Ridden Hunter Turnout - is this acceptable?

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CastleMouse

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It is technically a County Level Show, but the equine classes won't be that big as there's the Tattersalls 2 day show up the country during that weekend, which most major competitors will be heading to. I want to do it for experience more than anything, and couldn't care less if I'm laughed into last place, but just want to look presentable and correct. I have a ridden show planned out, and will have someone on stand by with brushes and sponges outside the ring if we have to present them in hand. The class is just Ridden Hunters, and isn't split in LW, MW, or HW categories.
For Me -
Navy tweed jacket with white shirt & red tie with gold spots
Navy velvet hat with my hair in a bun tied in a hairnet
Black leather gloves (Should I try to get a pair of tan/mustard ones?)
Beige jodhpurs
Short boots and gaiters (I'm under 16, but it's a horse class...??)
Round ended spurs with nylon spur straps (all I have at the moment, but will I try to find a pair of leather ones?)
And shall have to try to borrow a showcane off a friend, but if I can't get my hands on one will that be ok?

For my horse -
GP Saddle - fits him perfectly, won't be using a numnah under it either
Black Girth (a bit of a leather look to it)
Black Bridle (I know, should be brown really but it's a very nice one)
Black cavesson noseband (Not a flat hunter style although that's more correct, but will it do? It has a flash loop in it)
Fulmer bit (Will try to get a plain snaffle in the meantime)

All help really appreciated!
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Hopefully FMM will pop on line. But it sort of sounds ok - but.

If you can - do long leather boots.

Yes you'r tack should be brown. You can use a sheepskin numnah if you want. And yes to leather straps for your spurs.

The thing is if you are entering a county show - then you really do want to look as professional as possible - regardless if it's just for the experience. Who know's you may win - and it would be nice to look back with pride.
 
For county level hunter classes you really should be riding in a double bridle, with two bits or a rugby pelham. Gloves really should be brown.

Good luck
 
Thanks
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Can't do long leather boots, have odd calves and tried on the MH ones and Toggi ones and just didn't like them. If I want to show the only way I can start over here is "county level", would prefer to do smaller local stuff but nothing around sadly.
 
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For county level hunter classes you really should be riding in a double bridle

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However, if the hunter is classed as a novice, you can and should wear a snaffle bridle.
 
I thought black tack was technically correct for a grey horse Amymay? Not that I show, or have much idea about showing!
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I'm also assuming the hunter is the grey in your sig CM?

Now where's FMM?!
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I have done county showing in Show and Working Hunter and brown tack is more traditional and correct but you do see a lot of grey or black horses with black tack on now so I wouldn't worry. Right I'll start with the head, ideally it should be a flat hunter bridle with either a Double or an ordinary snaffle, a fulmer is frowned upon. I understand you don't want to go out and spend a bomb but see if you could borrow one off somebody, or buy the bits separate off ebay, you can make quite a decent cheap bridle that way. Saddle is ok, either no numnah or a shaped one that is the same size and colour of your saddle, I personally like to use a nuumed sheepskin numnah, looks quite nice on.
As for you, your hat and hair sounds fine, you need to wear a tweed like you are, but it is thought that you shouldn't wear a white shirt for some reason?? Stick it in the wash with some new yellow dusters and make it a cream one!!! As for leg wear you should be wearing long leather boots, but as you are a junior in a horse class it is a little trick. If your gaitors are smart and look like leather I would put them on, if they are scuffed up or look like chaps you would be better off wearing jodhpur boots and jodhpur clips. Gloves: As all of your tack and your boots are black, I would wear black gloves with a black cane, you could get away with brown or canary at a push but they would stand out more that they don't match rather than being correct??? I have always worn brown or cream gloves, but I have always had brown tack with a brown hat and a green tweed with all green and brown acessories.

Hope this helps a little, but just make sure you enjoy it!!!
 
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I thought black tack was technically correct for a grey horse Amymay?

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Now you've got me. Could I be wrong about something
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FMM where are you????????????????
 
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FMM where are you????????????????

[/ QUOTE ] I think she is in the middle of organising a kiddies party at the moment, so may be a while before she gets back online. (If she survives the ordeal that is
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Poor woman. Shall we send her some positive vibes??

[/ QUOTE ] I think a large bottle of vodka might be more appropriate ....
 
