Our first show!

HeyMich

HeyMich

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I just thought I'd tell you all about our first ever attempt at showing this weekend - firstly because I need to bask in the post-show glory a bit longer, and secondly for some gentle pointers on how we could improve next time (I'll try to attach some pics but can't promise they'll work!).

I haven't done any sort of competing since I was a young teenager - nearly 30 years! I bought my mare 6 months ago and to say she is a work-in-progress is an understatement. She needs so much schooling and general hand-holding. She was in a right state when I got her, but her general condition is so much better and she is a happy settled horse now. I'm not sure if she has ever been to shows before I got her, but I suspect not. We regularly go hacking in the lorry but this is the first time we have taken her anywhere to ride in an indoor arena with other horses around.

It was just a local show (still over an hour away in the lorry mind you), ideal for us newbies. My wonderful YO decided to bring her mare along too, as my horse doesn't travel well on her own, so we both decided to take part in the novice horse/rider classes together (YO does dressage but has never done showing).

The roads were icy, the outdoor warm-up ring was crunchy underfoot. My mare was totally on full alert, lots of very strange sights and sounds. She was very tense to start with, wasn't listening to me at all. Rushing the trot, falling into downward transitions etc. She was a completely different horse to ride than usual, but I was expecting that to be honest. It was new experiences for her constantly, and I think my anxiety/nerves didn't help. As I relaxed so did she, but it was very hard to stay calm!

In the first class, we came an "also-ran" 4th out of 4! (YO came 3rd). I was grinning ear to ear though! In the second class we came a respectable 3rd out of 6 (YO won the class!). So, 2 rosettes and a heap of fantastic experiences for me and the horse!

I know it's a very small victory, but I'm so chuffed with us! She coped so well, and we survived without any major dramas. And 2 rosettes to boot! I feel like a 12 yr old with my first pony again!!

I'm looking forward to planning more shows to take her to next year - but I might avoid the dead of winter next time...

Things to improve on: 1) better (more discreet) numnah or saddle pad, 2) better bridle nose-band, 3) better riding boots, 4) cleaner/whiter legs (not mid-winter next time!), 5) better riding position, I know my arms are awful! Anything else? I don't have delusions of HOYS or anything, I just want something to aim for if we do more local shows in the future.

Thanks all (and choccy biccy for anyone getting this far!) xx

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Ideally you should plait on the other side, and have a short whip not your schooling stick :), oh and brown gloves, yours look black?

Well done though, most people give up showing this time of year not start it :D :D
 
ester said:
Ideally you should plait on the other side, and have a short whip not your schooling stick :), oh and brown gloves, yours look black?

Well done though, most people give up showing this time of year not start it :D :D
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Thanks ester!

plaits - yes, I know but her mane falls totally to the left and it's so thick there was no chance of it being plaited nicely to the right. Do you think I could do a running type plait instead?

whip - yes, it's on the xmas list...

gloves - ditto xmas list!

time of year - probably quite fortuitous really, otherwise we would have been 20th out of 20 with no rosettes!! haha!
 
Nothing constructive to add but wanted to say well done and a lovely mare! I'm gradually working up to the prospect of taking one of mine to my first show in years next year! Nerve wracking that's for sure!
 
Well done although bit bonkers doing it in the winter haha. Think you need to decide what type of classes to go for and get kit accordinagly. I've not done much showing so won't advise on that but hope you have lots of fun!
 
americanqh said:
Nothing constructive to add but wanted to say well done and a lovely mare! I'm gradually working up to the prospect of taking one of mine to my first show in years next year! Nerve wracking that's for sure!
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Thanks americanqh! Yes, she can be really lovely, but has her moments for sure! I'm not sure if we'll be going to shows regularly, but definitely on the odd occasion, if location and times suit. Good luck when you start next year! Can't wait to see your pics too xx
 
Bernster said:
Well done although bit bonkers doing it in the winter haha. Think you need to decide what type of classes to go for and get kit accordinagly. I've not done much showing so won't advise on that but hope you have lots of fun!
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Thanks Bernster! I'm hoping to have lots of fun too!! And I'm thinking the bad weather was a positive - if it had been really busy I don't think we would have coped at all. Only just getting the feeling back in my fingers now though... brrrrr!!
 
Do you have a local riding club? my old one used to do a fair bit of members only shows which was good for smaller numbers and getting practice in (and friendly advice too).
 
ester said:
Do you have a local riding club? my old one used to do a fair bit of members only shows which was good for smaller numbers and getting practice in (and friendly advice too).
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Yes, I may look into that, great idea. I'd like to get to the stage where the horse isn't totally freaked out by a new school with different surfacing and other unknown horses around. And I'd like to not be stressed at the idea of having to canter a slightly unsettled horse in an unknown school! I guess it's all a learning curve for both of us...
 
That may well suit you then as there will probably be clinics etc you can go to in different locations too, do some investigating in the new year :), ask around as you may well have a couple near you and can pick what best suits your level. We have some uber competitive got to the nationals all the time clubs, some lots of unmounted stuff I prefer in hand showing ones, and some inbetween :).
 
