Lead Rein showing advice

[melle]

So we ventured out for our third ever lead rein class today with our standard Shetland (6 y.o) and my 6 year old daughter. We came third last again in a big class and I just wondered if anyone has any advice on how to improve!! I can't seem to get my head round what they are looking for - its definitely not marked on the child's riding as some are very young and just bobble about. The usual show pony types win which I can understand but we were also marked lower than quite a few less than smart ponies and a couple of naughty ones - one kept breaking into canter.

I wear black trousers, grey hacking jacket and shirt and tie with hat. We sort of match (me and my daughter) but it is only local level so I haven't gone the whole hog and bought a proper outfit. The pony does fidget in the line up. She is nicely put together and won a bit in hand as a three year old at proper Shetland shows. She did a nice quiet calm show.

There were two other shetlands in the class today that placed above us.

What are the judges actually marking you on? How can we improve?

Or shall I just admit defeat and get them jumping stuff and move on to the more fun stuff!! Although I never admit it, I am a little bit competitive and would like to be in with a chance at placing if we are making the effort to turn up!

 

[Equi]

Turn out is massive in these classes. I'd go the whole hog and get outfits. There is one lady and daughter who win every class here because they are turned out immaculately. Pony is bog standard nothing special.

 

[be positive]

A photo would be useful as often there is something obvious that you may not see, I would put a pony down if it fidgeted in the line up or wouldn't stand at the start or finish of the show, even if you think the judge is not watching an experienced person will sense what is going on in the line and fidgeting is not ideal in a LR class, otherwise you need to do your best with the turnout and ensure the child is seen to be riding and you just there as a safety net having little influence on what the pony is doing, if it has been shown in hand make sure you are not taking control too much especially when standing up for the judge, the pony should be "presented" by the rider not the leader.

 

[HuntingMadImmy]

I agree, turn out is a big deal!!! Especially if your pony is a typical breed. Also you have to dress appropriately, which you seem to be doing, but it depends on the judge ect. Some mums do go all out, especially the pony club mums! And some times tack and the correct placement of the lead rope is important- yes me and my 6 year old cousin came last because I had the lead rope on his bit and not on the nose band !

 

[WelshD]

The look you are aiming for is a governess style mumsy squeeky clean look so no shirt and tie, you ideally should be in a skirt or coulottes (navy is always safe but brown or dark green would be ok, avoid black) then a frilly lead rein shirt tucked in and/or a high neck jacket, a suitable hat, brown or navy gloves, navy flat shoes and a show cane

riding wear is not really correct so I wouldn't wear the hacking jacket

Its can actually be inexpensive to kit yourself out, a lady I used to see locally had a nice quality skirt from the high street, frilly blouse and a navy cardigan, they won loads in that get up, her daughter wore a blue based tweed jacket. Another wore a brown tweedy checked skirt suit from a high street shop and her child a brown based tweed

If you arent going to match exactly then do as the mums above did and go plain but complimentary -

this is a prime example of a complimentary get up - http://www.lodgefarmriding.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/img177.jpg

Spend more money on the shirt/jacket and hat than the skirt and shoes. Look at pics from event photographers for inspiration - Emmpix and Equinational are two that put pics online

There is a lively secondhand market in items that would be suitable, Horse Gossip forum is a good start as are the Facebook groups:

Show Gear for sale and wanted
Secondhand show gear
Lead rein equipment

As for the rest of it make sure the rider looks right on the pony, too tall a rider will spoil the picture, they dont want to be very very actively riding (flapping legs) or steering the pony with huge movements, the pony should be looking to the leader and not the rider for instructions and go off the slightest move from the leader and stand absolutely still otherwise. Many lead rein ponies will not even move in the car park without a leader!

hold the leadrein and cane in the outside hand leaving the inside one free to steady the leg of the rider if needed

If you pony is well trained you can sometime gain extra brownie points by swapping sides half way across the diagonal so you always stay on the outside during your individual show, you have to get the pony to stop stock still on the diagonal and move across the front of the pony to the other side - if you cant do this flawlessly dont attempt it!

Little riders than can change their diagonals in trot will impress

when stood in line pony must stand still, the judge will be noticing if not, pony needs to stand on a long rein not with your hand under its chin

 

[melle]

Ok - this may be where we feel down then. Lots of fidgeting and rubbing her head on me. Then when we stood up for judge she wouldn't stand square and fidgeted half way through. That's encouraging as I can work on this.

 

[melle]

Thank you - this is so helpful. Lots to work on!!!

 

[be positive]

Ok - this may be where we feel down then. Lots of fidgeting and rubbing her head on me. Then when we stood up for judge she wouldn't stand square and fidgeted half way through. That's encouraging as I can work on this.

That certainly will be letting you down, the pony should be quiet enough for the judge to be able to imagine the child is totally in control and the leader is almost superfluous, apart from being smart and holding the lead rein, it should be something you can improve with some work you don't even need the rider on board to get basic manners instilled fairly easily.