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For county level hunter classes you really should be riding in a double bridle

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However, if the hunter is classed as a novice, you can and should wear a snaffle bridle.

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It isn't classed as novice or open, checked the schedule and it just says "For mares and geldings 4 years and over".
 
Gaiters are similar to the Tredstep ones, but mine are a German brand. Will try to get a snaffle from someone. I use brown tack on my other grey pony, brown is more correct no matter what the colour of the horse I think...
 
For the debate on Black tack: yes it is incorrect but if you have nothing else it will have to do. I have seen a few black/grey horses who are meant to be wearing brown at county level, and it does suit them a litle better IMO. I think if a horse is out of this world and the rest are ok, it will still win if no matter if it is wearing black or brown tack!!! As for double bridle, if it is just classed as Ridden hunter with no other guidelines I would imagine there will be quite a few doubles with a few snaffles, pelhams, rugby pelhams mixed in!!! See what your horse goes best in, there is no point turning up looking great and your horse runs round with its head in the air because it is not used to a double, you would stand a better chance with you horse working well in its own bit and losing a few marks for turnout.
 
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I would imagine there will be quite a few doubles with a few snaffles, pelhams, rugby pelhams mixed in!!!

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Doubt it at County level.
 
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I would imagine there will be quite a few doubles with a few snaffles, pelhams, rugby pelhams mixed in!!!


Doubt it at County level.


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Hmm yes, i forgot it was county, a double is really the norm, but I was just trying to suggest that if she is reeaaly stuck, hasn't got a double or the horse doesn't like a double then perhaps try a show pelham, rugby pelham or even just a snaffle if the worst comes to the worst as she is a junior after all. I have always competed in a double but then my horses were used to being ridden in a double.
 
tbh this is Ireland, there will be huge variety of turnouts, incl probably some 4yos that were backed the week before. My advice is be as correct as possible cos you will feel more comfortable, but don't worry about it too much, just have fun!! That's what we do over here, isn't it?!
 
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For the debate on Black tack: yes it is incorrect but if you have nothing else it will have to do. I have seen a few black/grey horses who are meant to be wearing brown at county level, and it does suit them a litle better IMO. I think if a horse is out of this world and the rest are ok, it will still win if no matter if it is wearing black or brown tack!!! As for double bridle, if it is just classed as Ridden hunter with no other guidelines I would imagine there will be quite a few doubles with a few snaffles, pelhams, rugby pelhams mixed in!!! See what your horse goes best in, there is no point turning up looking great and your horse runs round with its head in the air because it is not used to a double, you would stand a better chance with you horse working well in its own bit and losing a few marks for turnout.

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Thank you
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From what I remember last year when I headed up there that the ridden hunters were mainly in snaffles, and not many in pelhams or doubles at all...
 
What show are you headed to? I know it's probably a county show, but it is in Ireland so a county show over here will not be the equivalent of a county show in England! Honestly you get all sorts turning up to them and I think what you are planning on wearing sounds fine, I would stay in a snaffle if he's not used to a double or pelham and don't forget the judge will probably ride him so you want him to go as well as possible. Also bear in mind some of the judges at the smaller county shows aren't the greatest riders and it they do take a pull on his mouth he won't mind as much in a snaffle. They'll probably also want to see him stripped so practice walking and trotting him in hand before you go. Just go for the fun and experience, you should try and arrive in plenty of time as theres a lot to look at at the agricultural shows so give him plenty of time to walk around and see everything. Good luck!!
 
It's the Ossory Show, usually reasonably small although the working hunters is quite popular! Will arrive reasonably early, as might have to plait in the trailer at the show I'd say
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And to find out where the rings are and to collect my number. They usually don't like foreign bred horses though...ah well!
 
well ive won a county level small hunters class with a novice horse in a fulmer happy mouth snaffle. If the horse is lovely it wont matter what bit you have in his mouth. However i would say the flat hunter noseband is quite important. Black or brown isnt as big an issue as it was provided it all fits then you have nothing to worry about (when i won the above small hunters class, i had a black synthetic dressage saddle, a borrowed brown hunter bridle, the fulmer happy mouth snaffle and absolutely awful plaits, oh and we had only had the horse 2 weeks).
Go have fun.
Gaitors are ok not perfect but acceptable.
Oh and i would wear brown gloves no matter what tack i have but thats just my personal preferance.
 
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