Showing Peeps; in-hand advice

[lizziebell]

I’m looking at taking my young Warmblood to some unaffiliated/ fun inhand shows. The last time I did any kind of showing was when I was 10 in 1986 !

Even though it’s an unaffiliated/ fun show, I don’t want to look a complete idiot and want to prep baby for whats expected:

What will we be asked to do? Obviously standing still (which might be a challenge), walk and trot away and to the judge like we do for the vet/ physio. Anything else?

As a Warmblood I’m guessing I’ll turn him out plaited up. Do I have to plait his tail? He has very little tail and it looks awful plaited.

How should I be turned out?

Thank you.

 

[teddy_]

At local level, the main thing the judge will be looking for is that you've made and effort and most importantly - you're having fun!

In terms of the show, this will probably be set and the judge will give you instructions (walk and some trot as above). If not, there are loads of ideas for easy shows on the web.

Plait him up, apply some glossy stuff (highly recommend Supreme Products) to his points and have a play with some hunter bar and sharks teeth quarter marks. Plaiting tails isn't really the 'done thing' anymore. Most people pull or clip the top. But at local level, a good tidy up will be sufficient .

The handler should wear dark or neutral smart trousers (well fitted jeans are fine), with a shirt, tie and smart jacket or waistcoat (and gloves!). A riding hat is grand, but any smart hat will do really. Lastly, shoes you can run in!

 

[lizziebell]

Thank you Teddy, that’s really appreciated. Definitely made me feel a bit less out of my depth.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Clipped tails look horrific! Sorry but they do!

Either pull or give a quick tidy up to then damp the top of the tail and put a tail bandage on to take off just before you walk into the ring to keep it neat and smart.

Plaited mane, plain bridle (flat cavesson noseband and browband) - what age is the horse? 3 and under get shown in inhand bridles, 4yo and over in ridden bridles. Hunter strip 1/4 markers and dragons teeth etc.

For yourself - shirt, tie, either tweed jacket or waistcoat, a hat of some description, I personally hate seeing people wearing jeans in the show ring - there is a new fashion for wearing brightly coloured skinny jeans. But so long as they are clean, smart and not ott you will be fine. Boots/shoes you can run in.

Inhand classes you all walk in in single file onto the right rein. The steward will stop someone in a corner and you all stop in single file behind. When instructed trot to the end of the line - not too fast but not too slow - at home find your horses good trot. Once everyone is done you all get called in, it might be I'm preference order or it might be any order. When it's your turn stand your horse up in front of the judge, stand jn front of your horse whilst the judge walks round inspecting, when they get to the front step to the side slightly so they can get a good look at the front legs. When told its usually walk away a nice distance, turn with the horse on the inside (turn right) and trot back on the same line you walked away from -straight back towards to the judge! They will move when you get to them! There is nothing more annoying than someone that takes a roundabout route to turn then starts trotting back 5 meters over away from the judge. Don't trot off the turn, walk 2 or 3 strides to make sure the horse is straight before trotting. Keep trotting past the judge and round the back of the line up before pulling up and going back to your space.

Usually all then walk round to be pulled in in the final order. Trotting the lap of honour is a group thing and can be quite entertaining at times!