I want to show my foal! So, is she good enough and where do I start?!?!?

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Cedars

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Hi guys!

We've got a 9month old coloured foal on loan from WHW. She's an absolute angel to handle and I think she's so lush =] but I want to do something with her before we can ride her! So, I've heard a little bit about showing but not much and I really have no idea about it at all.....so, tell me all about it please! And also, if you think she is good enough? Photos below!:

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And some of her in the field (cos shes cute! haha):

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Please be honest - she's going to be my little eventer when she's old enough anyway so you're not going to ruin my life if you think she looks like poo! Just wanted an idea.

Thanks!

Hannah xx
 
I know nothing about this whole showing bit, so no idea if she's good enough (although I think she's a sweetie) but I reckon take her along to some fun classes anyway, as it will be great for her to get out and see the world:)
 
Thanks Han. I thought I might just go for it anyway, but I dont want to get there and people by like "oh my GOD what is THAT?!?!" Haha!
 
If you wanted to show her, she would be classed as a yearling, and not a foal. As she was born in 2009, as soon as you are in 2010 they are automatically classed as a yearling, even if they weren't born until December 31st! I managed to show my August-born yearling very successfully from May onwards, although I wouldn't recommend it knowing what I know now, lol. However, it proves it can be done!

OK, so I can't really see overall conformation etc from those pictures, but she is nicely/evenly marked - perhaps try some BSPA and CHAPS youngstock classes and see how you get on? If she were mine, I would show her pulled and plaited - there is not enough feather/bone to class her as a traditional IMO. You would have to trim her legs etc, pull and plait her mane and tail. Of course, if you want to just go the fun route, you could probably get away with showing her as is, in a novice in hand or younstock class.

Yearling are expected to be bitted (although fillies can get away with wearing a slip, it isn't really the done thing) so get her used to having a small rubber bit in her mouth. Finding a nice in hand bridle also makes all the difference.
 
Han - shes called Puzzle, she was born at Glenda Spooner in Somerset. Mum was in foal with another at foot - sister is apparently a complete nutter!
 
I think the main thing at this age is just getting her used to everything and learning to trust you, so shows are a great education for youngsters wether you win or not, she looks cute so I'd just try a few local shows and see how it goes. If you google your area for horse events or get in touch with your local riding club they'll be able to point you towards some shows.
 
Thats great thank you everybody =] other opinions still v appreciated and also any shows near Stroud, Glos would be good =]
 
Any idea on breeding - she looks a native type - what height will she make?

I would show her as a native for the moment. Minimal trimming, tidy the head, leave the legs and and have the mane about 8" as you would for a welsh.

You can then ask the judge would you be better showing as a plaited as you can take off but not put back. However, she looks to be a well boned youngster, so you might get away with a hunter type if trimmed up etc.

I would try to do some BSPA or CHAPS classes - you don't have to be a member in most cases to do them unless you are wanting to do their championships.

Good luck and she looks a sweet little girl.
 
I agree with theresa_f here, I think she looks like a cobby/native type (If i am wrong I am sorry, either way I think she is beautiful!)

But if just trim up her ears a bit, neaten her up, but keep her hairy (if that makes sense?!)

Id start at local level shows, nothing high maintenance or too stressful.
You wear: trousers (that are a different colour to her legs, so if her legs are brown you wear cream/pale trousers, if her legs are white wear black or blue trousers), smart shoes you can run in (I wear my jodpur boots polished up), a shirt and tie, a show jacket (pref tweed, but if you don't its fine) or a waistcoat, and Brown gloves and a hat (id recommend a smart riding hat with her being young and inexperienced just for safety!)

She should have an inhand bridle in, which is like a petite little bridle for young horses, with a bit in (rubber, happy mouth, ANYthing really, just a simple bit to give you a bit of control should it be required) and a chain that connects the bit rings under her chin and the lead line comes off it :)

Then practice trotting her up (as you would if the vet was seeing her for lameness really!) try to get her shoulder level with you, and the less silly prancing/bucking etc from her the better! :D
And practice having her stood still, she should stand (as square as possible) and be patient, so practice at home, give her treats etc if you like so she thinks, hey standing still like this is fab!!

