SHOW HUNTER PONY CLASSES ... Bridles & hooves!

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mickygem

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SHOW HUNTER PONY CLASSES ... Bridles & hooves! thought I'd throw the question out and see what you prefer? Is a plain browband favoured by judges over plaited browband? and on a "plaited" show hunter pony with 4 white socks do you prefer all black hooves or au naturel as in M&M? A final question: introducing a Pelham with a child jockey, will judges mark down for split reins? :) NOTE: Pony is 128cm WPB Bay with 4 white socks and a bit of bone (not sure how to post a pic?) My son is 8yrs old. Thanks in advance.
 
Plaited or plain is down to you but personally I prefer plain as the plaited ones look to me as if the owner is trying to stand out but it really makes no difference when so many use them, at the end of the day as long as the tack is correct it is the pony itself that is being judged, a mistake in the show will drop marks, a browband will not make any difference to the mark , hooves I prefer clear polish on 4 white feet.
I think in the under 13 hand/ 133 class split reins are fine, far better than seeing a young rider struggling with 2 reins, I would want to see 2 reins in a year or two or on the next size up.
 
Browband I would say it depends on the ponies face? A more petite face might want a plain one so it doesn't look too bulky?

Clear polish with white feet and socks, I always think black looks a bit harsh.

Can he not use a snaffle? Just wondering as I'm not massively well up on the show hunter pony classes to know if split reins are acceptable or not?
 
I would've thought that a snaffle would be better than split reins? My understanding was a curb bit is supposed to evidence the ponies schooling being of a good level, so I would think that a curb bit that's not being used with two reins would imply that it was needed for brakes?
 
most shp now have plaited browbands but its not a must

Black hooves some judges hate some judges some don't, majority will have hoofs painted whether white feet or not

I struggle to think of many 133cm shp being in split in reins they are more common in 122cm shp (but still few and far between). It depends on what level your competing at as to what bit you go in, in a county level open shp class they will be in pelhams/doubles
 
I personally prefer plaited browbands on hunter ponies. I don't see many plain browbands in a county ring. I also prefer black painted feet, as someone else said depends on judge really and just down to personal preference. Ideally depending on class you should be in proper double for your class height. If novice SHP then snaffle. Really all depends if your local or county showing.
 
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