freedom of movement relative to age. In affiliated classes tack and turnout is worth a conciderable amount of marks. I also will be looking a manners, correct schooling and looking at if the pony is happy dong its job.
 
You turn out to type as a veteran so not having papers doesn't matter, no one will know he's not a pure bred/papered :) so leave mane and feathers as they are roughly, WPCS has turnout advice on their site.
 
If it's only local, I wouldn't get too tied up in knots over your jacket, boots and hat! Clean, presentable and to type was the way I always approached veteran classes, tack should be plain, clean and appropriate - though a three ring gag might not fit into that description! The ones local to me were judged on condition, cleanliness and presentation. Condition making up the main percentage of the judges thoughts. I was steward once on the year I didn't compete and the judge was really good about explaining what she was looking for. Little blemishes and slight stiffness were ignored - as she said they didn't get to be old by being wrapped in cotton wool. As long as the horses/ponies weren't actually lame they were all considered equally regardless of breed or type. She was just looking for the best amongst them on the day.
 
conniegirl said:
Sorry but this is wrong.
If you plait him the feathers will have to come off and a navy jacket would be incorrect. A tweed jacket is correct in the vast majority of classes. a welsh D or even welsh D cross is never going to fit into the show pony or show hack classes where a navy would be correct.

When judging a veteran class I look for condition and freedom of movement relative to age. In affiliated classes tack and turnout is worth a conciderable amount of marks. I also will be looking a manners, correct schooling and looking at if the pony is happy dong its job.
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Sorry I meant a tweed jacket will be fine! I really dislike navy/black jackets where they are not supposed to be worn showing.

Feathers IMO can be left in this case as it is only a local show so I doubt that will matter a vast amount, but I think everything else that you can change without long-term affect (e.g. snaffle bit, tweed jacket, plait up) should be done.
 
You don't need to plait a native type for veterans though, you turn out to type not to breed papers or lack of.
 
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