In-hand showing with me having mobility problems!

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Kath0711

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Hi Guys!

i have a 5yro 17hh TB who I intend to start showing in hand in March. The problem is following a serious car accident 4 years ago I was told I wouldn't walk again. I am now walking and can even mange a jog. The problem is I have a horse with very long legs and a very fast trot that I currently can't keep up with! In fact he's in more of a fast jog than a trot. My friend is a keen runner so is going to give me some coaching but I was wondering two things:

1) can I wear trainers in a novice class?
or
2) is someone else allowed to do the trot up for me?

its been a few years since I've been to one so am a bit out of date!

Thanks xxxxx
 
Yes you can try and get all white or all black trainers/shoes (no flashy ones :D)

Normally they wont allow two handlers in the class :(

Practice at home though will be key. Good luck!
 
Firstly well done getting back on your feet despite being told you would not, it is likely that spurred you on to prove doctors wrong.

Footwear is not really ruled so trainers, preferably dark coloured so they do not stand out, will be fine.
The trotting is more difficult, I have known someone be allowed a runner in a ridden class but in hand is different as you usually walk round in a group then trot individually before being pulled into line, changing handler in the first trot could be tricky without holding things up, even the individual show would mean your friend taking him out to present to the judge and doing the whole thing, changing at some point would lose the flow.

I think if you are going to show your horse you should enjoy the taking part in full, they do not have to trot really fast, unlike the welsh cobs, a sedate well presented show will be sufficient if everything else is correct, manners, turnout, conformation and straight movement will count for a lot more than a flashy trot.
 
Thanks! This is going to be more of a sprint than a run I think! Will practice with and without him. Luckily he's the sweetest horse in the world who will forgive me most things! I would go for ridden classes instead but he currently has no brakes or steering. He's not naughty just doesn't have a clue! Not the most intelligent of horses bless him

Xxxx
 
Be worth doing a load of ground work with him so that you can get him going and stopping from your voice!

Good luck!
 
Thanks! He has perfect conformation and is very very pretty. I'm hoping that will help a lot! He has a lot of potential and for his age and breed is very chilled out

Xxx
 
I'm currently clicker training him along with voice training. He came from a racing yard that didn't do any schooling. Come spring he will be in full work

Xxx
 
You sound similar to me RE walking and running after an accident. I have shown my grey arab in-hand and she's very good to me, so walks and trots at exactly the pace I go. She was perfectly behaved, but of course I can't really 'show off' her paces so she placed lower than she would have with a more agile/less limpy handler. I really took her with training and giving her a good experience in mind, rather than winning.
 
Teach him at home to do a slow floating trot, not a fast one, and if it goes tits up, never mind you did it and will do it again.

You can get jogger boots with steel caps so no worry about horse standing on toes which to me is abig bug bear when trotting a horse up.
 
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I think many judges would allow you to have a runner, however you would have to ask the judge via the steward before the class or even ring the show sec first. I know of several 'elderly' ladies who have runners in M & M classes and my mother ( 75 ) will be joining them this year having gone A over T on the end of a brood mare last year!
Good luck with the running practice but please stay safe.
 
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