Individual shows in classes

[Rachaelf]

Hi I don't do much showing so I'm fairly clueless as to what to do to show off my pony when asked to do an individual show.

Usually I walk away do a serpentine in trot, figure of eight in canter and then an extended canter down the longside.

Does this sound ok?, has anyone got any suggestions of what to do for an individual show?

Thanks

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I do the same, except I do a trot figure of eight (instead of a serpentine) and do Medium trot as I change rein.

 

[FMM]

That sounds like quite a long show to me!
Why not change it slightly and try something like:

Walk away from the judge for about 5 seconds, then trot the first part of a figure of eight, come across the diagonal and start the second part of the figure of eight, when you reach the first corner start your canter serpentine.

If you are feeling flash (and your horse is happily able to carry out the following) then do a trot change of leg for the first loop, and on the second one perhaps go into halt, rein back, then walk to canter for the second loop, then lengthen down the long side.

Finish with a strong trot sideways onto the judge (not coming straight towards her).

If your horse is not confident with walk to canter and rein back, them a simple change would also look great.

 

[virtual]

I agree with FMM, although the show is along the right lines, it seems very long. You only need to do trot on one rein, one canter on each rein and an extended canter or gallop. Most people base it on a figure of 8 (doing the first loop in trot and the second loop in canter, then along the long side in canter on the other rein), rather than doing 2 figures of 8 (one in trot, one in canter). A serpentine is great for an equitation class, or if you're right down the bottom of the line and have nothing to loose!

 

[silversox]

As a 'local' Judge I much prefer to watch an individual show along the lines which 'virtual' has given above. No matter how nice the pony is, if too much time is spent at walk and trotting a figure of eight then they might temporarily lose the Judge's attention. A short, but accurate show is more likely to impress a Judge than rein-back, walk to canter etc.

I would say keep it short and simple.

 

[Rachaelf]

Hi, thanks for the advice.

I only do one serpentine, but the judge normally asks for trot on both reins so I thought a serpentine was a quick way of showing off both reins- or do you think its too complex?

Sometimes I do 2 demi volte, from what you've said that sounds too much.

 

[virtual]

By demi volte do you mean 2 half circles? That's fine, it's just a variation on 2 loops (ie one trot, one canter), as long as you do them as large as you would loops (ie not the normal 8 or 10m demi voltes).

I can't remember any judge asking me for trot on both reins, but if they do, you can do 2 trot loops/half circles, or trot down the long side, canter in the corner and do a loop, canter on the other rein and extend, come back to trot down the next long side and halt on the short side - therefore trotting on both reins.