In-Hand RC Horse... Tips?

[Bounty]

Am looking at doing an in-hand RC horse class next month, just for a bit of fun and experience! It's only a local show, so shouldn't be too strict.
Just want to make sure I'm au fait with turnout.....
i) It's ok to show her in a snaffle for this class isn't it?
ii) Should I use a coupling and smart lead rein, or have the reins over her head?
iii) Me? What do I wear.... I've got the main bit, but what should I put on my head, and should i carry a cane?

Also, is there anything special I should be doing when 'showing' her to make the most of her? Surely there must be more to it than just trotting up?!

Love from
A confused and intrigued showing virgin!!

 

[dozzie]

TBH I dont think there are set rules for RC horse. I think a snaffle would be fine if you dont have a double bridle but I prefer a coupling and lead rope to reins over head when showing in a snaffle. However unless you have loads of dosh I dont think Id buy one just for one inhand class. I think you can wear a coloured browband but sometimes a plain can look smarter. If you get a copy of the horse and hound you could have a look at what to wear for inhand. (look at the hunters/riding horse youngstock as the arab and welshie people are a bit "different"!!IMO)You can wear smart trousers, shirt, tie and waiscoat, with hat and gloves and a cane, or you can wear your own riding jacket, breeches and boots etc as it is local. You should always wear a hat and gloves, preferably not white, and carry a cane. If you have long hair then you will need it in a hairnet. You can wear a buttonhole in RC horse too.

For safety no earrings- or nose, eyebrow rings

In RC rules earrings arent allowed ( or werent in the past).

Make sure you practise the trot up so you horse is willing and doesnt have to be pulled into trot! And practise standing her up square. The judge will ask you to walk away and trot back. Make sure at the end of the walk you turn your horse away from you and trot back in front of judge. Dont hold the reins to close to the bit as it might restrict her movement.

You will need to plait for RC horse too!! Im sure you knew that though!! And a bit of babyoil in the tail gives it a nice shine- but not too much!!!!

And make sure that your hat will stay on without you holding it and you can run in the footwear you choose, on possibly slippery grass!!!

Not trainers though!

Im not an expert but used to do a bit of showing at local level. If you can, go to a show in the next couple of weeks and have a look. Look for people who look like they have shown regularly and have a similar colour horse to yours and copy them!!!

Hope this helps a bit!

ETA Dont spend a fortune as RC horse classes are very much down to what the judge thinks RC is about. They may be looking for a big Family type pony or a sport horse/hunter type. You just dont know! But I would say manners would be important.

 

[Bounty]

Wow, thankyou!
I'm just entering her really for something to do, she's a 5yo ex-racer and hasn't been to an official show yet, so just wanted to get some mileage clocked up

She'd be better in a sportshorse class I'm sure, but the choice wasn't there

The other reason I sort of want to do this is to get into the swing of things for youngstock classes if all goes well with Tills....

We were practicing our trot up last night and I can safely say that she doesn't need dragging into trot, it's more a case of me having to keep up

She's quite blustery at the moment, so need to work on getting her to smile I think!
Knew I would have to plait, and thats the bit I was dreading the most, my plaiting leaves a little to be desired at the moment I would think.... have had hogged polo ponies for the last 6 years! Much more sensible IMO!

Any tips on choosing a hat? I did have a beagler, but it doesn't fit anymore

 

[FMM]

I have never heard of a riding club horse in hand - are you sure it is not a riding horse in hand? As you say, it is all good experience when educating a young horse, so make sure you have some decent gloves and shoes and you should be OK!

Technically you should stand her up so that when the judge stands sideways on to you, then they should be able to see all four legs. The ideal stance is the two legs i.e. near fore and near hind) should be further apart and the off fore and the off hind should be slightly closer together.

bit like this:

When you trot up, try to make sure your horse is going straight and not curled around you (which sometimes happens if the horse is a bit keen!)

Have fun!

 

[dozzie]

Are you male or female?

 

[Bounty]

Female

 

[Bounty]

"Class 20 In Hand Riding club horse or pony"..... I'dnever heard of it either... but then I'm not a showing person so just thought I'd missed something.

That photo is really useful FMM, that's her preferred stance anyway so I'm glad you showed me that before I spent ages training her to stand absolutely square.

 

[dozzie]

www.prosportphotos.com/equestrian/2004/tadley-ridden-and-in-hand/

Sorry if you tried last link!! Told you Im a puter illterate!! Got worng show. Try this.
(If you are confused by this I deleted the first post!!)
Loads of photos to browse through and choose your outfit!!!

This was a good inhand show and lots of people went to qualify for other things so a good standard generally.

Have fun!

 

[Bounty]

Hehe... mooched my way there anyway

Am thinking that about half way down the page of 'Ring one, part one' they might be doing something similar to a RC class... Lots being shown in snaffles and full riding gear?
Thanks for all your help!

 

[dozzie]

Ring one was sport horse, riding horse, youngstock and hunters!!! Plus a few other classes. So thats definitely the right bit!!

0580 won the riding horse class!! I think!!!

 

[Bounty]

I'm very impressed by your memory....

 

[dozzie]

No memory involved!!! I looked on the TDRC website and checked the clasess and results! Knew the person who won as she is somewhat unforgettable and just found her piccy!!!!

ETA it is not me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!