Numpty Showing questions from a Showing Novice!

sidesaddlegirl

sidesaddlegirl

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www.sidesaddlegirl.co.uk
So this show that I will be hacking to this summer, has some showing classes that I would like to enter. The only showing I've ever done has been an equitation class at a side saddle only show as I'm dressage only now.

Looking at the list of classes at this show, I found some (cut and pasted from the schedule) that I think Hattie and I could do (I don't want to jump at all).

-Ridden Show Hunter
-Family Horse/Pony
-Style & Appearance
-Riding Club Horse
-Ridden Hunter

Hattie is a 15.3 TB and I will be riding side saddle. Does she look like the right "type" for these sorts of classes? It's a very local show.

lesson_1e.jpg

off_side_canter1.jpg


Is there jumping in any of these as I'll probably be riding in my off-side side saddle and that is not reinforced for jumping nor do I want to jump anymore.

Does the judge ride in any of these classes? The only normal saddle I have for the judge to ride in, is my bright tan flat-as-a-pancake close contact jumping saddle which I'll be hacking to the show in. It won't match with my mahogany brown side saddle bridle though!!

Do I need to ride in a Pelham for any of these classes? I normally ride Hattie in a loose ring KK bit.

Is the bridle she is wearing in the photos, correct for these classes (brown with plain raised nose and browband).

Will we have to do an individual show? The one I did for the side saddle eq class was w/t/c on both reins.

Help!!
 
Firstly, I think you'll be fine. It's unlikely that at a very local show a judge will ride so don't worry about this.

I think she looks like a nice type and will be fine in the classes you mention. The only class that possibly might have a jump in it is the family pony (but this would be very small) You should ring the show secretary and ask...

your bridle is fine but for riding horse it is normal (and correct) to have a ribboned brow band...

HTH

BnB

(PS I'm assuming you have a habit to ride in?)

PPS why do you have an off side Side saddle... (just being nosey)
 
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I think she should be fine for all those classes, except maybe ridden hunter. Hunter classes are normally for bigger built horses than tbs, but at a very local show I doubt anyone will mind, just don't be upset if she doesn't do too well in it.
Hope you have fun with it all!
 
Never seen a Style and Appearance class so can't help there, but for the rest:

At local show level you can get away with anything, honest! I've seen people competing in a black pullover and horses wearing brightly coloured saddle clothes, plus TB's entered into the cob classes!

There will be a jump in riding club horse. There may be a small jump in Family Pony but it's a novelty class and therefore varies dramatically.

She's not really big enough or got enough bone to do Ridden Hunter but she'd get away with it: she'd fit better into Show Hunter. Is there no Ridden Horse or Riding Horse class? She's suit that well.

The judge usually rides in the Hunter classes (being a good hunter is all about how that feel to ride after all!) but not always: it should say on the schedual? Or ask the organisers: they sometimes can't get a rider for smaller shows.

She can go in a snaffle for all of them although a double/pelham is more 'correct' for some but it really won't matter at a local show.

The bridle could really do with a flat hunter noseband for the hunter classes but again it's not essential.

And yes, you will have to do an individual show for all of them: a SHORT (judges get bored! and really really don't want to see a dressage test) walk, a trot and a canter, and a gallop in hunter classes. A figure of 8 in trot then in canter is ample!
 
I don't mind if it's a tiny jump (like up to 1 1/2') that Hattie can trot over but anything bigger, forget it (although I have jumped 2' side saddle but those days are over!).

I have the schedule from last year and it doesn't say anything about whether there are jumps in the Riding Club Horse or the Ridden Hunter class (those are both held in the same ring where they will be doing the Working Hunter classes afterwards). All it says that the judge will ride at their discretion in the Ridden Hunter class so I would have to bring my tan close contact saddle just in case.

I just checked again and the Ridden Show Hunter is for ponies only to to 14.3hh so we can't do that.

I have a habit and a pink ribboned browband too! :)

blitznbobs, I have both side saddles but the off-side one rests my b*ggered right hip and I find it comfier riding on the off-side too. :)
 
I did ask the show organizers last year at the last show when I went to watch one of my friends jump and they said it was fine and that they do have some side saddle competitors. I'm buggered if the judge says no though as these days, I can't do much more than walk and some trotting riding astride!!
 
sidesaddlegirl said:
I did ask the show organizers last year at the last show when I went to watch one of my friends jump and they said it was fine and that they do have some side saddle competitors. I'm buggered if the judge says no though as these days, I can't do much more than walk and some trotting riding astride!!
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I cannot imagine that any judge would say no, it's just a matter of courtesy to ask, before entering the ring. Even if you have checked it out with the Show Secretary, it would be polite to speak to the steward/judge before you enter the class just to check/remind them.
 
You will probably need to jump in the RC horse class but it won't be big and you can ask them to put it down a bit (maybe explain it is not because the horse can't jump but because you have a bad hip and it might hurt).

Family horse you probably won't need to jump but sometimes you need a second rider as the horse should be suitable for both child and adult to ride. In one family horse/pony class i entered the riders in the class were all asked to swap horses to prove the horse/pony could be ridden by anyone! We came 2nd as my pony was a bit small for really tall adults (he is 13.2) Normally family pony/horse classes prefer horse to go in a snaffle.

Style and appearance sounds a bit like tack and turnout so I guess just look as smart and elegant as possible - being side saddle you might have an advantage as you might look very stylish and elegant. You will need to plait and I guess might need a veil if you are riding side saddle?
 
When I have seen style and appearance classes in the past it's been like a combination of tack and turnout and a ridden showing class. It was 50% of the marks for turnout and 50% for your ridden show, Not sure if it's the same everywhere though.
 
I will definitely ask the judge(s) beforehand if I can go in side saddle for the clases but for Style and Appearance, I won't be able to wear a veil though as the club has strict rules that anyone mounted must wear a helmet (veils are only worn with bowlers or top hats).

I may enter the Riding Club Horse class and the Ridden Hunter classes just for the heck of it and the experience (it's not expensive at this show, only £5 a class). If the judge refuses to lower the jump after I explain my situation or we come last in either, that is ok, at least we had a nice day out! :)
 
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