Showing Help

B

blacktabs

New User
Joined
11 April 2011
Messages
3
Location
West Midlands
Visit site
I've been to lots of shows before but normally am interested in the jumping rather than the showing side (and have never had a chance to compete myself), so am now looking for some help as I have a horse that I'm part loaning over the summer and the owner would like me to take it in the show ring, and I don't think i'll have a chance to go to a show locally before hand.

The horse is a 16hh dark grey ex flat racer who she wants me to take in ridden race horse to riding horse classes so any help on what I should wear, clothes wise, boots and hat/jacket colour, (I have general riding clothes but don't want to have to buy lots of new items, though know I will need to get a show jacket of sorts) or if the horse needs coloured browband etc. Also looking for advice on what sort of thing you have to do for an individual show or just any general advice about showing.

Also she is going to take her 11.2hh pony as well, think it is a chestnut welsh section something, and thought it would be nice for it to go in an inhand show, so again any advice on what is expected in the show side of it and what I would do, as well as what I would be expected to wear (if I could get away with similar things for both / not spending much money would be better) and do I need a hat of any sort and what type?

Sorry for so many general questions but I really have no idea when it comes to showing and thanks in advance for any help.
 
Thanks Cop-Pop, that was helpful and probably for local level I should be alright.

I think I have more of an idea of specific things to find out about, having spoken to people and read up a bit more about it, but if anyone can help me with a few more specific things, as I am being treated to a horsey shopping trip to get some show stuff so would like to get it right.

I've found a nice green tweed jacket with navy velvet trim collar so will probably get that. It appears navy hats with flesh coloured straps are required for showing is this true, as I'd like to possibly show jump as well and do have a black jacket for that in which case I'd need a black hat as well?

What colour gloves are suitable as I've heard black leather, brown leather or the sort of woven ones?

Do you have to carry a show cane and if so black or brown?

How should hair be worn, i.e tied up or in a bun, in a full hair net or one of the sort of half clip on hair nets?

Do boots have to be leather or can they be the sort of leather look alike ones?

And also still any help on how to do an individual show.
 
Ok, this is what you should wear to look like a professional, which is always the aim. Get what you can, and don't worry about it too much. At lower levels it's not such a big deal :)

A velvet hat with flesh coloured harness - green, brown or navy

Tweed - green, brown or mustard. Navy is acceptable but not common

Shirt - any pastal colour, or a colour/white stripe

Tie - patterned to tone in

Breeches - beige, cream or yellow

Boots - long black leather if possible. As long as they're black leather effect that's fine

gloves - brown leather

cane - brown. If you might need a whip you can get cane looking crops with a flap on the end.

hair - in a simple bun with a hairnet. Avoid the scrunchies etc. that you can get. They're really for children/pony classes.

Ideally you should avoid any white or any black in your showing outfits. For in-hand, replace the jodphurs with a pair of smart trousers (beige cords are great) and you're set!

For the ex-racer you should turn out to type. This will always mean plaiting the mane and preferrably pulling the tail (though a plait will suffice). Trim off any little bits of 'feather' to neaten the fetlock joint. Either use no numnah, or get a black/brown one to match your saddle. Try and get one as close to the outline of your saddle as possible - ideally it shouldn't be seen. A neat brown/black girth is also appropriate. Try and go for a plain flat leather bridle, with a caveson noseband. A pelham/double bridle is appropriate, though a snaffle is perfectly acceptable.

Browband is a ltitle more difficult. Most ex-racehorses are riding horse types, which means you should have a coloured browband. You would get away with a hunter turnout, however, which is a plain flat browband.

Your personal show should involve walking away from the judge, trotting on each rein and cantering on each rein. A basic figure of 8 pattern usually works well. I personally walk away, pick up trot in the corner, go round the bottom then cross along the diagonal. Pick up canter in the corner. Round the bottom and across the diagonal, changing the lead leg through trot, then extend/gallop along the long side, returning gradually to a halt. Salute.

Hope that's of some help to you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top