Showing questions from a showing virgin!

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JoJo_

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I have never done any showing before and have my first unaffiliated showing show coming up in Sept so I have a few questions!

I am entering my new boy in the in-hand condition and turnout, riding horse and coloured classes. What do you need to do in an inhand class? I know in the ridden one you do a show of all paces. Do you get told to trot etc when doing inhand or should I prepare a little 'show' routine?

I'm also entering him in ridden coloured. What is your 'show' routine?

And tack questions: Do I have to get a special leadrope for the inhand? Are reins not allowed? Can a running martingale be used for the ridden class?
 
I'll help if I can

In hand showing - pretty goes like this: walk around in a circle while the judge has a good look at you all, then you're usually stopped at one point and everyone lines up and one by one, you trot around the circle whilst the judge watches, you then walk around together again and the judge pulls you in in provisional places. You then do your individual show, which involves bring your horse out, making them stand square and the judge taking a look at them all the way around. You're then asked to walk away from the judge and trot straight back at them and around the back of the line up. When you walk away, you turn your horse away from you to trot back, making a large circle so they can turn easier. Once everyone is done, you all walk around again and the judge makes their final decision :)

In regards to tack, you usually use an in hand bridle with a in hand lead, which can either be a leather lead with chain on the end, or can be a double ended chain, each side clips to the bit. I think you can show in your usual bridle as well though and can use reins, especially at local shows, not sure if they're a bit more specific about it higher up but doubt that matters here :)

Don't know the ridden side as haven't tried it yet, but hope that helps!

Good luck, and remember to have fun and smile :)
 
You will all walk round together on the right rein and the steward will then ask you to stop. Each person has to trot round to the back of the line. Once everyone has gone you will walk around again some judges will pull in in order others will just get you to come in any order. When you go out for your individual you will stand your horse up for the judge and they will inspect them, then you walk away turn and trot back in a straight line the judge should move so keep going straight and then around the back. Once everyone has gone you will walk around and the judge will place everyone.
If your horse is 4 and above it is correct for them to wear a ridden bridle with the reins over the head rather than an inhand bridle.

A martingale is not correct for showing unless you are doing working hunter.

This is the show I normally do.
indshow2-1.jpg
 
Thats website is great thanks!

I need to buy a new bridle for him too. He's 7 so i'll just get a normal one.

That diagram is fab thankyou!!
 
Are you showing the coloured in your photo? He looks beautiful. If so, he looks like the plaited and trimmed type, and so you will need to plait him up. In the mane for showing you have 11 plaits, then forelock classes as the 12th plait. I have read some people do 13 in the mane, but I have always been told to plait 11. His tail ideally needs plaiting or pulling so it is nice and tidy.

This is my thread of my plaited and trimmed youngster, if you scan down I added some photos, it may give you an idea for typical turnout for inhand classes. http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=390807

If your horse has dark legs, you wear light trousers. If he has light legs, you wear dark trousers. Avoid wearing black or white, big no no's in showing, however, if it is local, try not be too concerned if you haven't got the 'correct' showing attire. Brown tack is more favourable, you will need a showing cane and wear gloves. Hair should be tied back in a bun/hair net, and wear a hat, either a riding hat or a trilby.

A good tip I have, is when you do your walk/trot, try to match your horses stride step by step, so that the judge can watch your horse and not be distracted by your legs. Speak to your judge and create a good impression - manners go far in showing! My friend once judged at a county show and the top two horses were equally as perfect and both deserved to win, the only difference was that one of the competitors said "good morning" and the other didn't!! xx :)
 
Yes will be showing Cooper :) Everyone says he will do well as he has such good markings. I should register him for CHAPS or BSPA but want to get some transport first.

All I have at the mo is a black show jacket and beige jods. Am going to need to get my hands on a not too expensive tweed jacket as im poor :(

I'm going to give plaiting his tail a go. It isnt pulled but is nice and tidy so I guess if my plaiting is rubbish and I cant find a helper I will just leave his tail. I can do manes ok.

Is a showing cane a must or can a long whip do?
 
JoJo_ said:
Yes will be showing Cooper :) Everyone says he will do well as he has such good markings. I should register him for CHAPS or BSPA but want to get some transport first.

All I have at the mo is a black show jacket and beige jods. Am going to need to get my hands on a not too expensive tweed jacket as im poor :(

I'm going to give plaiting his tail a go. It isnt pulled but is nice and tidy so I guess if my plaiting is rubbish and I cant find a helper I will just leave his tail. I can do manes ok.

Is a showing cane a must or can a long whip do?
Click to expand...

I bought my tweed jacket off ebay second hand, it's a mears one and I only paid £35 for it! :D I'm not too sure about a whip :confused:, but if it is of any help, I know showings canes can be as cheap as £7 brand new.

I am cr*p at plaiting tails, I get one of my friends to do it for me. My friend who's the showing judge said if I didn't want to pull it, (which I don't fancy standing behind a two year old pulling his tail lol), she said to gel it down, tail bandage it and take it out just before the class. xx :D
 
You can do inhand in your bridle at any level, Also i was always taught to loosen the hold with your top hand (the one under his head) when trotting so it shows the horses natural movement better.

Re the martingale: If you really need it, use it. You should not be marked down for it's presence. However, if it comes down to a tie between you - with martingale and another horse - in correct tack so no martingale, The horse with the correct tack will always be placed higher. This goes for all classes, Working hunter included.

The whip should be a showing cane.

And that rehorses site is fab, it really should tell you what you need to know.
 
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