Show Preparation Already!

lizijj

lizijj

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Hi, I have a horse going to our county show this year (as you can tell I'm not into showing but have promised the breeder to turn him out at a big show once to see what he can do). For the 6 weeks or so leading up he will be at the riders yard, and prior to that will have to go to some small shows. It might seem a long time ahead, but any advice on what I could be doing now with him would be appreciated! Normally, he lives out 24/7 with 3 horses, 2 ponies on 6 acres, good natural shelter. No hard feed just ad lib hay over winter. No ribs showing but I know show judges like them fat... Ridden couple of times a week max, will increase as nights get lighter.

Thanks :)
 
If its an early show start to get working on his coat now, rug well but make sure it does not rub his shoulders, increase the work if you can, a show horse may look fat but they have to be fit and move freely in the ring and for the judge.
I would not worry so much about his condition as long as he is well the producer can put on some extra in 6 weeks, possibly put him on linseed or oil to help his condition and give his coat a good shine.
 
Please don't just make your horse fat. The idea of true "show condition" is a horse that is well MUSCLED in all the right places, giving an overall balanced and correct look. This is achieved NOT through over-feeding but through correct and tailored work to improve the horse's weak points. Of course proper nutrition plays a part - you need proper nutrition to promote overall good health and the natural shine of the coat as well as to give the horse the energy to build muscle.

If your horse will have to have the judge ride then take the time to get as many people on him/her as possible and pretend to be "ride judges". A ride judge will expect to ask once and receive a mannerly response, not to have to keep kicking and hauling to get the horse to go. Also make sure your horse is happy leaving others and practise standing up for the conformation part of the class as well as your trot up. Plenty to practise, real showing isn't quite as simple as it looks ;)
 
LOL! I'm aware 'real showing' is hard work - which is why I don't usually do it!! Thank you for your advice though - all taken on board and will try to put into practice! :) I don't know how you guys do it! It's only that this was the last foal bred by a local breeder who's progeny have been used by the royal household now, that I feel I owe it to her to see what he can do... (she knew I wasn't a professional rider, but wanted to have a good home for life) now if only didn't have a full time job, had a proper yard/stable (instead of tacking up out of the field), more hours in the day and more money in the hours! If by any miracle we get placed... you heard our Cinderella story here first! ;)
 
I show at county level and they don't want them fat anymore, most now penalize for it. If its a ridden class and the judge will ride the horseust be ble to go sweetly for the judge. If its a novice class he must work well in a snaffle. Really sit back and look at your tack and see what compliments him and what hinders him. As its the overall appearance that will first get you noticed.
 
It will be lightweight, maybe even middleweight ridden hunter. Tack is all sorted and he will either have a Pelham or double bridle.
 
You need to make sure you are in the right weight division. You will have a real surprise when you see true middleweights at county level. If I could work out how to post pictures I would put one of my horse up for you to see and get some ideas from, 17.1, 10inch bone and covered in muscle, he won alot in open classes and was amatuer champion several times Have a look at the Show Horse of Great Britain website, they have pages explaining what each weight is and there are pictures.

You need to think 'can my horse carry 12.5 stone ALL DAY NOT JUST FOR AN HOUR AT A SHOW, out hunting, lightweight, up to 12.5, up to 14st middleweight, 14st and over heavyweight. County Show judges will tell you if you are in the wrong class, but it's an expensive mistake to make. Before you get there you will have spent a fortune on registering the horse, rider and owner with SHBG, the entry fee will be £28 ish plus a HOYs ot RIHS levy if the class is a qualifier. Amatuer hunter classes are cheaper to enter, but the SHGB costs are the same.

At County level I would only use a double, make sure you use hunter bits, not dressage type bits, and fit it properly, the weymouth must not tip back too much,, use a wide noseband and make sure the browband is not too thin. I would be hacking out in that bridle well before the class.

You may see the odd 4/5 year class with horses in pelhams or even snaffles.

If you horse has never been to a county show I would be taking him to several riding club shows beforehand to do hunter or riding horse classes, whatever you can find really, where a judge will ride. He needs to be well used to other people riding him and be forgiving of receiving a poor ride. It may well be a big county show you are aiming at, but I can assure you that not all ride judges are good. I always watch the ride judge in the lightweights before making a decision if my horse will be ok, and on 2 occasions I have left him on the lorry.

Teach him to stand still, no matter what ! if it's a big class you will be in the line up for an hour plus.

So if he belonged to me and being aimed at a big one in June/July, I would be hacking him in the double, getting my mates to climb on and off him, getting other people to ride him in the school and field, teaching him to stand up square, teaching him to trot at your side in a straight line, (remember to turn him away not towards you in trot). I would be gradually be putting muscle on with hill work, it's up to you how you feed him, but he will need a top. Finally you need to teach him to canter and gallop in company, your small shows will help with this. At County level 18 or 20 middleweights galloping on is quite a sight and can push a horses manners to the limit.

Good luck and please get him entered in the right class.
 
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