Showing a Lusitano

[pootleperkin]

Hi all,

Just wanted to pick the collective brain!

I am the proud half owner of a luso stallion and am starting to take him out and about. We have had him a few months now and his manners are fab, so not anticipating any real trouble, just a few canters on the spot and bit of shrieking when he first arrives places.

We are off to a small local show on Thursday and have entries in the riding horse classes, open and local (to give you an idea of size, there will prob. be 4 - 8 entries max).

So, I am guessing that he should be show 'au natural', as I certainly won't be able to plait all of his mane, and certainly aren't going to cut it (horrors!) - am I right?

Also, he does halt very well, but doesn't do standing for very long on the spot....so do you think it would be bad form if I asked the judge if an attendant (i.e. the OH) can come into the ring to help him to stand?

If anything, I could take him in HC, I just want him to start getting used to going places again and particularly with me - he used to do quite a bit of dressage, so I know that he does settle, but just has itchy feet! I don't care how we do, and don't really know how the judge will look upon a luso in the class, but to be honest, it is more like a riding class than anything else.

Ta in advance

 

[coss]

from what you've described, if you tell judge he's inexperienced and would like an extra hand she/he should allow it - especially as you are prepared to go h/c. lusos are fab and if you were going to plait it would have to be one of those running ones but au naturale is super

 

[depurple1]

You could just do a running plait - very easy if the mane is long, and takes about 5 minutes I don't think it's technically correct, but should be OK if it is local and if you're not actually that fussed about winning...

Normally in a riding horse class you would have a groom in the ring soon after they are lined up, so you should be OK. Although you would normally dismount at this point ready for the judge to ride so your horse may settle with you on the ground holding him? The groom would normally leave after the horse has been stripped, trotted up, saddled up again and you are back on board.

 

[pootleperkin]

Hi DP and Coss,

I had thought about a running plait (I'm guessing you mean the ones that bind the mane in at its base) - that might look pretty nice given his lovely neck, though I would leave his forelock loose (it's all black, bed-heady and sexy - he is grey with a black mane and tail!) or I have seen Lusos with just the front section of the mane in a long plait (the section just behind the ear).

I have done riding horse classes with my warmblood before at county show level, so am aware of the groom bit, but this show is so small, they won't be stripped and ridden - as I said, it will be more like a riding class!
That was why I was a bit more worried about OH coming in the ring, but I think it should be ok if I ask.....