Showing a Clydesdale

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zoesophie

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OK, this isnt for me but a new person at our yard.

Hes got a clydie and wants to show him but isnt sure of the showing do's and dont's. Also, he seems to think there is a special plait to use for a clydie
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Any tips/pics etc grateful
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Thanks
 
I had a bash at showing my Clydie a couple of years ago, it wasnt pleasant, trying not to dishearten but its very much a who's who and newcomers rarely break thru the cleak. but if your just out for a bit of fun and a nice day out then thats ok,. your supposed to totally trim their tail to the base of the dock (Bottom of the boney bit) and then you pleat it at the top with raffia and ribbons to stand on its end? Feathers have to be washed and chalked, and there is various ways of doing there mane again with Raffia and ribbons, and most of them are shown in a white rope halter, which doesnt really give much control, hope that made sense and good luck!
 
I used to be involved with showing shires at agricultural shows around England. It definitely is who you know rather than what you know, particularly at the larger events. However, if your just going for a day out then this doesnt necessarily matter, and some of the shows pay you for taking shires/clydesdales etc as they are an attraction.
The plaiting is different and involves wool being woven through the mane and ribbons (cant think what else to call them) being inserted at equal points, sorry this isnt the best description! Not all horses are plaited, though obviously it looks smarter if they are.
I'd advise contacting the clydesdale horse society for more info, or going along to a heavy horse show because the people involved with these horses are eager to encourage others so are usually really helpful!
 
As you are in Beds, you will have to look round and be prepared to travel for shows.

Why not contact Hertfordshire Heavy Horse Society - not too far for you and they are very friendly.

The other place is visit is the Clydesdale Society, though it is very Scottish based - which is should be as the Clyde is scottish.

I have shown Cairo locally for fun - OAPs, coloureds - he is a sabino, best condition etc. My problem is most local judges have no idea what a clyde should look like - comment of "sorry but he is cow hocked" was the biscuit - clydes are supposed to be cow hocked.

As I am having pure fun, I put in a basic heavy horse plait - I use red and green, no flights, ribbon on his forelock and red and green ribbons on top of the tail but I don't do anything else. He also has a very beautiful heavy horse show bridle which again he wears for fun.

He had been placed, but I would not show him seriously at local level - local level is more for TBs and flash welshies.

Long time ago he did heavy hunter - (he is not a massive clyde) trimmed out and plaited but I far prefer him looking like a clyde with all his lovely hair.
 
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