In hand Arab PB and veteran classes - tips please!

[Orchardbeck]

Hi, I am entering my mare in an in hand part bred Arab showing class at the weekend and I'd like to check our turnout is correct. I will be plaiting her mane - I'm guessing her tail will need to be too as it is not pulled.

Her bridle is brown english leather - should she wear a pelham or will her ordinary bit suffice (an NS baucher)? Also, should she wear a pair of ordinary reins, or a connector with a leather lead rein? If using a pair of reins, should they be smooth (I have some) or rubber covered? Should she wear a coloured browband?

She is chestnut with four white socks. I would have worn beige trousers in the past but should I be wearing dark (brown?) trousers to contrast? I have short black boots. I have a green tweed jacket and green tie - just need a white collared shirt - any recommendations? I have a brown showing cane.

My hat is a Troxel Sierra so probably not the most suitable, but I do have a skull cap with a navy velvet cover, or a black velvet (cheap and nasty) covered hat. Which would you use? If we decide to do any more in future I'll get a blue velvet with flesh coloured harness.

It's years since I did any showing, and even then not to a very high standard! It's only a riding club show, but I'd still like to get it right, and if not now, for the future. Any advice?!

 

[Gracie21]

Hiya! What colour is she? Don't worry to much. I went to a show yesterday and people were wearing some interesting things, and these were big qualifiers!

Yep plaited mane & tail. Brown is perfect, pelham with plain reins. No white, go for yellow colour, will go nicely with green tweed and tie If you are wearing green, I'd go for a browband to compliment her colour and also to match in with your tie. (I wear green tweed with red & gold tie and yellow shirt, pony has blue, red & gold browband).

Navy hat cover is fine, maybe get a velvet one? Also some brown gloves.

Have fun!

 

[Orchardbeck]

Hi, thanks for your reply Gracie21!

I have bought a navy tie with tiny gold dots, and a navy and gold browband. Most of our other stuff is navy so might as well stick with that! The green tie is a kids size anyway, I've grown since I last looked at it! My tweed is still ok - good!

Do you think I should go with the skull cap and navy velvet cover rather than the black velvet hat this time? I will be getting a navy hat in the future.

I need to get a pair of navy trousers but I'll be able to get hold of a pair of chinos or something pretty easily I'm sure. I'll also have to invest in a new shirt with a collar as just realised I must have put mine out for charity, doh!

Does the yellow duster trick work anyone?! I have brown gloves but they aren't leather, they are the Ariat Tekgrip thick ones but they'll have to do for now!

 

[Orchardbeck]

Sorry also meant to add she is the pony in my profile pic, she is chestnut with four white socks. Navy really suits her, we used to have dark green but navy looks better for some reason!