In hand showing

Fiona_C

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Am taking the asbo elf to a show on sunday (hopefully) just for a look round, although may get talked into taking him into the youngstock in hand class.

What do I need to wear?
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Haven't acquired an in hand bridle either yet, can I show him in an ordinary one?
 
Hi

I'm no expert here, but I did IH with my baby last year so here's what I wore and wasn't out of place...
Hacking Jacket (not black at all!), trousers of matching colour, although if you horses legs are dark, wear light and visa versa - Judge needs be able to differentiate whose legs are whose!
Hat, gloves, cane NOT BLACK (a county judge told me that) although my hat is black as wasn't buying yet another
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short boots, long ones will make you fall over
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bought second hand, in hand bridle - use with leather lead rein, or normal bridle with reins and noseband.
Said County Judge also said if pony is 'standard colour' ie same colour as all the others - you wear something striking, eg bright coloured tie....

Like i say - no expert, but we did OK!

GOOD LOOK - GIVE IT A GO!
 
If its local, just have fun...dont be too fussy with clothing..what i mean is dont go spending a fortune.....black trousers with a nice white/pale blue/cream/pink shirt looks smart....with white trainers.....if you want to really look smart and dont mind spending some money then you cn always buy a nice tweed jacket...
as for the inhand bridle thing........how old is he? breed?...if he is a welsh cob then a white halter will be fine..if hes older than 2 then you have to wear a bridle if not gelded (geldings are fine in white halters)...just use a normal bridle if you dont want to buy an inhand bridle...but i would recommend you buy some inhand reins as it will be better to show him off and will be easier to handle...
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I would take this as a bit of fun, as helenhorse says. I did this in the ridden classes when my baby was a youngster. She got marked down badly for not having ideal conformation for an appalousa, wouldn't mind but she is a bloody knabstrupper!!!

Enjoy your day, don't worry too much about your appearance, as long as it's tidy and safe, they should be more interested in the horse. Just be pleased with his efforts (assuming he makes some effort!!!) regardless of placing.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!
 
Thank you
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he is a section a, and it will be for experience and fun only. Its both of our first time out showing in hand, elf is the little bay in my sig. Will I be ok wearing black trousers against his black legs?? The rest of the clothing are not a problem, already have those as well as 2 smart tweeds.

Hmmmmm
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elf is 3, and has a tiny head (shetland sized), wonder if I'd be better with a white halter rather than an inhand bridle?

HELP lol.
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Okay, for ELF you would wear: cream or mustard trousers, plain white shirt, hacking jacket, and just your jodh boots. You don't HAVE to wear a hat, but it's seen as better manners towards the judge if you do, you can wear your riding hat or borrow my inhand hat
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A plain white halter will do for ELF. HWH do them i think.... but you may do fine just popping him in a little bridle and using a newmarket chain (I have one of those too) and a smart leadrope. Failing that try robinsons for a cheap in-hand bridle. It will always come in handy for junior handler classes etc
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one of my pet peeves in the ring is lead ropes! if you use a newmarket chain then please please get a proper leather lead for it. A rope realy spoils the picture i find.

I would wear what charlie said except i would say cream shirt would make you look less washed out (stick a white one in the wash with a cheap yellow duster)

Also i would say as it is both of your first time at a show and he is quite young then i would deffiantely wear a hard hat, a velvet riding hat is ideal.
I show a few babies and for thier first show I always wear a hard hat as they are so unpredictable and several of the babies ive shown have spent most of thier first show on thier back legs (in which case we never actualy made it to the ring untill they learnt to walk on all 4's).
 
FDont go putting a tacky foal slip etc on him for shows or those hunter baby halters ona section A!!!! it doesnt look nice at all...as he is native, a nice thin white rope halter looks much better, or get a proper leather in hand bridle with a rubber bit...that also looks smart and proffesional:)
 
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