Showing peeps - what classes?

clevelandbay

clevelandbay

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Hi guys, I'm sure there's been several dozen of these threads recently already but was looking for some advice as to what classes I could do with my mare (and the correct turnout).

I'm only looking to go to very local shows. She's 15.1 Cleveland bay x TB and is very pretty and reasonably nicely put together. She is 17 and so could do a ridden veteran class, but am I right in thinking these will be quite a high standard as the horses will have had a long showing career?

Can an adult rider do a novice showing class (it states on the schedule "over 13s). Would riding club horse and family horse classes usually include a jump?

As she's part bred I know she'll need to be plaited, does she need a coloured browband? I have a navy show jacket that I use for dressage but would tweed be more appropriate.

Phew, many questions, big glass of Rioja for anyone that got this far, and I would be very grateful for any advice. I will try and suss how to post pics on here as that may help. x
 
There is no reason to not do the novice class if you are eligible, most RC horse classes will include a small jump but the family class may not it will depend on the show/judge.
Turnout for the above classes would be tweed ideally but many at local level will wear navy.
She should be plaited, pulled and well trimmed, a velvet browband can be worn but not essential for these classes.
Not all the veterans will be show horses many will come from other careers so if she is smart have a go.
 
You could have loads of fun with her at local level.

The veteran classes are often split 15 -20 yrs and then 20 +. You are unlikely to run into top class ex show horses at local level.

You could also do the riding horse class. A coloured browband is the norm on riding horses and you can wear a navy jacket.

At local level there would be nothing stopping you doing the novice hunter class either. You will find a very mixed bag of horses entered. If you do a hunter class opt for a hacking jacket/shirt and tie.

You may find the family pony/horse class has an optional jump.

Go and have fun.
 
Thanks guys. I've shown her in hand a couple of times previously and she did OK. I would post the pics to show you if I knew how!!!
 
Sign up on photobucket and upload a pic :) Then copy the image url from there it will give you :)


Or, if you're on facebook, right click on your photo, go on properties, and copy the image url on there which will show up and just insert in
on your post on here :)
 
Aw she's lovely! Definately get and about with her...your smile and her face says it all!


She looks quite built up in that photo, how does she move? If she's quite light on her toes and flicky, I'd go for riding horse turnout. If she's more straight and workmanlike in her paces, then I'd settle on small hunter turnout [same as standard hunter turnout, plain flat noseband and browband, tweed jacket, etc]. Try if you can to smarten up the plaits a little bit by stitching them in, just for a more overall tidy finish - not essential though, only nit picking!


Go out and have fun! Do riding club horse, veteran, family horse, hunter or riding club horse! If it's local level, hunter classes are generally over 14.3/15hh rather than split in small hunter and weights, so you'll be fine for that. Riding club and family horse, usually have a very tiny cross pole to jump at the end of your individual.


Edited - seen 2nd photo, I'd opt for Small Hunter turnout probably :)
 
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As above really you can have lots of fun! Possibly I'd go more for hunter classes with her at local level, then veteran as well as a couple of others that she would fit in. I'd go for plain browband with a horse such as her for all classes, have fun!
 
That's brilliant thanks so much for your help. She's lost quite a bit of weight since the second photo was taken. She's more "workman like" than flashy I would say, so I will try the small hunter class, and thanks for the tips on the plaits. I will get practicing. Should I also trim all her legs, ears and more contraversially muzzle etc.?

In the inhand photo she was pulled in 9th out of about 20 in a veteran class (at a local championships) which is why I was so chuffed. There were lots of flashy stallions there that day! I now realise our turnout was pants though.
 
Yep, trim everywhere if possible! Ears, muzzle, legs, tail, etc. If you want to, Supreme to do some fabulous make-up bits and bobs, but if you're unsure of make-up, then I'd leave it. If you do want to give it a go, add a touch of black matt round her eyes and work round her muzzle, with a smudge of highlighter worked in also- only the smallest amount though just to make it stand out and highlight it slightly, not make her look like a panda with a paint-dipped nose :p Trim her chestnuts/ergots down [either can do them yourself, or just ask your farrier to do them] and black them out also if you do get any make-up. Black out hooves [I personally like to stain them black, not gloss/oil them, but do as you like really!]
 
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