Showing Welshies, hints and tips please

Mare Stare

Mare Stare

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As the grumpy grey is staying and needs a job to do, I've taken the advice of fellow HHOers and decided to look into showing.

There's a local show on the 14th April. I am due to give birth on the 17th of April so there are no guarantees that I won't be in hospital on that date (or maybe I'll end up foaling on the showground!! :D)

The show is billed as a "Stallion and Youngstock show" but has got ridden and young handler classes - would I be right in thinking that older ponies and geldings will still be allowed to enter these classes? I've emailed the show secretary and waiting for a reply but thought someone on here might know.

Also, any hints and tips on getting Beau to look his best would be appreciated - especially on how to get his scruffy fluffy mane to grow into something more "show pony"!

Should I lunge him and try to get him to build some muscles? Any exercises (unridden) that I can try?

Tbh, I am 7 months pregnant and quite whale like - I can't believe that I'm going to be spending the last few weeks of my pregnancy chasing a pony that I don't particularly like around a field in an attempt to convince my hubby that he has a use!! I must be completely mad. The things we do for kids. :rolleyes::D

ETA - he also has quite a bit of feather. Would he be marked down for this? Should I trim it off? I know that natives are supposed to be shown au naturel but I also know that people do "tidy up" their horses.
 
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Back Away From The Feathers!!!!! Leave them as is. You should be able to tame his mane with copious amounts of coat shine for a few days before the show. As to muscle tone - only if he has absolutely none what so ever then lunge him, otherwise he should be fine as is.

ALthough it is a Stallion and Youngstock Show the ridden classes are always for 4yo's upwards and will include Stallions, Mares and Geldings. Young Handler Classes are for kids and thus no Stallions are permitted in them so Mare and Geldings only. There is usually also an in-hand class for Barren Mares and Geldings 4yo and Over at these shows but not always.
 
Firstly, don't expect to get it right your first time out, or even your second !!!
Section A's do need to be shown au natural as you say. If a judge spots trimming of feathers, tail etc you will be placed down (definatley no 'banged' tails, cutting staight). Tail bandage any bushy tails.
One single poll plait is acceptable, train the mane, I tend to tight spanish plait few days before the show. You can discretely pull the mane put only to show the neck line. Jaw line hairs can also be discretely trimmed.
Don't bath day before the show ( Big fluffy coat) and try a very lightweight rug to flatten any winter coat.
If its warm enough to bath try Wahl shampoo's - I love them, not expensive and range that includes one for grey's.
Cowboy Magic super show shine is brilliant.
To be honest I use anything from pig oil, baby wipes, vaseline etc etc.
A hot slightly damp towell is great for last minute wipe over to pick up any dust, some mix with bit of dettol.
Also chalk is a must.
Now on to practising for the ring.... Lots of leading on the outside, turning corners can be tricky at a fast trot. Welshies are expected to really show themselves. Also standing still for long periods especially if you have a large class. There is no need for lots of lungeing.
A white rope halter looks great but an in-hand bridle is fine or ridden bridle for young handler.
Hope this is of help. Most of all though enjoy it.
 
cambrica said:
Firstly, don't expect to get it right your first time out, or even your second !!!
Section A's do need to be shown au natural as you say. If a judge spots trimming of feathers, tail etc you will be placed down (definatley no 'banged' tails, cutting staight). Tail bandage any bushy tails.
One single poll plait is acceptable, train the mane, I tend to tight spanish plait few days before the show. You can discretely pull the mane put only to show the neck line. Jaw line hairs can also be discretely trimmed.
Don't bath day before the show ( Big fluffy coat) and try a very lightweight rug to flatten any winter coat.
If its warm enough to bath try Wahl shampoo's - I love them, not expensive and range that includes one for grey's.
Cowboy Magic super show shine is brilliant.
To be honest I use anything from pig oil, baby wipes, vaseline etc etc.
A hot slightly damp towell is great for last minute wipe over to pick up any dust, some mix with bit of dettol.
Also chalk is a must.
Now on to practising for the ring.... Lots of leading on the outside, turning corners can be tricky at a fast trot. Welshies are expected to really show themselves. Also standing still for long periods especially if you have a large class. There is no need for lots of lungeing.
A white rope halter looks great but an in-hand bridle is fine or ridden bridle for young handler.
Hope this is of help. Most of all though enjoy it.
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Most of ^ this


The Welsh A I have now came to me a year ago with a bog brush excuse for a mane :D I plaited it in long plaits the length of the neck and left it like that for about a month. Every week I would brush out the main and re do them. Mane now sits pretty flat on the right hand side of her neck.

Don't forget to do standing up practice and make sure he is happy to stand square.

At the end of the day just have some fun.

Personally I think you are mad attempting to do all this while imminently about to pop a baby out but then, when I think about it, anyone with a horse is slightly mad, some just more than others :rolleyes::D
 
Agree would definatley reconsider the pregnancy showing. Crikey I was bigger than my horse at that stage. See if you can recruit a handler.
 
cambrica said:
Agree would definatley reconsider the pregnancy showing. Crikey I was bigger than my horse at that stage. See if you can recruit a handler.
Click to expand...

Ahh! I've already got a volunteer to show him - my 13 year old daughter!

I'm far too lazy to be running around at any time, let alone when I am due to drop!!:D
 
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