Showing riding horse/hack advice please.

[oldie48]

Rose and I are totally new to showing but having been to an TSR clinic, Rose did rather well and I've been told she could show as a hack or riding horse as there are few hack classes. I have black tack, dressage saddle and very elderly GP, two bridles a Micklem and a cavesson with a rather bulky noseband. I know I should have brown tack but for novice/lower level classes, is this necessary? Also would really appreciate suggestions on a velvet brow band, colour etc. I'm posting a pic of Rose in the cavesson.
I don't have a tweed jacket but I do have a navy lightweight shorter length Pickeur jacket and also a black wool jacket with a velvet collar which is probably more like a show jacket. which is better? I've got beige breeches although I wear white for dressage. My hat is navy but not velvet, my navy velvet hat has faded so much it looks brown. I don't have a show cane. Oh and what should I put under the saddle? I use saddle pads rather than numnahs and the only numnah I have is white!
How can I have a bit of fun without spending a fortune?

 

[Roxylola]

Navy jacket and beige is fine and goes with your hat. Personally I'd wear whichever saddle fits best and looks tidiest (presumably dressage) and go from there

 

[Pinkvboots]

If you are only aiming to do local level showing you will be ok with most of what you have, but if you decide to go county affiliated you will stand out like sore thumb.

You would definitely need a discreet numnah whatever colour your saddle is so black in your case.

Navy jacket would look better than black definitely beige jods.

I would use the daintiest plain bridle you have just have cavesson nose band, I would go for a red white and navy brow band or just plain red, and wear a light blue shirt and red tie. I would invest in a navy velvet hat you can't beat them for looking best in a show ring.

 

[Leandy]

Agree with Pinkvboots although I might not be so strict on the colours of browband/shirt and tie she mentions. Love a maroon/burgundy colour on a dark bay. Your numnah should be very neat and only just show all around your saddle in black or brown. If you are entering open classes you should be be in a double bridle (or pelham with two reins). You can technically only get away with a snaffle for novice classes. You should have a discrete button hole (I think, definitely correct when I was showing many moons ago in any event), and buy, borrow or steal a showing cane. Take a look at some pictures online of the classes you are planning to enter or go and see a couple before you enter. Noone wants to look significantly out of place and it will be much more fun if you feel you fit in. Have fun. Don't forget the judge will likely ride your horse and you may well be required to strip (the horse!) and run up in hand also although local shows vary on those points.

 

[oldie48]

Agree with Pinkvboots although I might not be so strict on the colours of browband/shirt and tie she mentions. Love a maroon/burgundy colour on a dark bay. Your numnah should be very neat and only just show all around your saddle in black or brown. If you are entering open classes you should be be in a double bridle (or pelham with two reins). You can technically only get away with a snaffle for novice classes. You should have a discrete button hole (I think, definitely correct when I was showing many moons ago in any event), and buy, borrow or steal a showing cane. Take a look at some pictures online of the classes you are planning to enter or go and see a couple before you enter. Noone wants to look significantly out of place and it will be much more fun if you feel you fit in. Have fun. Don't forget the judge will likely ride your horse and you may well be required to strip (the horse!) and run up in hand also although local shows vary on those points.

Thanks that's really helpful. I've got a DB but I've not tried her in it yet, something else to think about!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Oldie, the info on the link is still relative today, should answer all your questions
Show hacks
One thing, hat must be of up to date standard x

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

If the judge is riding then always go for the GP saddle. They are less restrictive and many judges don't like the full impact of a dressage saddle wedging you into a position. If you don't want to carry a cane then don't. I rarely do on everything from my natives to my TB's. I usually only carry them when riding one particular shetland and my Darty, they complete the look and are only about £10-12 for a simple leather covered one that will do the job.

If you can get a plain flat noseband that would be much, much better that the chunky one you currently have. You also can't show in a Micklem. Black tack is fine so long as it fits correctly. Never, ever wear a black jacket in the show ring unless you are in mourning! Only men can wear black on hacks in championships and that's because they are wearing Morning suits.

Browbands - you can do what you like these days! Quite a lot go for blingy bling attached to their velvet. I personally don't think you can beat a traditional red white and blue but which colour takes precedence is your choice. Mine is mostly white with a stream of red, blue and gold through it.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Agree with Pinkvboots although I might not be so strict on the colours of browband/shirt and tie she mentions. Love a maroon/burgundy colour on a dark bay. Your numnah should be very neat and only just show all around your saddle in black or brown. If you are entering open classes you should be be in a double bridle (or pelham with two reins). You can technically only get away with a snaffle for novice classes. You should have a discrete button hole (I think, definitely correct when I was showing many moons ago in any event), and buy, borrow or steal a showing cane. Take a look at some pictures online of the classes you are planning to enter or go and see a couple before you enter. Noone wants to look significantly out of place and it will be much more fun if you feel you fit in. Have fun. Don't forget the judge will likely ride your horse and you may well be required to strip (the horse!) and run up in hand also although local shows vary on those points.

I actually like burgundy as well and you are right a lovely burgundy gold brow band would look lovely then you could wear a matching tie.

 

[humblepie]

Just to say if doing riding horse you should wear tweed. Navy is for hacks only. Local level can vary hugely and the jacket shouldn’t be too taken into account but would say to find a tweed if possible. if You are a size 12 I have a really nice one I don’t wear now and you’d be welcome to borrow.

 

[oldie48]

Just to say if doing riding horse you should wear tweed. Navy is for hacks only. Local level can vary hugely and the jacket shouldn’t be too taken into account but would say to find a tweed if possible. if You are a size 12 I have a really nice one I don’t wear now and you’d be welcome to borrow.

