Search for a Star - anyone done it?

pootleperkin

pootleperkin

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Has anyone done Search for a Star showing before?

I quite fancy having a crack as it - Gully is now going well and has had quite a few compliments this year - lots of people telling me I should show him again. I did a bit with him in hand where he did well in hunter youngstock, but under saddle he was a bit backwards after his GS so didn't really shine back then.

Just kind of mulling it over, so any advice or warnings welcome! I know it is advertised as amateur, but it doesn't really look that way!

Question is, if we do it, which class to go for? This is him -

from the summer (sorry a bit big):

vlcsnap-2012-08-22-15h45m24s101.png


from today:

GullyJan1st13_zps5fd5dfd7.jpg


The workers will be too full on for him as he hasn't done that much jumping yet. Have thought about riding club horse, but maybe best would be riding horse / hack.

Any tips on what the format is / what you have to do?

Plus two saddle options....one the dressage in the pics, one a Black Country Wexford......hmmm!
 
I did it years ago and had a fabulous time.
I would do RC show horse with him. I did it on my fairly ordinary hunter mare and she was 5th, really on the basis of her behaviour and how well she went for the ride judge.

I think any straight cut saddle would be ok, although you need to pop a couple of 2 ft 9 fences in it, I have a VSD.
You need a double bridle turnout has to be spot on. Horse has to be absolutely rock steady & well behaved, also has to give a really good ride. It is expensive but if you get to HOYS it's worth every penny.
 
I would say definitely go for it. Difficult to tell as to what type your horse is with regard to a showing class but the RC show horse class would be a good one to do and then ask the judges as to whether to show as a riding horse or hunter and then perhaps have a go at those at another qualifier.

I would say that the size of class and quality of entry in some of the classes can be quite variable. One pony qualifer only had 3 or 4 in it this year.
 
I'd say have a go at the riding horse, he's certainly elegant enough, but then I am not a showing expert! Is the wexford a v.forward cut saddle?
 
Agree with a foot off the tail, pull tail and straight (ish) cut saddle.
The class involves trotting poles, which usually catch lots of people out, and two jumps I think - one a spread.
Good luck!
 
Ooh, and following on from this, does anyone know whether the judge rides in all classes? Are there different height brackets for the WH?
 
Sienna Mum - I think his jumping is good enough for poles and 2'9'' - he loves his jumping, never stops, so would be fine in the RC horse. He is just short on experience, so although I think we would be a good worker, it would be too much at this stage. I can jump in my dressage saddle, infact did out first baby ODE in at as had nothing else! Does it have to be a double, or can you get away with a pelham? Double should be ok.

He is very very good to ride, but he does sometimes fuss in the lineups - he gets bored (fair enough) and paws at the ground - might be a problem......!

Domino - I know Pam Prickett (sp?) does workers lessons around here, so perhaps she might be someone to go to, though I am friends with Sue Chappelhow who has been doing really well in the showring with coloured cobs, so might speak to her.

Humblepie - I think there are only 3 qualifiers and I could only really justify going to Osbaldeston, as everything is far away after that, so should maybe take some advice as to which class to enter prior to.

KatB - the Wexford is a jumping saddle, but oddly is really good and comfortable to do flatwork in too. http://www.blackcountrysaddles.com/saddles/jumping/37 for pics. It doesn't look ridiculously forward cut on......

JNB and Cronkmooar......a foot off the tail! He would have none left!! No, just kidding - not a problem!

I would *love* to go to HOYS .......sigh!
 
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Just so you know - Osbaldeston is by far and away the busiest of the SFAS QUalifiers - usually 3 or 4 times the number of entries there than anywhere else.
If you do go, and don't qualify please ask after the class, if it is worth you travelling further afield to another qualifier - they'll usually drop you a hint *cough* if it's worth it ;)
I can't remember if the judge rides in the Ridign Club Horse class - they definitely do in the RH/Hack and Hunter classes.
 
Would echo what jnb said about feedback and then deciding whether to go for it and do a long journey.

Lots of little things that someone like you mentioned could help you with - things like ensuring horse used to being ridden by others, that your stirrups/leathers are big enough/long enough (or short enough) for the size of judge. Judges' names are put on the website before hand so you will know who is judging.

I think your horse looks really nice.

Re the pawing in line up - shouldn't be a problem. Just jump off him as soon as you are lined up and only get back on at the last moment. Can imagine may be a bit more difficult in the riding horse class as you stay lined up to do the individual show from memory of having watched one once. Get pulled in first so you go straight out and then can get off him for the conformation!!!
 
