In hand showing advice please - what can I get away with?!

[starryeyed]

I'm planning on being brave (or stupid??) enough to take Mad Mare to a local show next month as our first official outing - just to see how she copes with being around so many other horses as she hasn't done any shows before. Chances are it'll totally blow her brain and in that case I'll attempt to cling on to her as we "explore" the showground, then take her home again and we'll try another time if I'm still alive.
If she manages to keep her feet on the floor and is vaguelly controllable then I may enter her in an in-hand class. If.

I'm just after a bit of advice on what's the absolute minimum we can get away with buying?! I don't want to spend a fortune only to use it once or twice if she really doesn't take to it as she's already quite good at helping me spend my precious pennies.

When I've done in hand classes before (a couple of years ago now) I just wore what I'd worn for the ridden classes - black show jacket, beige jods/breeches & long riding boots. I know this isn't exactly correct for inhand so want to try a bit harder this time round! Though saying this, it's only a tiny very local show so not too bothered about not looking perfect - just want to survive the experience really.

I'm already saving for a new hat as my existing one is a fixed peak ventair - bad planning really as I can't XC or show in that!
I take it "serious showing trousers" would be more appropriate than the jods - what kind of shoes would I wear with these? I've been eyeing up the sensible range of cream trousers in M&S as they look like they'd be suitable? Would team them with my jodhpur boots but am a bit wary of chasing round a ring in those as she doesn't "do" slow and I may end up skiing along behind her!

Would my black jacket look terrible with the sensible M&S trousers? Could I get away with it for now, until I can get a nice tweed one in november at your horse live........?

Speaking of tweed! - If/when i splurge on a tweed jacket, what colour would be best? I don't really like the look of the green ones but they seem to be most popular - would a caramel coloured one look too matchy matchy with my dun?

Any other hints/tips/good lucks would be great too! - think I may be going insane even considering this! x

 

[abbijay]

As it's your first try why not have a dig around in charity shops? You will find a pair of appropriate trousers for peanuts. If you both enjoy it then consider £20-30 on a pair from store.
For footwear jodh boots will look the part but being in safe is more important. Flat with good grip and able to run in them are essential. I use my walking boots, they're a dark colour and I know people who use dark coloured trainers. Lace up school type shoes would work too if you have a pair.
You don't have to wear a jacket in hand. A waistcoat is a popular alternative. Shirt and tie at all times!
As for a hat, depending on type, flat caps can look fab but if you are unsure how your horse will react wear your safety hat. Appropriate safety wear should never lose you marks! If you have long hair put it in a bun and in a hairnet.
Brown gloves are the norm too.
As long as you and horse are both clean and tidy then not having the perfect kit at a local show will not be the end of the world. Just go and have fun together.

 

[LauraWheeler]

This is what I show in.

The trousers are beige cord trousers and I wear my jod boots. I also have a scrunchie that matches the tie. (excuse the fact that the tie isn't done up properly it had been a very stressful morning and we only just arrived in time for the class )

Hope this helps.

 

[horsemadelsie]

I wear any old pair of beige trousers on the rare occasion I do in-hand showing (about once every 2 or 3 years!) and last time I wore a very old pair of rubber jod boots, I have seen people running in trainers before (and getting placed) so if you're not in it for the ribbons any plain-ish footwear should be ok. I use my normal bridle (given a good scrub though ) and if you think you may be lacking in the control department I would recommend feeding a chain through the bit rings to the lead (you can buy this all in one) as I used a coupling once and had no control (the judge was a bit scared of us and gave this recommendation!) I used to do the odd ridden class with my black jacket and never got told off for it- if its just a small local show then they are much more forgiving if you just want to take part for the experience, no one has ever been rude to me, even when my youngster was cantering circles round me in the ring (not normal show behaviour i promise!)

 

[SmallHunter]

Here's what I wear for inhand the most expensive things I am wearing are my hat and gloves the rest is all done pretty cheap.

Jacket was £20 in the sale but try charity shops we have just got my dad a new tweed jacket from the charity shop for £3 (it was originally aboout £450)

Shirt is a mens shirt from Asda 2 in a pack for £6.

Tie charity shop £1

Trousers are chino's from Asda £6

Boots are Jod boots that cost a tenner

99p hairnet

Cane £4

 

[Natch]

You probably already own everything major. For your first local show, your show riding gear would honestly be okay. I wouldn't worry about your hat either, if you can't borrow a blue velvet one. Dark gloves, hairnet, shirt and tie, your black jacket would be fine, and cream trousers, from a charity shop if poss. I too have seen people win in trainers, so if you have anything in between such as walking boots that are dark then great. I wouldn't worry about a showing cane for your first forray either. Much though we love horsey shopping and turning ourselves out well, as long as you are smart and neat the judges aren't interested in you, they are interested in your horse.

 

[starryeyed]

Ok brilliant, thank you everyone - will get myself off to some charity shops & do a bit of ebay raiding!
Will definitely be buying a peakless hat purely because I sold my last one (too small!) and haven't got one since so need one anyway... have a velvet cover somewhere too - is a good excuse to splurge plus I don't fancy her feet being near my head if she finds it all far too exciting
horsemadelsie - thank you for the control tip - will probably be needing that!
Will dig out my walking boots as I think they'd probably be ok - the soles are dark, just need to see how well I can run in them!

Those photos are very helpful, thank you - gorgeous horses too x

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

It also depends on what class you are showing your horse in.

Primark has some decent enough trousers for showing upon occassion.

 

[starryeyed]

It would probably only be something like any breed/any age or a dun/palomino class x