Showing youngsters

robcl

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I have a yearling to show this year, and although have shown ponies in hand before have not done this before.
He is a sports horse type,
Does anyone have any advice e.g dress, tack, turnout, pointers as to how to show
 
hi, when i helped groom for some irish draft /sport horse people horses would be fully plaited trimmed. wearing an inhand bridle with rubber bit /mouthing bit. the man who showed for them wore a smart jacket beige trouses and black shoes show cane he also wore a bowler hat when i took the foals in i would have similar atire but with a black velvet riding hat. if your horse has any white bits gold lable do a really good white paste thats amazing also if horse is bay and has any small white blemeshes use boot polish to hide.
 
here's a photo of ludo (millview ludovic) he won royal welsh 2 year old sport horse breeding class.

Ludo.jpg
 
Sports horse type should be turned out the same way as hunter youngstock. Plain havanna in-hand bridle with no bling or fanciness - just nice and plain.
Horse should be plaited and tail either plaited or pulled.

Handler should wear tweed jacket with shirt & tie, comfortable trousers such as cords or moleskin (not jeans) and sturdy boots you can run in without slipping and brown gloves.

You should wear a hard hat (with or without harness) or men should wear bowlers.
You can carry a showing cane or some people take a schooling whip and don't get marked down for it.

Before you go yourself, go and watch a couple of the early shows to get the feel of it and good luck but don't take things too seriously or take things personally. Some judges will love your horse, others won't !!
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Practice trottong your youngster up in hand as this will be required, as will be standing up for the judge to have a look. it is lovely to see an obedient youngster being shown properly.

It can be stressful taking a youngster out but the benefits will become apparent once you start the backing process as they will have seen and heard a lot more than others - but don't over do it. Youngsters can get bored and soured easily.

Enjoy x
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Ditto irishdraught - Don't forget in sports horse classes you have to walk and trot around three cones in a triangle shape. So check your horse sisn't afriad of cones or flower pots and that you can steer!
 
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