In Hand Showing - Advice Please

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AllTheBees

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My 16 year old KWPN is now fully retired from ridden work so he can't be a dressage diva anymore. I quite fancy doing a bit of in-hand, fun showing with him - just to get out. There's an indoor show near me next month.

He is a fur-ball - winter coat more shetland than warmblood and I'm going to clip him anyway because he's sweating in the stable in these mild temperatures. (It's not cushings - he just lived out year round for 6 years before I got him). Will trim his feathers but leave his legs unclipped as he's turned out daily.

Just wanted a bit of advice for in hand - what to wear both him and me - especially as it's coming to winter and he is really quite furry. He's very competitive and embarrasses easily, so don't want to let him down, even though it's just for fun! ;-)
 
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i used to wear light colour trousers(like jodhpurs colour) shirt and tie, tweed or show jacket and hat and gloves. horse wore snaffle in hand bridle, and had mane and tail plaited....i did quite well in local classes and then managed to win my 3 yr old class at essex county and best 2yr old in 2 & 3 yr old class at herts county wearing those clothes but that was some years ago. i think look like you have taken it seriously and dress smartly and you cant go too far wrong.. have fun...
 
It depends on what build he is as to whether you go for a plain browband or a coloured one. Turnout for the handler is the same regardless. Given that he is 16 you can show him in a double bridle/Pelham. This is preferable to a snaffle or inhand bridle.

Quarter markers depend on his type and the shape or his rear end. You want to enhance it. Sometimes 2 or 3 stripes with dragons teeth and the end squared off makes it look.more plump, a V with teeth and squaring can make it look.more rounded. Play about, see which looks best.
 
He is warmblood, reasonably fine, will have hunter clip and be trimmed, plaited mane, pulled tail. He's bright bay, until clipped, but can't do a lot about his furry legs except trim. He's never worn a Pelham or double bridle so was thinking plain bridle (dark havana) with his eggbutt snaffle. While it's only a local show, want to make an effort. Thanks for yr input. x
 
Read the show rules carefully, some won't allow non ridden horses to be clipped, especially a hunter clip.

I know it sounds really obvious but make sure you keep him warm when standing around! Cold horses don't show themselves well nor enjoy it. I was stewarding at the weekend and in a large inhand class a couple of fully clipped ones were stood in line shivering away
 
Thank you catroo. That was my major concern re clipping. Although he's not in work - he does does need clipping. He's always been a hairy beast in his winter coat. Never seen a WB so fluffy!! Maybe we just wait until summer to make our debut 😊
 
any class that a 16year old WB could go in will be fine for clipping, it is youngstock and some M&M breeds that dont like clipping
 
You wont be marked down if you just go for a bib and belly clip to make him more comfortable - don't worry about him being fluffy, it's expected at this time of year!
 
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