In hand ridden showing advice

[Leanne2807]

Hi, I have recently bought my daughter who will be 3 in March an 11hh gorgeous black welsh A gelding. Im looking to show him in hand and with her ridding lead-rein this year. I’m a little confused what classes I should enter both ridden and in hand. Is he show pony leadrein or show hunter leadrein and will I be expected to trot when carrying a 3 year old and should she wear a navy jacket or tweed? Can he also be shown in mountain and moorland and should I be trimming him or leaving him natural? Please help, this showing is a minefield and everyone I ask tells me different?

 

[conniegirl]

Most shows will not allow anyone under 4 to ride due to insurance so you will need to check before you go.

Yes in all lead-rein classes you and your daughter will be expected to trot.

Jacket will depend on class.

As he is a section A he will not be the correct type for a show pony class. If he is not very typey for a section A he will probably do OK ish in the show hunter pony classes, if he is a nice, typey and Correct section A then the best class for him will be the M&M classes.

For the M&M classses pony will need to be left natural (so leave feathers on, leave tail long, trim and tidy the mane but leave it loose and a good length, you can remove the beard but not whiskers), and the rider/handler wear tweed.

Show hunter pony classes he will be completely trimmed and platted with pulled tail and rider in tweed jacket.

Your best bet would be to get out to some clinic and some of the winter shows and watch, if you ask questions at the shows most people will be happy to help, just pick your moment (so don't ask a harried mother who is legging it to the ring because their class has just gone in!)

 

[Leanne2807]

Hi, thank you for your advice. I have attached a few photos of him from before he turned into a ball of fluff. Can you advise if I should plate him up for show hunter or go natural for M and M?

 

[be positive]

Most shows will not allow anyone under 4 to ride due to insurance so you will need to check before you go.

Yes in all lead-rein classes you and your daughter will be expected to trot.

Jacket will depend on class.

As he is a section A he will not be the correct type for a show pony class. If he is not very typey for a section A he will probably do OK ish in the show hunter pony classes, if he is a nice, typey and Correct section A then the best class for him will be the M&M classes.

For the M&M classses pony will need to be left natural (so leave feathers on, leave tail long, trim and tidy the mane but leave it loose and a good length, you can remove the beard but not whiskers), and the rider/handler wear tweed.

Show hunter pony classes he will be completely trimmed and platted with pulled tail and rider in tweed jacket.

Your best bet would be to get out to some clinic and some of the winter shows and watch, if you ask questions at the shows most people will be happy to help, just pick your moment (so don't ask a harried mother who is legging it to the ring because their class has just gone in!)

All of the above but LR classes are open to 3 year old riders, the odd local show may differ but affiliated start at 3 .

 

[Leanne2807]

Thank you for your help. Trotter classes to commence this weekend than 🙂

 

[YorksG]

While all judges expect the leader to have the ultimate control of the pony, they do expect rider input, so lead rein from a coupling is advisable, if possible. Trotting is expected, or the smallest riders, as how else can the judge tell if the pony has a suitable trot? An anecdote from many years ago is that my friend was told that she could ride, off the lead with her mother, after she had won her first class. Friend won her first lead rein class, age four and then rode without lead, much to her mothers chagrin

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

All of the above but LR classes are open to 3 year old riders, the odd local show may differ but affiliated start at 3 .

For affiliated classes they need to have turned 3 before the 1st of January that year.

Some local shows differ so I would always check with the secretary before you go if you are intending to do lead rein.

Lead rein is like an in-hand class - all walk in, stop, trot to the back of the line and then be pulled in. Your individual should be a walk away, trot back trot a figure of eight, stop salute.

 

[conniegirl]

leadrein should be attached to the noseband not the bit for all leadrein classes and whilst the leader has ultimate responsibility for the control of a pony, the leadrein should ideally have a good bit of slack in it and the child controling the pony mostly on thier own with leader there to add a steadying hand or take over if the pony spooks etc/

 

[be positive]

For affiliated classes they need to have turned 3 before the 1st of January that year.

Some local shows differ so I would always check with the secretary before you go if you are intending to do lead rein.

Lead rein is like an in-hand class - all walk in, stop, trot to the back of the line and then be pulled in. Your individual should be a walk away, trot back trot a figure of eight, stop salute.

Oops missed she is not 3 until March so maybe not much she can do this season, some local shows may allow entry, plenty of time to get everything ready for next.