Showing tips please!

Montyforever

Montyforever

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Hopefully (fingers crossed there's not a sudden snow storm or something :rolleyes: ) have an oppertunity to take my mare to a show. It will be a first for both of us and she's prone to getting a bit over excited at times!
She's a grey welsh section a so tips for getting her clean/presentable are much appreciated :D
Not sure what the classes are yet but I'd assume she could do welsh/mountain and moorland inhand etc?
Just generally any tips are appreciated, our only trip out so far has been to the vets ..
 
Can't help on the cleaning greys bit at all I'm afraid (I've got dark horses so we only do a bit of chalking on little white socks!!)

For in-hand in either welsh or M&M classes the format is similar: walk in together for the go round, individual trot-ups, line up and then come out individually for the conformation judging and another trot-up.
Think about how you would present her for each of these elements and practice at home (a LOT!!). If you can get some help in setting up a mock show it will help a lot - we rope in friends and various sundry neighbourhood ponies to have a practice, even non-horsey people can join in as 'judges' and noisy 'audience' members:).

Check out the WPCS website for permitted tack - although a lot of mares wear white halters you can show in show bridles or riding bridles - just use what suits her best. For example, I have a D mare who doesn't really like a white halter so we show her in a neat show bridle - it's permitted tack for the breed.

She should obviously be presented in the correct manner for the breed - ie no obvious trimming, no plaiting (except for a small single plait at the top of the mane to show off a neat jawline). Part of the breed description is the action so try to get her to show off her trot (hence the lots of practice- for both of you!!)

She WILL be excited so give yourselves plenty of time before your class to get used to the sights and sounds of the showground. If she's not done it before then she may be a bit bewildered in the ring - don't worry, most Welsh are born showgirls and they soon work out what's what. Treat your first few shows as training, it's important that she enjoys herself - nothing better than having a sparkly-eyed, ears pricked, 'toe-flicking' little pal in the ring with you.
 
I had a grey, apart from stable stains etc I didn't have too much problem keeping her grey (as opposed to greys that go more yellow with staining).

Special grey shampoo (it was about 6 years out of date but still did the job).

I used to wash her tail regularly to keep it cleaner, think they stain the most (think how yellow the end is compared to the top of their tail).

No doubt she will roll in a massive pile of poo the night before, this was my one's speciality!

chalk block for their lower legs, again they tend to stain more.

EDS: good luck and have fun! :D
 
I have two Welsh section A ponies, both grey (didnt think that through)

To be honest it matters less what you wash them with and more on keeping on top of the situation so they dont get too bad

I do like Champion Tails powdered strain remover for my 'white' grey's tail though, it always brings it up lovely and white

His body gets washed in Dermoline insecticidal shampoo and his legs with whatever is closest to hand, usually the Dermoline but I also have Cowboy Magic shampoo that is quite good

I do think though with warm water and repeat washing and rinsing you could use pretty much any shampoo and get him sparkling

Tail bags are useful when they are out in muddy fields

I havent shown mine yet but one gets bathed a lot as he suffers from sweet itch as if he gets grubby he itches more

I'm not sure if your pony is registered or not but if he isnt that will rule him out for a lot of shows including a surprising amount of local ones. A mistake I made when buying my first Welsh A! still, I have an alternative job in mind for him!
 
White halter and the more firey the better for welsh! Within reason of course but they do like them het up a bit! Mane should also be pulled/neatened - google images of Welsh A's and you'll see what I mean!
 
Thanks everyone :)
She's registered, she's a twyford and pretty well bred but a finer type without the knee action so she gets mistaken for a welsh b quite a lot! She prances everywhere when excited so we will definetely tick the firey box :o
Yep I'm not going looking to win (although that would be lovely!) just to get her out as its something I've always wanted to do :) she's the most spoilt diva welshie I've ever known so I'm sure she will love a chance to show off!
 
Handler - shirt, tie, trousers in the opposite shade to your ponies legs - dark legs = cream/beige/stone colours, white legs = navy or bottle green trousers.

Depending on what Welsh section you have as to whether you go down the waistcoast route or the tweed jacket route. A's, C's and D's = waistcoat, B's = tweed jacket.
 
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