Showing - stirrup leather question

SpottedCat

SpottedCat

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Ok, so in a moment of madness I have entered the fat eventer in a WH class. It was pointed out to me today that I might just want to make sure my stirrups go long enough for the ride judge, who may potentially be a 6ft bloke. I ride on kids leathers as I am very short on a big horse.

So easily solved I hear you say - get some longer leathers and put lots of holes in. Ok...but the problem is this - with the longer leathers, they hang over the back of the saddle and tap his flanks, which makes him buck! No ideal in a showing class.
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So, any suggestions? Bright ideas I have not thought of?

Thankyou!
 
Why not borrow some leathers and swap before the judge gets on, you should have plenty of time unless you're pulled out first sure they'll wait a few seconds while your groom swaps them.
 
Which show is it? If we're there you can always borrow my leathers. I never use loops on the saddle as I think they're a bit dangerous so I just let the spare leather hang down. As important as the leather though is the size of the irons, I've been in classes where judge couldn't ride as couldn't get foot in stirrup....
 
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Which show is it? If we're there you can always borrow my leathers. I never use loops on the saddle as I think they're a bit dangerous so I just let the spare leather hang down. As important as the leather though is the size of the irons, I've been in classes where judge couldn't ride as couldn't get foot in stirrup....

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Oh god, I had not thought of that either! Arrrgh. And think of how clean he will have to be...
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Out of interest why do you think they are dangerous?

I just thought it looked smarter to tuck them in, but you are right I could let them hang down. I don't think I am allowed to swap for new ones?

Right, so I need to make sure the stirrups are big enough for a bloke's foot, leathers are long enough. At least the saddle is a 17.5" so should be big enough!
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Remind me why I am doing this? It's Mid Somerset BTW.
 
I never tuck my stirrups in the loops either (in fact my showing saddle doesn't have the leather loops) and you should always have the little hinge on the end of the bar horizontal - it's so if you fall off and you're foot gets stuck in the stirrup, the leather will come off. If the leather is tucked in it could potentially get stuck and you could get dragged........
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I love that show and will aim to be there though may not be jumping unless I've taken her high heels off.
Borrow my leathers and irons.
I shall do the small hunter which is at sparrow fart, are you jumping as well?
 
Probably not as Lucy and I are dropping in on our way back from the Dorset show so will have done 3 days of BSJA. Mind you if I am feeling enthusiastic I may enter something on the day.
 
Lots of people take in spare leathers (and stirrups as some judges have enormous feet!). Don't use the leather straps on the saddle for tucking in your spare leather. These are for surcingles or an over girth (or something like that) and definitely not for your leathers! If you need to, you can fold your stirrup leather under the bit of leather nearest the buckle and fold it back on itself. This keeps it secure and also takes up a bit of length. We ususally do that.
 
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Lots of people take in spare leathers (and stirrups as some judges have enormous feet!). Don't use the leather straps on the saddle for tucking in your spare leather. These are for surcingles or an over girth (or something like that) and definitely not for your leathers! If you need to, you can fold your stirrup leather under the bit of leather nearest the buckle and fold it back on itself. This keeps it secure and also takes up a bit of length. We ususally do that.

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Well that answers that then! Showing is such a minefield. After all this we will probably have a fence down and not need to go back in anyway!
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Thanks all.
 
It won't work like that so no copping out!!!!
You'll probably go back in whether or not you are clear, ridden by judge then he'll be stripped.
Is Lucy doing it too?
 
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It won't work like that so no copping out!!!!
You'll probably go back in whether or not you are clear, ridden by judge then he'll be stripped.
Is Lucy doing it too?

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No, she is grooming for me! And doing some BSJA I think. It was her who talked me into it, I am well out of my depth, last time I did WH was on a 14.2 about 12 years ago at very local level. I am just glad he has no white on him!!
 
Borrow mine - With my size 9 feet any judge will be fine with my stirrups. We will have enough kit with us to change around leathers and stirrups after we have seen the judge. I will be there with my sponge and baby oil! Cannot wait I think it will be fun!
 
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Borrow mine - With my size 9 feet any judge will be fine with my stirrups. We will have enough kit with us to change around leathers and stirrups after we have seen the judge. I will be there with my sponge and baby oil! Cannot wait I think it will be fun!

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Thankyou! Ok, I take it I am under orders to have fun?! You will have three days before hand to help me sort out a show. I seem to recall my one for the pony revolved round a figure of eight and a gallop down the back of the line up. Remind me to put my tweed in the lorry too or I will be stuffed! (Or J will have to bring it down to me!).
 
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You won't have to do a show either - sorry.....
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Since when?! Well, that's one less thing to remember too I guess! Why on earth do WHP have to do one then? Is it because the judge doesn't ride?

This is going to be hysterical, I hope one of you will be armed with the camcorder so we can have a laugh at the next pub trip!
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If nothing else it will remind me how much I like eventing!

So I will jump jumps, they will call me back in even if he knocks them down (because it will of course be his fault and nothing to do with my riding
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), we will walk and trot (and canter?) round, then the ride judge will ride, then we will strip them and everyone will be horrified because he has a white patch so it looks like his saddle doesn't fit where he reacted to fly spray, then we trot up, tack back up and I get on again, then we walk round and get called in.

Is that it?!
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Jumpin first - can't remember how it's marked, but biggest proportion of the marks for this. Not everyone goes in again, depends on how many entries and how many jump clear, from experience a fencedown won't stop you going in there.
When you go in, you will walk trot & canter on one rein, then change rein & canter & gallop on other rein. Thenyou'll be called in (may or may not be in order). Ride judge will ride him, then, you'll have a 2nd judge for confo.(he'll be stripped - horse not judge)
Then hop on, walk round & get called in 1st!!!!
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PMSL I admire your optimism. I've never galloped him in company, that could be interesting, thank god for the curb rein is all I can say
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. I will be one of those people everyone hates who has no idea and who someone puts and irate post up about on here.
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Are you sure we can't strip the judge instead?! (if they are young and good looking of course)
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I was told off at Search for a Star last year for not having suitable irons/leathers for the judge, he just about managed to get his feet in mine as I too am very small on a large horse. The solution is to get your groom to bring in ones she prepared earlier!!! Big irons and long leathers and swap them over for the judge and swap back when you take your tack off for the in hand section
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Thinking about it I've never seen a young good looking judge. It's very unfair.
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It is unfair. So maybe we had better not strip the judge then?
 
I will give you a tenner if you say to the judge me or the horse about stripping!! It would make my week!
 
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I will give you a tenner if you say to the judge me or the horse about stripping!! It would make my week!

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I would...but he may not think I am taking the class with the seriousness it deserves and send me out...and anyway, what if he says me?
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It will probably be a very serious lady judge then we have no worries about all this! I like WH as you have to jump and perform not just look nice.
 
Even more exciting have just seen that the Wurzels will be playing in the main ring. You might end up with no groom at all if it all coincides!
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