Ridden showing classes advice please

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madeperfectly007

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I can't really see a particular problem in your photo (except perhaps a more roomy jacket would look more elegant), so can only suggest that you ask an instructor to give you ridden showing lessons. It could be that your ringcraft is letting you down, or maybe your horse's canter isn't as good as his walk and trot. Do you tend to compete against the same horses ridden as in-hand? Have you asked judges for feedback? Some can be very helpful.
 
It's hard to comment from a standing picture, for me I do not like Rugby pelhams, I think they look bulky, prefer a neat regular Pelham myself. Tuck you tie in your shirt so it's not hanging out the bottom of your jacket too. But those are only cosmetic points. Pony looks beautifully turned out so can only assume it's a problem with his way of going, maybe he's all round at the front with nothing coming through from behind so has the appearance of 'dragging' himself around? Schooling is your only answer to get him light off your leg and forward into a balanced frame rather than a front end round outline with no engine?
 
It's difficult to see but from the photo it looks like he would benefit from working more over his back, so lots of long and low. To extend his neck
 
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You can ask the judge for feedback next time, I was watching that class I'm sure. If you plait him you would need to chop his feathers. I would just keep working away on schooling and see how you go, there's no harm in asking for feedback though
 
I would also use a normal Pelham. In that action shot your curb rein looks tight and his open mouth suggests he's not happy about it, maybe he's finding it restrictive and not working forward into the bridle.

The picture isn't side on so may be deceptive but your saddle looks quite far forward and over his shoulder which won't help his action or give a balanced, well proportioned picture.
 
I don't show so no help other than you should have a headslip attached to the snaffle (like a double bridle) with a rugby pelham
 
Please don't take his feathers off! He's a native type through and through and I doubt he's got the correct action for a plaited pony. He does look like he's not working from behind, lots of stretching down to develop the correct neck muscles and to encourage him to lift his back and swing his shoulders and engage his bottom. Be careful, there's stretching and there's throwing the reins at him!
 
Having just worked out how to enlarge your 2nd photo (duh!) I think your bridle is too much of a hunter type for him and makes his head look smaller than it really is. As his body is quite chunky this makes his conformation look odd. I would find a bridle that suits his head better. I would also do as much as possible to make his feather look more plentiful. I certainly wouldn't be plaiting/
clipping the feather, his confo is far to chunky i.e. native/traditional for that.
 
My friend shows natives and does very well, theres no way id take his feathers off this chap or plait him up he looks to me exactly how a native should look, id look at ring craft lessons from a coach as hes gorgeous
 
Beautiful native! DO NOT take his feathers off or pull his mane!!!!! He's lovely :) next time you go to a show ask the judge for feedback. If it's at local riding club shows I find the judges to not be very good, you have a better judge at county shows who actually know what their talking about. Have you had a look in your local area for showing clinics?? Enjoy showing and don't let it put you off the last few times :)
 
He is lovely. The reason why I said plait and trim is I thought 'natuves' were generally very feathery and as he is in between thought it would be better ?
 
Another tip to improve the overall picture is to never use string to attach your number, small safety pins work well and don't alter the hang of your jacket. Make sure heis really quick off your leg and has excellent manners in the ring. Ignore those who overtake in the ring and don't be tempted to emulate them, if you find yourself too close to horse infront, circle away, the judge will know that you know what you are doing, on the last go round keep your eye on the steward. Say good morning/afternoon when you are first pulled in (some people dont) salute the judge(nod) at the end of your individudual show, it all adds to the overall impression
 
I much prefer show pelhams to rugby pelhams - you will need a head slip to make the appearance right.

In showing showmanship is everything! A good showman can make a bad pony look fantastic. More schooling, get the pony working through from behind - nice and active but light in the hand. Try not to haul on the curb rein - it should only be used in emergencies where you have a serious lack of breaks! School the pony from the snaffle rein. With more long and low and then progressing up into the bridle schooling will give your pony so much more topline and will give them a more rounded appearance.

Your noseband is fine width wise, with an added head slip onto the snaffle rein will fill the head up nicely and make it look so much more professional.

Do you have a neater fitting numnah? Or can you get away without it? It's a bit big for your saddle.

Ring craft - Try not to get covered up by others in the ring, equally don't constantly cover up others. Find yourself a good space and if needs be cut a corner or turn a circle BEHIND the judges back. For your individual show use your ponies best paces the their advantage. For the gallop don't cavalry charge into it, gently squeeze on coming off the bend to reach true extension. Always be polite to the judge, courteous to the other competitors when the judge is watching ;)

Most of all - Keep smiling no matter what happens!


Oh and defo's leave natural! No trimming or plaiting!
 
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I'd go for a couple of lessons from a professional producer - they will put you on the right track and tell you what you need to work on. It is impossible to gauge much from a photo.
He is a gorgeous traditional, I really like him! Have fun this season. : )
 
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