In-hand showing.... advice please

[ghosthooves]

Well last fri we had a little show on my yard and a couple of the ones I took Selica in were in-hand. She placed well in them (got a first and a second) but there a couple of erm "issues"

She's a 15.2 arab and has that wonderful elevated trot but she also was getting a little bit excited (no change there then

). Problem I had was obviously I was on the outside and she was on the inside, and she kept trying to walk on the outside track and as a result we had to stop a couple of times as she got in front of me and ran me into a wall. I tried giving her more rein...she tried to run ahead

.
(Hope that made sense)
I'd like to improve this before summer I'm hopefully going to show her this year (provided I manage to curb my spending

)

Anyone have any tips for how to improve on this?

 

[Theresa_F]

When training Chancer, I have my hand fairly near to his head so I can push him away if he gets too close. when showing I have it further down so his head is not restricted.

In my other hand my cane is carried with my hand about half way in the middle when trotting up again so I can gently push it at his head with the end to keep him away from me. I tend to hold my cane up round corners to push him round at shows if he falls in. We are normally moving fast when trotting out and I have to be careful I don't become unbalanced round the corners.

Lots of practice getting the horse to respect your space and walk and trot nicely with you not in front or behind, ideally shoulder to shoulder with a foot between you at all times. You also need to work on corners and turns, again with the horse keeping beside you at a set distance. He should spring into trot but not tank off.

Eventually you should achieve something like this:

Ideally Chancer should be a little more forward but he is only just 3 in this photo and I am very much a novice amateur still. I have managed to get my steps so my legs match his which creates a nice neat picture.

Good luck and remember to have fun.

 

[ghosthooves]

Thanks

 

[piebaldsparkle]

WOW Theresa, I didn't reliese how stunning Chancer is. What a great pic.

 

[silversox]

As much as I hate to see it, when Arabs are shown at their own breed shows, many of the handlers allow them to do this, even pulling up at the first corner, spinning round and starting off again along the next side.

Theresa's advice is excellent, though. I would much rather judge a horse with manners and who 'listens' to his handler than one that's all over the place.

 

[Theresa_F]

Thank you. He has had 18" of mane removed this year (sob sob sob) as he is up against adults and although his flowing locks were beautiful, they did not help the weak neck.

Luckily growing over 1" a month so by the time he is 5 and hopefully starting to look more mature he will be able to wear the long mane.

He looks very different - his mane is more like a welshie at the moment and it does make him look more chunky.

I agree about manners. One thing I do get is that Chancer should be more sparky and slightly naughty - however, I prefer my well trained little pest and he doesn't do that badly.