In Hand showing - Tell me everything!

[Llee94]

In-hand showing is something I have never ventured into as I like to just stick to my eventing. However, I have seen that a little local show on the 19th have got some in-hand classes and one is for full thoroughbreds under 4 years old and I thought it would be nice to take my baby to have a go.
I took him to a show about 2 weeks ago to walk around and take it all in and he acted like a pro so I think he would be okay to stand in a ring with others.
I just need to know everything about it.
Does he need to be plaited? What do I need to wear? What will he need to wear? What will I be asked to do? Roughly how long would you expect to be in the ring?
I will only be doing it for a bit of fun and to get him out and experiencing parties before he goes eventing. I am not looking at getting placed as he has a recent injury which although completely healed, has left a mark and a slight swelling due to a haematoma which is thankfully going down but still visible if you look close enough so I know they wont like that very much.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I am guessing it will be judged as an in hand hunter class would be.

So all horses will walk round and then will be asked to trot past the judge. The judge will pick his/her line up and the steward will call in the horses.

Each horse will then stand up in front of the judge. Walk away and trot back before returning to the line.

Turn the horse out as a hunter, plaited, plain bridle with a single lead rein if using a snaffle or double reins if using a pelham or double bridle. Quarter mark him as a hunter.

You wear hacking jacket, shirt and tie, smart trousers that compliment the jacket, gloves and a cane. I prefer to see ladies in a velvet cap with a hairnet and no ear rings, although it is fine to wear a flat cap or nice hat with hair tidy again.

Good luck and have fun.