And then go to a local, enter fun classes e.g. youngstock (obv), coloured in hand, pony the judge would most like to take home, etc etc, and ask the youngstock and coloured judges whether they agree she is a native type or would do better trimmed nad plaited up etc (unelss you win in which case stick as is! :) )

and BTW AWWWWWWWW she is well cute!
 
Just a comment about the bit- the straight bar nylon ones with brass rings that most people show youngsters in are awful! They put pressure on the tongue and really arent very comfortable. When you first bit her i would advise a thin mouth bit with a link or lozenge in it, it doesnt have to be rubber or nylon. You can always wrap it in a thin layer of latex (buy it as a bandage) if you need to.

I once worked at a yard where all the youngsters were bitted at first with an in hand bit or with a rubber bit and without fail none of them liked it! Rubber bits are too fat and the nylon ones dont fit the mouth very well.

p.s. i love the floppy lip in one of the photos!
 
I agree with the inhand bit - tried one and Stinky was not happy. I went out and bought him an all copper peanut link small ring snaffle which was perfect and I also backed him with it.
 
Aww you guys are so sweet about her, she is my baby =] and her lip is hysterical, it goes like that all the time!

With regards to her breeding - she was rescued from a load of gypsies. Mum was typical gypsy cob - but the people we got her from think dad was alot finer, probably TB (judging from the other horses kept in with mum). She's going to make about 15.2, 15.3. So, no idea really! She does have ALOT of feather, but then not sooo much that makes me think its a defining feature of her breed. So I dont know - until yesterday I thought she was a wooly mammoth!!!

Thanks so much for all the advice, I'm going to go for it! AAHHH!

Other thoughts still appreciated!

Hannah xxx
 
Jungle Diva - it wont go the other way. Like, it splits down the middle unless you've JUST brushed it over, and then it'll sit to the left, sort of! Is that a bad thing? =[
 
with the mane.... i suggest you do what you have done in te picture and plait it on the right side! maybe wet it and then plait it. keep it in for a few days... and plait every other day just to 'train' it onto the right side :) its not a 'bad' thing but in shows its standard t have the mane on the right side facing the judge. :)
 
The side I plaited it on to is the side it normally sits...is that her right side? Phew!

Sarahsum you cant have her! Shes alllllll mine =] Haha!
 
urm.... the RIGHT side is literally the 'right' side lol.... in a showing class the horse will be between you and the judge. so the mane facing the judge :) we have many youngsters whos manes sit naturally on te left 'wrong' side.... simple plaiting every other day does the job. oh and brill cream ;)
 
the mane would be on the off side of the horse - ie. the opposite side you mount from :)

She is lovely, and I would show her as a native and ask the judges opinion :)
 
Oh *******s her mane sits the wrong way! Oh well, will have to train it the right way!!!!

I'm going to go for it! Do you think shes native then?
 
From what you say of her background, she is probably gypsy cob x trotter (TB type). Put her mane into small bunches and loose plait it on the correct side, gypsy cobs often have a double mane, mine does, but with time and keeping it plaited, it will stay nicely on the correct side. However, even after nearly five years, if I take out Stinky's plaits, within a week it reverts to a double mane.

You may find as she grows, she will also look good trimmed out, pulled and plaited as a hunter type or hogged out as a cob, it all depends on how she grows, ie does she broaden out like the cob, or stay taller and slimmer like the trotter, or even stay native looking - with this mix they can really change as they grow up.

My chap has a tiny dash of trotter in him from way back, but is very much a gypsy cob, just with a touch of quality in his head, very silky hair, taller type and not as heavy boned, and a wonderful way of going that comes from the trotter.
 
Look for loacla shows to start with, get yours and her confident up.

My sister took her 13 month old American saddle bred foal to his first showing class on Sunday and he came 2nd!

We were so pleased!

They do lots at Avon Riding center not too far for you
 
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