I am a numpty...and a class question!

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lrw0250

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So just musing after our outing to the local agricultural show on Saturday with novice daughter and her lead rein pony and have a query for showing peeps. Would you consider an unaffiliated local pony class to be judged on manners, tack and turnout to be more of a “fun” class as opposed to the affiliated lead rein class? We only entered it as we didn’t want to go to do just the fancy dress class. We made the effort with our outfits, tack was as correct as possible (GP saddle instead of a show saddle) and clean and pony was turned out as best I could considering she is still holding on to her winter coat. We had no expectations of a placing or anything and really just wanted the experience. What I didn’t expect was to be up against 5 other very experienced, produced ponies who were all then doing the affiliated open lead rein class later in the day. We stuck out like a sore thumb as the novices and I was mortified that I hadn’t realised it would be a “serious” class. I got all nervous and pony picked up on it and took the p&*s trying to graze at every opportunity. We came last obviously but got a 6th place rosette.

Unfortunately the fancy dress class in the afternoon was then cancelled due to torrential rain but they did let the kids pick a rosette so we got a green one since it’s the wee ones favourite colour at the minute. She declared it the most awesome day ever so I am over the moon she came away happy despite her mummy being an idiot and the weather being horrific!
 
I know what show you went to and I can assure you that none of the ponies in the local pony classes were produced. They are just families that do a lot of showing. There is very little a lead rein rider can do at shows so they do tend to do any classes they can. I know for sure that 3 of the other competitors do indeed take their ponies to only club and have loads of fun on them.
 
EKW said:
I know what show you went to and I can assure you that none of the ponies in the local pony classes were produced. They are just families that do a lot of showing. There is very little a lead rein rider can do at shows so they do tend to do any classes they can. I know for sure that 3 of the other competitors do indeed take their ponies to only club and have loads of fun on them.
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I am sure they do have fun but as novices it was very intimidating to be up against them in an unaffiliated class. To be honest we only went as there was space on the box with someone else from the yard and we thought we would support our local show. Its totally my fault for not realising, though I have suggested to the show that a novice lead rein class in future years might be a good idea. Affiliated classes are pretty much out for us since said pony was a recue case in her younger years and has some very visible scarring. You live and learn I guess.
 
Whatever show you go, in whatever discipline, you will always have people who look 'professional' for a whole variety of reasons. It is not safe to assume that they are produced etc. They may just have all the gear and no idea, they may be using that class as a warm up, as another poster said they may just be doing any class they can to make the most out of the trip.

Ignore other people unless you are looking to learn and focus on you.
 
No, i would expect a local class to be judged the same as any open class and as there are not normally rules around produced/not produced for local classes then if there is a local producer i would not be suprised to see them in it either.

All local classes (even the hunters) are unaffiliated but judged as a normal open class
 
Sounds to me that it was indeed a "fun" class. Your daughter seems to have had fun, the judges sounded encouraging with a rosette, everything was as it should be.

I often go to a dressage show and think everyone else looks much better. I don't plait for dressage, used to have a neck strap, don't have posh clothes or posh tack. We used to usually win, so I guess it was a false impression!
 
The family pony classes over here seem similar to what you describe , and they definitely say a child entered in a family pony class can't do the ordinary LR or FR too...

Being judged on manners and turnout still throws up odd results though, my friend was beaten last year by THE fattest pony I have ever seen (and I've owned some porkers myself :( )...

Fiona
 
I would consider a local ag show even unaffiliated to be a step above your usual PC/RC ran local show as such I am not surprised that there were seemingly well schooled nice ponies present and eligible for the local pony class. I don't think I have ever seen a local class at such a show that has looked much lesser quality than that seen in the open particularly.

However, it sounds as those your child have a lovely enjoyable outing so even if you felt a bit outclassed you went home with a happy kid and pony :D
 
ester said:
I would consider a local ag show even unaffiliated to be a step above your usual PC/RC ran local show as such I am not surprised that there were seemingly well schooled nice ponies present and eligible for the local pony class. I don't think I have ever seen a local class at such a show that has looked much lesser quality than that seen in the open particularly.

However, it sounds as those your child have a lovely enjoyable outing so even if you felt a bit outclassed you went home with a happy kid and pony :D
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I tend to agree with this and at the end of the day we all have to start somewhere I wouldn't worry to much your daughter was happy that's all that matters, and at least if you go next year or decide on another similar show you will know what to expect.
 
OP you should try to get along to some of the showing shows at Howe - they have a ring dedicated to fun classes. They do let the adults enter too but they generally get looked down on as it's really a ring for kids. There's young handlers classes, equitation classes - basically best rider - best turned out, best 6 legs, pony judge would most like to take home, fancy dress, Thelwell lookalike etc. There's 10-12 classes you could do without it being proper showing with a championship at the end. They always make sure the judges are very child friendly for those classes too so no grouchy faces!
 
Also a novice class will likely go on the ponys winnings not the owners!
Most novice classes are "pony not to have won x amount" or "pony not to have been placed 1st in affiliated class prior to jan 1st" etc.
So producers still go in them to get thier young ponies out and experience. Tbh, open, novice or local class at an agric show i would expect the same standard of turnout and people but the novice class may have slightly more babyish ponies in it (but bare in mind that its still a high level of schooling before ever being allowed to be seen in public)
 
I too would definitely expect any agricultural show to throw up v stiff competition. Just because the class is 'novice' does not mean the rider nor mother are. Its the pony that is the novice and that usually means they have not qualified for HOYS or RIHS .... Dont worry - sounds like your little one loved the experience so onwards and upwards eh xx
 
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