How clean are his legs going to have to be for RC SH? He has a lump on his back fetlock like a pea from a wound and a very, very small splint, in fact so small I haven't noticed it for ages *runs off to look*

PS - thanks Humblepie - I think he looks nice too :) The getting pulled in first thing is a good tip ;)
 
I did it and qualified! The judge will ride them and rode my beautifully. I did the RC horse class and was amazed at how many horses freaked at the trotting poles! I put mine in a double bridle as thought it was more "correct", however at HOYS the horse that won my class was in a snaffle and it was commented on at how nice it was not to see a double bridle! Wish I'd have none as my goes better in a snaffle! The jumps were tiny in the qualifier but full up with fillers at HOYs. Good luck and go for it.
 
My mare had bad scars, didn't seem to make a difference, was very much down to overall picture and manners of horse. That's interesting about the snaffle, not double bridle. I had thought it was a must for this particular class.
 
I went to osbaldeston 2010 and qualified there. I'm not a showing bod but got balloted out of a be event and got a late entry, was very surprised to have qualified!! It was the Oliver's that made the comment at HOYs. If you qualify they offer you a training day (at a cost) but I didn't go as it was too far. I had lessons with penny hollings for 3 weeks before HOYs and carried on with my normal trainer for jumping
 
siennamum said:
My mare had bad scars, didn't seem to make a difference, was very much down to overall picture and manners of horse. That's interesting about the snaffle, not double bridle. I had thought it was a must for this particular class.
Click to expand...

Yeah me too, guess with it being a RC horse class they think they should be in a snaffle. It surprised me and my friends too
 
Personally for RC show horse, I would probably say a snaffle rather than a double - perhaps have a look at the photos from the previous years and see which the majority have on.

Re the small lump - hopefully not make any difference. Clean legs are obviously best but if very minor then may not even be noticeable from judging distance. Different judges notice different things and some will mark down for something another would not.
 
Maybe the snaffle thing is because of the amateur status thing- horse is more suitable that way?

Reg was roundly praised for being a snaffle for his RoR stuff (and a point made in the H&H that they preferred the horses in a snaffle...).
 
Yes definitely! I went as a complete novice and it is the best way to learn alot about showing. I did osbaldeston and it was incredibly busy, never even thought about trying again at another centre thats great advice! Its a lovely experience :)
 
I won my workers qualifie at osbaldeston, and was 4th at HOYS in the final. It's a great experience, and I would recommend giving it a go. Pm me if you want anymore info.
 
Thanks Showjump, will do! Just been looking at some of the vids of the finals on youtube - quite exciting! And lots of snaffles in the pictures of qualifiers :) That would be my preference as he is so good.
 
I'm resurrecting this thread as I'm off to Osbaldeston for SFAS this Sunday!

I have entered the riding club horse and riding horse. Planning on a snaffle in the RCH and pelham (to look more correct than anything else) in the RH. I have been scouring last years pics and it looks like this seems to be the way to go.

I'm about worried about saddle though...

These are the options:
This is Sky's solutions treeless, which is ok on him, but it is a bit low on his wither so I feel I need a prolite under it. It slipped back when schooling today, but if I hoik the girth up a bit ( :( ) it seems to stay at this point. It has both prolite and dead sheep under it on this pic.



Or we have the jumping saddle.....which I'm pretty sure is too much.. (poor lamb looks very cold in this one!)



or we have the dressage saddle - my personal fave, but I think it's a bit naff to show in a dressage saddle and have a feeling the ride judge might not like it...



I guess the best looking for the job is the first, but I'm not as comfortable in it on him as the dressage.

Thoughts? All of these taken in the last week or so.

Also, I'm trying to work out a show. I don't *think* we have to do one in the RCH, just the go around and the jumps, is that right?

For the RH, I'm thinking out of line, walk away from judge, trot around short side, change diagonal in medium, canter in the next corner, change leg via trot ax diagonal, the extended canter down the long side and back to walk and halt to salute, then drop reins and back in line. Sound ok?

I'm also panicking about the fluff that remains all over his face, but particularly in between his ears...I might have to be a horrid mother and just pull it all out! :o maybe not.....

Cookies (white choc chip) to all :D
 
Thanks Poppy......I think I have to go with number 1. Any ideas on the show?

Sam-b - according to the rule book, jumps are no more than 2'9''. I don't think you get put out of the ring for knocking one down :D, I think it is more a case of them looking for how the horse goes and harmony between horse and rider, how you approach etc. Saying that, I would rather not knock it down!
 
Go with the hair - hah :D ! It's like baby-bird stand on end fluff and doesn't have a direction!!! He won't let me between his ears with the trimmers, so I'll have to come up with a cunning plan.....
 
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