Showing advice needed

[MoodyMare101]

I am going to my first ever showing show this weekend, I am doing Mountain & Moorland and Veterans (both ridden) and then possibly leading a child in a Lead Rein class. (Show is only a local one)

I have a tweed jacket, and cream jodhpurs (and brown jodhpur clips) however I only have black jodhpur boots! I do also have smart long black riding boots, would I be allowed to wear them? I don't have a navy velvet hat, I have a skull cap with a black hat silk or I have a black velvet hat - which would be best? I have a white shirt and Pony Club tie with a badge and tie clip, but have a different tie that I could wear!

Also any advice on the individual show that you have to do would be muchly appreciated! In fact any advice in general to do with showing as I have never been before!

Thanks In Advance!

 

[WelshD]

If your pony is a small breed M&M (welsh A, welsh B, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland) then wear short boots. If he/she is a large breed M&M then wear long boots

The black velvet hat would look smarter than the scull cap

 

[Nativelover]

With regard to individual show, the steward will bring you forward to stand in front of the judge, they'll then tell you to do your show. Walk away from judge with a forward walk, after a few strides do a loop back around to walk towards the judge, keep heading for them and go into trot, they'll move out of the way.
Trot round and change the rein across the diagonal, then canter and change again across the diagonal in trot, you could ask for a bit of extension at this point, then off into canter again with a gallop along the long side. Come back towards the judge slowing until you halt, then salute.

 

[Sophiecollins11]

Velvet cover in your show hat would look better, I only have a skull cap and have always just put a velvet cover on it! And as long as your on a large m&m wear the long boots! Even when I was under 16 I always used boots and chaos on my traditional cob because he was a horse not a pony (and I couldn't ride without chaps ) your shirt and that tie will be fine at local level it's more about making yourself look good with what you have got as a lot.
For your individual show piece I would have a practise at home and make up a short routine that shows trot, canter on both reins and a little bit of extension in the canter (gallop if you can!) on your horses better rein as you are trying to sell your horse to the judge as much as possible! For example my horses canter is better than his trot so I finish off in canter and have more canter in my routine than trot (slightly) to show him off my best, and because we struggle to get a gallop I really collect him before we try to make it look as different as possible!
Contrary to above I would never trot towards the judge as in trot coming straight at the judge they will immediately be able to see any wonkyness or blemishes on your horses legs so t me that's a big no no...
At the end of the day Enjoy! I love showing and you might end up catching the bug too!

 

[WelshD]

You should really trot at the judge as the point IS to see whether your pony moves straight or has any conformation issues! Judges aren't silly, they will place themselves to see anyway if they suspect you are dodging the issue

 

[be positive]

You should really trot at the judge as the point IS to see whether your pony moves straight or has any conformation issues! Judges aren't silly, they will place themselves to see anyway if they suspect you are dodging the issue

Some judges will ask you to trot straight back to them in a ridden show, they may not if they plan on stripping the ponies and doing an in hand stage but as WelshD says a good judge will move to get a good look and trying to avoid them will do you no favours, if the pony does not move straight or is blemished it will be down the line as it should be, a show horse is supposed to be correctly moving and free of blemishes.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Please don't wear a pony club tie! It is so amatuerish and looks daft!

 

[YorksG]

Agree with those saying DO trot towards the judge, the majority of judges will ask you to and judges get quite peeved if people don't do as they are asked. keep your show short, judges watch a lot of horses in a day and a meandering show that takes a long time will not be appreciated.

 

[cjt1701]

Agree with comments as above but don't extend the canter in the veteran class as you will get marked down as it is not required. Also don't wear spurs in the veteran class as it is also against the rules. Above all have a good day and smile.

 

[ester]

It depends which rules if any they are running against for the veterans. I tend not to wear spurs as he is an M+M and ask if they are happy for me to show a gallop - at local non qualifier shows no one has said no yet and it is the pony's favourite bit. I think it is ridiculous that they aren't allowed to extend!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Extend away in M&M with no spurs! Spurs are not allowed in 95% of showing classes. M&M and Veteran being some of that number.

Strictly speaking veterans in VHS classes don't extend. Research your judge and if they are on the VHS panel or judge a lot of VHS classes then don't kick on!

 

[ester]

That's why I ask as I don't check judge lists/they aren't always in schedule, obviously at 22 he does better as a veteran than as an M+M . I just happen to think if they can't do a few extended strides especially the sub 25s then they shouldn't be there. My latest judge was a welshie person and did specifically request an extended trot!

 

[MoodyMare101]

Thanks so much for all of your advice - made me feel much clearer about what I need to wear/do! Still got a few questions though!

1. Do I need to wear gloves?
2. What boots do I need (short or long) for leading in the leadrein?

Also how is this for an individual show?

Walk away from judge,
turn and walk/trot back towards judge,
short trot around,
change rein across diagonal in trot,
short trot round,
canter,
trot and then change rein again across diagonal still in trot,
Canter,
trot,
walk towards judge,
Halt and salute.

Would also extend canter/gallop on ponies better rein!

 

[WelshD]

yes, brown gloves for the ridden and leading

it depends on what you are wearing in the ridden and lead rein, if you plan to wear jodhs then you may as well stick with whatever boots you wear for the ridden class (assuming very local show here) if you are changing in to trousers then short boots or shoes

the show sounds fine and not too long BUT do play it by ear as some judges dont like shows to go on for too long and may say something so do notice what anyone above you in the line does

 

[MoodyMare101]

Ok, thanks yes it is a very local show! Also do the gloves HAVE to be brown?
I was planning on watching what other people do anyway to see if I could pick up any ideas!

 

[WelshD]

brown is correct but if not brown try to wear dark ones, if not dark ones then cream - try not to wear white!

 

[rara007]

depending on your tweed cream or tan can look very smart Navy and Black would be acceptable. Brown leather the ideal for most turnouts!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Black gloves should never be worn by a lady in the ring unless she is in mourning

 

[ester]

TBF locally I have seen plenty of black gloves in the ring unpenalised .