Judges expectations at winter Shetland show

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JesterandPatch

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Contemplating taking the mini's out for their first show experience in a couple of weeks, not expecting great things but would like to introduce them to the scene for a bit of life experience.

Its a Shetland show and has a foal class, was going to take them both but just show one as only got one pair of hands.

There is no way I am going to bathe them prior, I am not planning on rugging either at any point in their lives and don't want them to lose their natural waterproof coats that they have built up, despite looking like drowned rats yesterday they were toasty, warm and dry by their skin.
so armed with a bit of Cowboy magic for any grass stains on the white bits and a good brush will make them presentable as possible.

Do judges normally make allowances for time of year? I don't want to be the only person to turn up with two scruff balls, but, having said that I don't have to enter once there if I decide not to.

thank you
 
JesterandPatch said:
Contemplating taking the mini's out for their first show experience in a couple of weeks, not expecting great things but would like to introduce them to the scene for a bit of life experience.

Its a Shetland show and has a foal class, was going to take them both but just show one as only got one pair of hands.

There is no way I am going to bathe them prior, I am not planning on rugging either at any point in their lives and don't want them to lose their natural waterproof coats that they have built up, despite looking like drowned rats yesterday they were toasty, warm and dry by their skin.
so armed with a bit of Cowboy magic for any grass stains on the white bits and a good brush will make them presentable as possible.

Do judges normally make allowances for time of year? I don't want to be the only person to turn up with two scruff balls, but, having said that I don't have to enter once there if I decide not to.

thank you
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Will you have someone there to help you? I'm just thinking if they have been running together since weaning all hell may break loose if you take one away and leave the other on the lorry on his own!

I think you'll be fine not bathing provided they're not scruffy, maybe just stain remove and hot cloth.
Shetlands seem to be the least trimmed/tidied of all the Native Breeds.

I'm assuming you've practiced standing them up and trotting in hand. We have showed a couple of Welsh Yearlings this year and had great fun, though they do have their moments 🤣

Maybe try to find some photos from last year's event to give you an idea what you'll be up against and give you some hints. Good Luck!
 
If you’re just going for experience then I wouldn’t worry about it tbh.

If it’s the breed show then I would expect the turnout standard to be high amongst the well seasoned folk aiming to compete, but I’m sure there will be plenty like yourself there for educational purposes.

Do what’s best for you, it’s not worth worrying about for the sake of one show.
 
HopOnTrot said:
I don’t think one bath will be detrimental, daughter’s pony probably gets one a month through winter and is still a big warm floof the rest of the time.

I don’t think showing judges are famed for their leniency towards to natural look!
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Think it might take a week for them to dry out fully they are so hairy, might wash legs and tail so at least have a few clean bits
 
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minesadouble said:
Will you have someone there to help you? I'm just thinking if they have been running together since weaning all hell may break loose if you take one away and leave the other on the lorry on his own!

I think you'll be fine not bathing provided they're not scruffy, maybe just stain remove and hot cloth.
Shetlands seem to be the least trimmed/tidied of all the Native Breeds.

I'm assuming you've practiced standing them up and trotting in hand. We have showed a couple of Welsh Yearlings this year and had great fun, though they do have their moments 🤣

Maybe try to find some photos from last year's event to give you an idea what you'll be up against and give you some hints. Good Luck!
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I'm dragging my partner along as not confident towing alone, he can be unpaid groom, pony holder, snack giver, haven't managed to persuade him to actually show the other one but at least he can hold him ringside so he can see his buddy.
I've literally done the basics with them so trot up could be interesting but like I said, no expectations, I've struggled to find headcollars to fit them both until now but both stand fairly nicely when asked.
I have studied all the previous show pictures , I have noticed the judges definitely prefer the solid colours where as mine are piebald, skewbald but we can try :) 😀
 
VictoriaSponge said:
If you’re just going for experience then I wouldn’t worry about it tbh.

If it’s the breed show then I would expect the turnout standard to be high amongst the well seasoned folk aiming to compete, but I’m sure there will be plenty like yourself there for educational purposes.

Do what’s best for you, it’s not worth worrying about for the sake of one show.
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Thank you, I'm definitely there to learn and pick up some helpful tips, or equally we may all hate it and never do it again 🤣
 
Been there- not with Shetties but with youngstock and native youngstock. All hairy.

I’d wash manes and tails and legs in as hot water as I can get my hands on mid winter.

Buy a well fitting set of snuggy hoods summer bug bodies- usually on sale about now. Including the Body and head/neck. More ideally, two sets per pony. If not snuggys, any sweet itch type turnout set.

A week out, wash manes, add snuggys. The dirt doesn’t get worse and the grime will adhere to the snuggy. Switch it daily, wash one set and wear the other (with a lightweight turnout over it) all week, wash tail and legs and maybe sponge the mane the day before, then on show day, groom ponies and off you go. The hair will be flatter, ponies look sleek and their manes a bit tamer too.
 
katastrophykat said:
Been there- not with Shetties but with youngstock and native youngstock. All hairy.

I’d wash manes and tails and legs in as hot water as I can get my hands on mid winter.

Buy a well fitting set of snuggy hoods summer bug bodies- usually on sale about now. Including the Body and head/neck. More ideally, two sets per pony. If not snuggys, any sweet itch type turnout set.

A week out, wash manes, add snuggys. The dirt doesn’t get worse and the grime will adhere to the snuggy. Switch it daily, wash one set and wear the other (with a lightweight turnout over it) all week, wash tail and legs and maybe sponge the mane the day before, then on show day, groom ponies and off you go. The hair will be flatter, ponies look sleek and their manes a bit tamer too.
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thank you, will definitely look to invest in some snuggys, they are only 7 months at the moment so dont want to spend too much on stuff they will quickly grow out of, although FB marketplace is a gem for picking up bargains.
 
Funnily enough I was thinking the exact same for my mini (maybe it’s the same show?). If I go I’ll probably just give a good groom and spot clean anything particularly obvious
 
SpotsandBays said:
Funnily enough I was thinking the exact same for my mini (maybe it’s the same show?). If I go I’ll probably just give a good groom and spot clean anything particularly obvious
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Taunton area one?
Some mornings I wake up and think what's the worse than can happen I will just go, but this morning he looked such a mess I was thinking crikey, no, but he looked tidier this afternoon if that's possible 🤣🤣
 
JesterandPatch said:
Taunton area one?
Some mornings I wake up and think what's the worse than can happen I will just go, but this morning he looked such a mess I was thinking crikey, no, but he looked tidier this afternoon if that's possible 🤣🤣
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Ah not the same one then!
I know exactly what you mean 🤣 I’d like to think that expectations are slightly lower for winter showing but i guess we’ll both find out!
 
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