Lead Rein Pony - First Season - HELP!

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penelopeh

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Hello,
Please could anyone give me some advice? This season we're looking to do lead rein pony for the first time. When I say we I mean a nervous adult, a 5year old girl and a Welsh Section A.
We're going to watch a few competitions before we go into the ring ourselves but could anyone give me any early pointers regarding ringcraft, dress etc...?
Thanks in advance,
P
 
What in particular are you not sure about ?
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Any pics of pony ?
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Col x
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hello,
Please could anyone give me some advice? This season we're looking to do lead rein pony for the first time. When I say we I mean a nervous adult, a 5year old girl and a Welsh Section A.
We're going to watch a few competitions before we go into the ring ourselves but could anyone give me any early pointers regarding ringcraft, dress etc...?
Thanks in advance,
P [/quote

Me too,although my sons only 2 I need to start picking up pointers!!
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Not a natural with computers so no idea how to add photos.

I'd just be grateful to know the basics really. What should we wear, should we match, do I need to wear a hat and what should we do in the ring? The main things are we have fun and look vaguely as shough we know what we're doing.

Thanks alot,

Px
 
lead rein is VERY competitive! yes yoour outfit should match childs jacket etc and be in sync with pony color etc! pony should be fully plaited and fully trimmed! best quality english tack, showing saddle, slim leather girth, gloves (jockey and leader to match outfits!)you will need to walk and trot idealy on a loose lead rein, pony showing exceptional paces and jockey being capable and correct (established position, correct diagonal, established rising trot and smiling, not looking petrified!!!!) yes you need to wear a hat and have a ready groom to bring the basket in (with brushes oil cloth etc for pony and drinks and sweets and bribes for little jockey to keep little jockey smiling and sweet whilst in ring) and said groom also needs a hat!!! and as for fun well its a little bit like watching paint dry! Enjoy!!! and your game will need to be high!!!
 
Hello,
You should wear the same colours as the rider realy. As you are showing an m&m you should wear tweed as should the jockey. You can buy matching sets of outfit. You should wear a skirt although some do wear trousers and yes you should wear a hat.
When leading the pony the lead rein should be attached to the nose band and you should hold the leadrein in your left hand. The lead rein should be a leather one.
You ride all together on the right rein so you are on the outside then the steward will stop you and you will one at a time trot from the frone to the back of the ride. You should run at the ponies shoulder and never in front also you should be away from the ponies side. You are there just to look prity the jocky should be controling the pony. In your indervidual show you should walk away from the judge then trot a figer of eight come back to walk, walk twords the judge halt and the jocky should salute. Then you go back in line.
I hope this is of some help to you. Feel free to ask me for any more advice if you wish. The most important thing is you all enjoy it. Remember smile it's supposed to be fun.
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edited to say. You don't platt or trim M&Ms
 
If you are talking local shows, Then matching really does not matter, Ideally you as the leader should be in a skirt/jacket/comfortable shoes that will tie in well with your outfit, also making sure that you are able to run in them .
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Your outfit and your little riders outfit should compliment the pony .

Just a few pics of our time doing lead rein ....

Show hunter
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M&M Welsh Section A lead rein .....

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And one of the line up ... Just to give you an idea on attire ...
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As for ringcraft, Your child should be able to do a rising trot, Judge will not mind if child holds onto the front of the saddle
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Judge will pull you out from the line up and ask you to stand the pony up nice and square, whilst she/he judges conformation, You will then be asked to walk away from the judge and then turn and trot back .
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Pony should be well turned out ie plain bridle, no coloured browband for m&m ponies
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mane and tail scrubbed and conditioned . Straight cut saddle .

I'm just throwing out random advice as it comes into my head ( watching american idol also
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Hope this is a starting point .
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Col x
 
Look forward to hearing how you get on as we are also lead rein showing novices! I've spent the evening deciding on what outfit I want and will have to get made as can't find any to fit son and I second hand. New pony has been a top First Ridden and no idea how he will be on the lead rein but I'm looking forward to some nice family days out, and it'll certainly make a change from hanging around BSJA shows every weekend!
 
No plaiting if you are in m&m and minimal trimming. Plain browband. No need for groom as lead reins are not stripped.
Matching tweed is nice but not essential at local level. If the class is judged on pony (county level always is) no need to worry too much about jockey's level of competence - especially if said jock is a tiny tot but better riding will complement the overall picture.
It wold be helpful to know whether you plan to show at local level or county for more tips but above all ENJOY - especially where a young rider is involved - good luck!

Edited to add - ringcraft tip - find the raggiest worst turned out pony in the collecting ring and make sure you get in the ring behind it for the go-round - try to avoid being behind the best pony in the class!!!
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I've only ever been in one LR class that expected the ponies to be stripped and children to trot the ponies up... was interesting to say the least LOL.

Try Mrs Candy's and Pretty Ponies for lead rein stuff. Mrs Candys goes to all the main shows and are really really helpful, your one stop shop infact (no, I don't work for them!)
 
Lead rein pony is probably the only way to start the really little ones in the ring but - IMO - it can be an absolutely horrible experience. For both mum and child. Do go to a few shows first and have a real think about this.

I've seen this from both sides. My daughter was the "jockey" to a leading show producer and did very well - on her ponies and with her - at shows. But some of the Mum's were incredible - and I don't mean in a good way. I've seen some appalling things in the colecting ring. If you have a really good LR pony and showing is really what you want to go for then don't let me put you off. Find out what you need to know and go for it. If you are good at this it can be great.

But if you want to just get little out and about a bit with ned then please do look at small shows which have novelty classes like fancy dress, best 6 legs or lead rein Gymkhana games. Much more fun for little one and far less vicious.

The pray and wait for the time they get old enough to do something sensible like show jumping!

I know there are people who love showing, understand it and are very good at it. I don't mean to insult anyone - we each tread our own horsey path. For my daughter and I (She's 10 now btw) we were both very glad to be able to turn our backs on showing (other than the odd fancy dress!) and get into another disicpline. Mind you - SJ mums sometimes aren't much better!
 
If I post some pics would anyone mind giving me an honest critique of my sec a please? Looking to start LR next year with my youngest (3 next month) and really not sure if we'd managed to progress any further than local shows. Pony is new to us, arrived after being out of work for a year and is very overweight, something which is being worked on! I'll take some pics at the yard tonight, bear in mind she's likely to be filthy as well as overweight/unfit ;)

I guess what I want to know is does she have potential? A lot of people have said she'll do great but I'm after the opinions of more knowledgable folks, lol.
 
Araboo27 said:
If I post some pics would anyone mind giving me an honest critique of my sec a please? Looking to start LR next year with my youngest (3 next month) and really not sure if we'd managed to progress any further than local shows. Pony is new to us, arrived after being out of work for a year and is very overweight, something which is being worked on! I'll take some pics at the yard tonight, bear in mind she's likely to be filthy as well as overweight/unfit ;)

I guess what I want to know is does she have potential? A lot of people have said she'll do great but I'm after the opinions of more knowledgable folks, lol.
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I would start a new thread as this will probably get overlooked as it is ancient.
 
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