Showing peeps - working hunter

[Bernster]

Despite not actually mastering the three disciplines of dressage, sj and xc, I am now contemplating trying my hand at showing. He doesn't have the conformation for pure showing (narrow and not quite straight in front) so I'm thinking of working hunter classes. Only low level amateur stuff but I've never done anything like that before. These are the best recent pics I have, sorry if not v helpful!

Are there many folks on here who do show? Interested in tips, tricks and pics. Also have the very helpful dianchi coming over to give me some in person assistance, or she can tell me if I'm likely to make a holy show of myself!

First question, is the black jump saddle a total no no? Will def get a hunter bridle. I have jods and tweed from hunting. Normal, ie not hunter cut, long black boots, tan gloves. Have googled a bit and we are sadly lacking in gear but I should be able to borrow some stuff.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

At local level, while not 'correct' your black saddle will be fine, make sure that your bridle matches it. You need either a very discreet numnah, or none at all. The horse should be plaited, some judges like to see a hunting breastplate or a running martingale, boots may be worn for the jumping phase but must be removed for the showing phase. Your usual hunting attire should be fine,so long as you are clean and tidy, with your hair in a net.

 

[Bernster]

Thanks Pearl - and thanks for replying, wasn't sure there were any showing peeps prepared to comment ! And helpful about the martingale as on my xc lesson last week, instructor said he could do with one. If I can use the existing saddle, then I only need borrow a bridle, shirt and tie. Might invest in a navy hat as I need a new one anyway, although I do have a navy velvet cover for my skull cap at a pinch.

I don't want to invest in loads as it's just for fun and to see how we go, but equally don't want to throw away marks unnecessarily, and no-one wants to be last !

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I'm in agreement, at local level your jump saddle will be fine . However please don't add tack for the sake of it, (though I know you've said above your instructor has suggested a martingale), from my experiance a judge in working hunter will be looking for a mannerly, smooth and consistant jumper with a good workmenlike pace.

If your bridle is black then just adding a plain leather browband (cannot quite tell if it is on the pic) and a hunter noseband will work. If you don't wear a martingale then it would be neater if you don't have the rein stops on the reins, but obviously if you do add one leave them on .

Shirt and tie can be done cheaply too, I used to buy school shirts wash them with cheap yellow dusters and bingo a canary shirt , and a tie from a charity shop . Hair in a neat bun with a hairnet over then top, tan gloves will be good, boots for local level will again be fine (you still don't see many in proper showing boots at local level, dressage tops all the way for my short legs ).

I have used a velvet cover on my skull cap, but a proper velvet hat does look smart.

On the discreet numnah front, I also just use to buy sheepskin (as in the full pelts) and then I could cut a bespoke, completely fitted to my saddle, half pad much cheaper than I could buy one! Sheepskin wouldn't fray so you don't need to do any finishing on it, I would cut it using a stanley knife, and if I felt like it sew a bit of trim onto it, but obviously you can buy just cotton numnahs cheaply or wear nothing under the saddle as suggested above .

if I remember correctly dianchi has shown to a pretty high level so I'm sure she will point you in the right direction! Good luck and do report back .

 

[blood_magik]

I went to a workers show at the weekend and it was good fun. As others have said, black tack is fine - My boy was in black (SJ &#128563 tack with a green elasticated hunter-style breastplate and a plain black numnah, and he placed second in his class.

As long as you're neat and tidy, you'll be fine. Good luck. 🙂

 

[Bernster]

from my experiance a judge in working hunter will be looking for a mannerly, smooth and consistant jumper with a good workmenlike pace.

if I remember correctly dianchi has shown to a pretty high level so I'm sure she will point you in the right direction! Good luck and do report back .

Thanks v much. On the first point - we're buggered haha ! I think maybe tack will be the least of our worries as we wobble our way around the course. Hopefully I'll be able to practice over W/H style jumps beforehand as am v lucky that my yard has just bought some. We've got a grass sj paddock I can use in the meantime. He has a nice enough style when I ride him right but nerves will no doubt mean we shamble our way through.

Dianchi to the rescue

 

[Bernster]

I went to a workers show at the weekend and it was good fun. As others have said, black tack is fine - My boy was in black (SJ �&#56883 tack with a green elasticated hunter-style breastplate and a plain black numnah, and he placed second in his class.

As long as you're neat and tidy, you'll be fine. Good luck. ��

Well done, although I've seen your horses and they are super smart so I'm not surprised you did so well even with the 'incorrect' black tack