Ridden Showing

[BreyerAmy]

I got my 1st horse 4 months ago and have started showing him at local shows. I feel quite comfortable in in-hand classes although I have my work cut out getting him to trot up nicely.
But I'm not sure what is expected of me in ridden classes. How do I know what to do ? Do the judges always tell you what they want you to do or do you have to make up your own show? And do you need a different show for different classes?

Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Amy

 

[Hannah1Pie]

When you go into a ridden class its pretty straight forward, you go in walk and trot large round the area ur in as a whole ride and sometimes are asked to canter as a ride,
they then line you up and ask you to certain things such as: show your horse walk and trot on both reins and then a figure of eight in canter showing a change of leg,
that is what they have always asked me to do when ive gone into a showing class but from time to time they have asked me to show my own small routine, so usually they do tell you what to do anyways but its a good idea to have a small routine memorised just incase

and a good tip is that if you make sure your near the end of the class you can take notes from what other people in your class do

 

[Hannah1Pie]

Ow and just before you go out to do you individual routine you are asked to stand infront of the judge who will look the horse over and ask a few question about you and your horse, they then ask you to complete a routine (either one theyve told you to do or your own) you complete the routine and then when you have have finished you stand you horse square infront of the judge and salute before returning to your place in the line up.

 

[spacefaer]

depends what class you enter

what sort of horse do you have?

basic format is that everyone goes in at once, and goes round the ring in single file in walk on the right rein. The steward will tell you when to trot on, and then canter. The judge will then want the whole class to change the rein so the steward will ask one person to cross the ring in trot, then the rest of the class follows, picking up canter again on the new rein. You then come back to walk and the steward will ask you to line up in order, as the judge requests.

Then, depending on the class, you will either give an individual show (planned before) showing a good walk, trot and canter on both reins. OR the judge will ride your horse.

then back into line, take the saddle off and then the judge will assess your horse's conformation in hand, ask you to walk away and trot back past them. You return to the line (from behind it) tack up again, get back on.

Once the judge has assessed all the class, back out in walk on the right rein. Then.... called back in for the final order.

bit long but hopefully reasonably comprehensive!

At local level, usually the judge doesn't ride, but will want to see a show, regardless of horse type.

Good luck!

 

[lauraandjack]

Although the judge may tell you what they want to see, often the individual show is left up to you, or they will ask you to include certain things but not give you a set pattern. So it's a good idea to practice one at home, to allow you to show off your horse's strengths and spend less time displaying his weak areas.

You can always adjust your basic show to incorporate what the judge asks for.

My current basic show is: walk out of line and halt for judge. Walk to track and turn right. Go large in trot, extending along the long side. Change rein across diagonal after 2nd short side, trot large to the left, extending on long side. Change rein across diagonal, canter right. Canter down long side, back to trot on short side, change rein across diagonal, canter left. Gallop along long side, canter short side, pull up to trot and turn down in front of line up, halt, salute.

This is for showing a welshie where they like to see extended trot and a gallop. Most people extend their trot along the diagonal, but my boy has a tendency to break into canter if you try this, so I extend along the long side instead. He will also change legs if you gallop to the right, so I always go to the left.

Keep it short and reasonably simple - there's nothing worse than sitting in a class for ages while people do really long shows! And the longer it is the more chance you will make a mistake. Short and sweet is best.

 

[BreyerAmy]

Thanks for the advice.
I need to do some practice at home.

My horse is a Piebald Traditional Cob with lots of feather

 

[lauraandjack]

Good luck and most of all enjoy yourself! I went to my first show for about 5 years yesterday and loved every minute of it!

If you get the chance, go to a show as a spectator and watch what people are doing in your type of class to get some inspiration.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

go and watch a few classes, make your own show in w t and c gallop if hunters. halt and salute at start and finish smile and say thank you to judge, then back to line up to strip and show. yhen retack and mount. short simple use your horses strengths not his weaknesses his good rein etc

 

[miss_c]

Go and enjoy!

I've yet to show at a local show where the judge has ridden, and yet to be in a class (other than championship) when I've not had to canter as a ride.

My individual show is definately short and sweet! Get called out and stand for judge's inspection, always saying 'good morning/afternoon/evening' to be polite. Sometimes the judge will ask for you to walk away and then trot back to them, and then do my individual, have never been told to do a set routine yet.

I will trot, change rein across the diagonal asking her to move on a bit/extend (the success of this varies at the moment!), then ask for canter on the right rein. Canter across the diagonal and do a simple change of leg through trot to canter on the left rein. Go round the back and gallop (Genie's favourite bit) then back to canter, trot, and halt in front of the judge and salute. I think give Genie a pat as we go back to the lineup, as so many people don't pat their horses even after they do a lovely show.

Main thing is to enjoy it and do your best!

If things go wrong then they go wrong and there's nothing you can do once it's happened!