In-hand showing a foal and 2 year old…. haven’t shown for years – advice needed?

L

luckilotti

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hillhousestables.co.uk
Hello,
Well in my youth I did a lot of showing, but haven’t shown for quite a few years now, and even then, last time I went to a show it was with my late mare who was a ISH so very different to who I am now wanting to take!
I have amongst my many horses 3 I would like to get out over the winter to a local winter riding club.

The 1st I know what I will be doing with etc but then I get onto the next two….

The 2 year old ‘part bred welsh’ who looks like a full welsh. How ‘natural’ would you leave her? This evening I was showing a livery how I am going to have to get rid of her beard etc and she says I am now expected to leave it??? ‘Back in the day’ to me natural was unplaited, no trimmed legs, long flowing unplaited tail – but I would still make sure ‘excess’ hair etc was removed from the jaw line and ears.
What would you do with her?

The other is a foal, he has only just been weaned but is best mates with the above filly so might as well take him out for the trip!
He is a welsh d x tbx, now, would you plait him up or let him go ‘au natural?’

The filly I would be taking in youngstock and poss m&m, the colt foal would be in youngstock and palomino.

Browbands? I like a bit of colour / bling – whats the current trend with using/not using these? It is just a local riding club so not affiliated or county level etc!


Any other advice?

I am guessing it’s all still the same format…. Walk around, stop in a corner and trot around the arena to back of line, judge pulls you in, stand out infront of judge, walk away and trot back continuing around the rear so you are back in line, walk around again, pulled into line.

hot chocolate for reading, cookies for a reply ;)
 
If you're doing M&M classes, no "bling" I am afriad on browbands, all completely natural. (Not saying you couldn't wear a mildly blingy button hole/tie though!)

It has become so popular now to actually trim up M&M's, I couldn't believe how short and pulled mane's are getting at the last few competitions I have been to!
But yes, although it is "natural" many people now a days do trim and keep manes/tails/whiskers/beards/feathers etc short, but in a "natural" looking way!!! (if that makes sense!) You just have to make sure they look tidy and smart, without taking away from their native look.

Is your PB reg'd? You should get her reg'd with the WPCS, then you can do all their PB classes etc with her too.

For local shows though, it's more about going along, having a go and ENJOYING yourself!

If I were you, I'd get them tidied up, pull the mane so it is level, but not short, and just make sure your appearance is smart/tidy. Plain bridle/halter for M&M, but you can "bling" yourself up a touch to keep femininity! (I show in RH classes and I have a show cane with diamonte's around the top to match my browband/tie/hair bobble!!!!) It makes up for when I have to be more subtle with my M&M!!!!! He is a dun connemara with LOTS of hair! We just keep his mane level and tidy about mid neck length, and his tail smart and trimmed (but long). Whiskers trimmed, and beard tidy (and short, nothing worse than not being able to see the outline of a pretty head because of a foot of under-beard!)

I hope you have fun though and do really well! Keep us informed!!

Good luck xx
 
Any M&M part bred i've had/have is pulled, plaited & trimmed up - how part breds should be shown in 99% of cases. Most shows around here state in M&M clases that ponies need to be registered and part breds to be plaited :)

If you're going in an unreg M&M class then i'd still pull the main to about 6/7", trim jaw line and protruding ear hair, trim tail in to a nice natural U shape at the bottom :)

Natural is only really natural in highland, fell, dales, shetty, exmoor & dartmoor classes these days - even those are neatened up to look better but still very natural ;)
 
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