M&M Working Hunter

Mia2004

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Hello all!

I’ve had an amazing opportunity this year to show a Connie for workers, his owner is very hopeful he’ll qualify for Royal international and other equally important sounding shows, but we’re starting off at county level.

I’ve trolled the forum already and gotten a basic knowledge of what I’ll need to do/wear and what my pony will also need to wear, however I am a stickler for traditional etiquette and the little details.

Due to the hope of ‘making it’ I would like make sure my outfit was correct from the start so I don’t have to buy twice.

This is something I have never done so every detail would be muchly appreciated!

So as I understand the showing part is in three sections, a jumping course, a ridden show and a run up in hand. Do you need to salute the judge before and after the jumping course, I understand this needs to be carried out in a forward canter pace. In the ridden show, do you have to do a rein back or not? And if so where abouts would you place this in your show? And any tips for the running up/stripping off in hand?

For the pony, will he need to be plaited? Just mane or mane and tail? Or will the tail need to be tied up as if he was going hunting? He is 141 so the jumps will be around 2’6-2’9 I believe? He has brown tack, a flat hunter bridle, will he need to be in a snaffle or a Pelham? If in a Pelham what reins should he have and which way round should they go? (As in should the plain on be on the curb and the other on the snaffle), and I think he needs a sheepskin numnah? Is this in his colour or matching the tack?

For myself I have a green tweed jacket with no velvet collar, a yellow shirt and green tie, a blue velvet hat with a flesh harness (I need to tie the ribbons up I believe but I don’t know why), the hat does sit quite deep on my head, does anyone know how I can make the hat more shallow? Or are their other brands that are more shallow? It’s a Charles Owen. Do I need to wear a stock/tie pin? If so a plain one or a lightly decorated one (eg a hunting whip with a horse shoe) I’ve also seen people with collar pins - do I need one of those or not? With or without the chain? Gloves I have both dark brown more like the tack and a lighter brown - which is better? Then I have both canary breeches with suede knees and a light beige pair which I use for hunting but they have a full silicone seat. Are full silicone seats acceptable or will they need to be suede or plain? For a belt - black leather or brown leather? My boots are black with the rounded tops, I think I need to get straight cuts with a garter strap, should I get black or brown? I was going to get a brown leather whip, I wasn’t sure if to get plain or a plaited one that could match a browband of his, or I have also read a hunting whip can be correct. Also spurs or no spurs?

Now evening classes - what are they? And why are they different dress? If we did one of these I think I wear my normal hunting navy wool coat, white stock, plain pin, same hat, beige breeches, hunting whip(?), and my black boots?

Sorry for all the questions! I knew there would be a lot but not this many!
 
What you’re wearing sounds fine, tie pin fairly plain normally for m&m. Remember a hairnet! Any tack goes for wh (obviously the simpler the better but wear what he goes best in- my fell used to jump in a martingale and grackle and did well at county level.) No plaits but Connemaras can be quite well tidied- look at pictures of hoys classes to see how much to pull/ trim. Saddlecloth as discreet as possible and matching tack. No spurs for m&m.

The horses way of going and jumping is really more important as long as you’re turned out relatively correctly which it sounds as though you will be. Plenty of people jumped at Hoys last year with body protectors and skull caps so I wouldn’t panic too much about buying new boots etc!
 
Also is he 14.1hh or 141cm? And have you got a LHC? Ponies 133- 143cm jump Min 75cms Max 90cms (but realistically it’s up at the higher end and can be 5cm higher at finals and ponies exceeding 143 is Max 1m
 
If you can I would book a couple of lessons with a good show producer. Get advice on your individual show and running up. It will be invaluable if your going in at county level. Plus its always good to have an honest appraisal from unbiased party!
 
If you can I would book a couple of lessons with a good show producer. Get advice on your individual show and running up. It will be invaluable if your going in at county level. Plus its always good to have an honest appraisal from unbiased party!
This.
Then go and watch winter qualifiers as soon as possible, even if it's plaited classes as they will show you what's required.
 
Have a look on the showing register website. They’ve lots of info. Go and watch exactly the same classes you’ll be competing in and this will give you the best idea.
The judges - there are usually two one for jumping and one for conformation won’t notice what you’re wearing unless it’s obviously different from everyone else.
The best way to start is to book a place at a showing / WHP clinic, if you can’t find a WHP one a flat would be fine to start. The pony needs to be well schooled so that’s maybe something to work on rather than jumping huge jumps.
M&M ponies aren’t plaited in classes for registered M&Ms but some also compete in BSPS open WHP classes when you’ll have to plait. You or the owner need to decide if you’re sticking to purely M&M or trying to do both. If you do both the pony will need to be trimmed a bit and this may loose you a few marks in connie / M&M classes. You can find the rules about trimming on the BCPS website.
 
If you can I would book a couple of lessons with a good show producer. Get advice on your individual show and running up. It will be invaluable if your going in at county level. Plus its always good to have an honest appraisal from unbiased party!
Thank you, where is the best place to find show producers?
 
Whereabouts in the country are you? I'm sure between us we can recommend someone. Not all producers treat their horses ethically and should probably be avoided!
In Devon
Definitely want to find someone good and nice! We’re not out to win it, just to have a good time and a placing will be a bonus!
 
In Devon
Definitely want to find someone good and nice! We’re not out to win it, just to have a good time and a placing will be a bonus!
That looks like NPS Area 10 - I've just had a quick look on Facebook and they have their spring show in April. Even if you don't compete it's worth going to have a look.

Our local NPS have held some open shows that I've taken my cob to just for experience, so it's worth seeing if Devon do the same.
 
nothing else to add, other than black boots if you decide to buy new ones! you definitely don’t need to go out and buy straight top ones though, workers classes are a bit more flexible on turnout than flat classes.

pelham is more correct, but no point using one if he goes better in a snaffle! plaited snaffle rein, plain curb rein - the “proper” ones are one smooth piece with no buckle to join the 2 sides, if you can grasp what i mean from that awful description😂

good luck & enjoy! i’m hoping to start my youngsters workers career this year, but we’re definitely only piddling about at local level🤣
 
My daughter does M&M WHP with her Connemara, she has had so much fun over the last couple of years.
Look for your local BSPS shows and try a WHP training stakes. Open to natives and plaiteds you just choose what height course you want to jump (usually 60, 70, 80, 90 1m options) and off you go.
They are a great starting point
No plaiting for Natives. Have a look at some pics from shows for turnout, but don't stress too much, most of the ponies are in jump saddles, no need for straight topped boots and hat is a matter of personal preference.
Pic of my daughter on her lovely Connie
 

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