Thank you that's really kind unfortunately I am rather larger than a 12 on top!

 

[oldie48]

I have bitten the bullet and ordered a navy velvet hat and a show bridle which was as cheap as buying a more suitable nose band for the bridle I have. Currently debating on browband, then I can decide on show shirt and tie. Good news on the saddle though as I got the old GP out and it's cleaned up rather nicely and as it's not too forward cut I do think it will be better than the dressage saddle. Trainer at the TSR clinic did comment on the knee blocks although they are relatively small compared to some dressage saddles. I will keep my eye out for a second hand tweed but I'd prefer not to spend much money.

 

[humblepie]

Thank you that's really kind unfortunately I am rather larger than a 12 on top!

No problem at all. May see you out and about.

 

[Fiona]

I have bitten the bullet and ordered a navy velvet hat and a show bridle which was as cheap as buying a more suitable nose band for the bridle I have. Currently debating on browband, then I can decide on show shirt and tie. Good news on the saddle though as I got the old GP out and it's cleaned up rather nicely and as it's not too forward cut I do think it will be better than the dressage saddle. Trainer at the TSR clinic did comment on the knee blocks although they are relatively small compared to some dressage saddles. I will keep my eye out for a second hand tweed but I'd prefer not to spend much money.

Sounds like you're all organised oldie....

Good luck, and don't forget pics...

Fiona

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Riding Horses can actually be shown in Navy or Tweed for women. Men wear tweed only but women can wear either. It's just no one really does which is why everyone assumes it is tweed only.

 

[oldie48]

I have now chosen the brow band and gone for Navy/red/white and silver diamante diamond pattern from KK browbands with a matching buttonhole. It was a lot cheaper than some I looked at and as Rose is more or less Black in her summer coat with no white on her face or anywhere else I think the white and silver will show up nicely. I think I'm going to go for a white shirt with either a red or navy spotted tie. OH probably has something I can nick and I now have a lovely selection of antique tie pins courtesy of my lovely late MIL. I am really quite excited, even got the rake and did a bit to Rose's tail which is very untidy but terrified I'll make a mess of it! Oh and she has a small part of her mane missing!!!!

 

[humblepie]

True navy is allowed in the rules you just wouldn’t see it at affiliated. Look forward to seeing Rosie showing pictures.

 

[milliepops]

I think you'll enjoy it I did like my little foray into veteran showing with Millie and tbh if it wasn't such a pita getting a horse ready from the field with no facilities I would consider doing a bit more with her. I'm not a showing bod by any stretch of the imagination but it was nice to have a bit of variety. If I thought Kira would behave herself i would contemplate taking her out because it's good for having outings that aren't physically taxing like dressage is.

 

[oldie48]

Velvet hat and bridle arrived today. The joy of internet shopping.

 

[humblepie]

Yeah, exciting. I love prepping a horse for showing - I even go OTT on the tarting up for dressage - at our area festival last year, judge called us over (whoops what I have I done panic moment) and she just wanted to say how beautifully turned out he was! Got a rubbish score but looked smart doing it.

 

[oldie48]

Got back home after my lesson this afternoon and as it is going to be vile tomorrow, got a huge trug of hot water to wash Rose's mane and tail. My attempt at pulling it with a rake doesn't look too bad but I still need to take more out but I lack courage! Met a good friend today who although a dressage pro these days, used to do a lot of showing and he is going to teach me how to do things properly. I plait like a prat, my daughter even as quite a young child wouldn't let me plait her pony up for dressage, that's how bad I am!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Raking manes make for awful plaits! Sorry but they do! You end up with short spikey bits at the base that poke though the plait at all angles and make it look like a curled up hodgeheg!

 

[oldie48]

Raking manes make for awful plaits! Sorry but they do! You end up with short spikey bits at the base that poke though the plait at all angles and make it look like a curled up hodgeheg!

Oh no, didn't touch the mane, only the tail. Just read what I've written and can see why you think that! I've taken out some hair from the sides of the tail but am erring on the side of caution as I definitely don't want it to look like a bottle brush. Her mane is quite thin in places and she still lacks a bit of topline so I'd like to be able to add a bit by careful plaiting.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Oh no, didn't touch the mane, only the tail. Just read what I've written and can see why you think that! I've taken out some hair from the sides of the tail but am erring on the side of caution as I definitely don't want it to look like a bottle brush. Her mane is quite thin in places and she still lacks a bit of topline so I'd like to be able to add a bit by careful plaiting.

Phew! Raking tails is fine as you can always touch it up every week+

 

[be positive]

Make sure you cut the bottom of the tail short enough as well as tidying the top, a rake can do a good job if done little by little until you get the look you want, a dressage friend of mine got 'told off' by a judge last season for leaving it straggly in an ROR class, she did lovely plaits and had everything else correct but when I looked at the photos the tail really let them down.

 

[oldie48]

Make sure you cut the bottom of the tail short enough as well as tidying the top, a rake can do a good job if done little by little until you get the look you want, a dressage friend of mine got 'told off' by a judge last season for leaving it straggly in an ROR class, she did lovely plaits and had everything else correct but when I looked at the photos the tail really let them down.

Oh I know, I've shortened her tail quite a lot but by show standards I think it's still too long. I met an old friend today who is a dressage pro now but used to do a lot of showing when he was younger and he's said he'll help me which I think will helpto give me a bit more confidence but I am still working on the principle that once you've taken it off, it's off!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I'd rather have the tail a touch too long than too short! It's quicker to cut off than grow back and once it's gone it's gone!