Congratulations! No advice to give as never done showing, just wanted to say so well done and you both look fab! What ever great things you achieve in the future I bet nothing will beat the feeling when you and your girl won that yellow rosette!
 
Rumtytum said:
Congratulations! No advice to give as never done showing, just wanted to say so well done and you both look fab! What ever great things you achieve in the future I bet nothing will beat the feeling when you and your girl won that yellow rosette!
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Thanks Rumtytum! Yes, an awesome feeling indeed. I'll have my sights on the blue and red next time... Xx
 
Well done, lovely rosettes as well :-)

I would go for a plain brown cotton numnah, a thick chunky flat hunter brow and cavesson nose band as she can carry that off easily, if you have martingale stoppers on the reins then take them off to give a cleaner look. Brown gloves for you with either a brown or mustard coloured tie, I think you have a blue tie on but I would go for the workmanlike look with her. How long is her forelock and how straight is it (not floofed and curly as per photo) as you may get away with it unplaited if it is neat enough, if not then french plait it down and half roll up and stitch it so it doesn't stick out.

Is she classed as lemon and white, palomino mix or skewbald? I'm not brilliant on colour genetics but have always loved a golden coat and have had 3 palominos myself although don't envy you the white bits :-)
 
Op, if you go showing again I’d take the fluff off the back of her legs, sort her plaits out, take about a 8 inches in length off her tail (should be level with chestnuts when carried) and pop her in a nice wide hunter bridle
If you can afford to I’d get a jacket that is a bit more fitted and a navy velvet hat with flesh coloured harness.
Also pop your hair in a low bun and deffo in a hairnet to tame the flyaway bits.
Finally you need to carry a showcase not a schooling whip


Boysy said:
Well done, lovely rosettes as well :-)

I would go for a plain brown cotton numnah, a thick chunky flat hunter brow and cavesson nose band as she can carry that off easily, if you have martingale stoppers on the reins then take them off to give a cleaner look. Brown gloves for you with either a brown or mustard coloured tie, I think you have a blue tie on but I would go for the workmanlike look with her. How long is her forelock and how straight is it (not floofed and curly as per photo) as you may get away with it unplaited if it is neat enough, if not then french plait it down and half roll up and stitch it so it doesn't stick out.
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If the rest of the mane is plaited the forelock MUST be plaited.
I would Not go for a brown tie either. You just don’t see them on anyone of any standard.
 
Boysy said:
Well done, lovely rosettes as well :-)

I would go for a plain brown cotton numnah, a thick chunky flat hunter brow and cavesson nose band as she can carry that off easily, if you have martingale stoppers on the reins then take them off to give a cleaner look. Brown gloves for you with either a brown or mustard coloured tie, I think you have a blue tie on but I would go for the workmanlike look with her. How long is her forelock and how straight is it (not floofed and curly as per photo) as you may get away with it unplaited if it is neat enough, if not then french plait it down and half roll up and stitch it so it doesn't stick out.

Is she classed as lemon and white, palomino mix or skewbald? I'm not brilliant on colour genetics but have always loved a golden coat and have had 3 palominos myself although don't envy you the white bits :-)
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Brilliant, thanks Boysy. A lot to think about and improve on!

Yes, I think she is palomino skewbald, but I've never worked it out genetically. Her history is unknown, so I guess it would involve a blood test maybe?

My Dad used to breed palominos when I was growing up so I have a real soft spot for them. Her white patches are a challenge, to say the least!
 
conniegirl said:
Op, if you go showing again I’d take the fluff off the back of her legs, sort her plaits out, take about a 8 inches in length off her tail (should be level with chestnuts when carried) and pop her in a nice wide hunter bridle
If you can afford to I’d get a jacket that is a bit more fitted and a navy velvet hat with flesh coloured harness.
Also pop your hair in a low bun and deffo in a hairnet to tame the flyaway bits.
Finally you need to carry a showcase not a schooling whip




If the rest of the mane is plaited the forelock MUST be plaited.
I would Not go for a brown tie either. You just don’t see them on anyone of any standard.
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Great, thanks for the advice! I'll slowly improve tack and my equipment when the funds are available. Sounds like you have loads of experience - I'll be picking your brains again in the future! Xx
 
Well done! Lovely pony. Some things you have already mentioned but I'll go ahead with my thoughts!
Plain cavesson noseband, plaited leather reins if you can or take the martingale stops off the ones you already have. I think a burgundy tie would look better than blue with your horse (just my preference). Brown gloves. Jodphurs are a really nice colour! Smarter boots if you can afford them if not then they are fine. Brown numnah, more discreet (as you've already mentioned). Plaits on the other side, trim the feathers and pull (tidy) the top of the tail if your happy too. Plaited should be trimmed and pulled and you will be amazed at how much better it looks all together.

Getting all the 'right' gear can be so expensive so dont go mad! You are clean and smart and having fun and that is all that really matters but its amazing how changing just a few small things in your turnout, can improve the over all picture immensely. Enjoy :)
 
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