Shows

[Kavala]

My daughter was hoping to take her pony to their first show, although she was not planning to compete and was just taking him to see what he makes of it all and how he behaves.

What I was wondering was does it matter what time we get there at? Do all horses and ponies need to be there before the judging starts or can we just turn up anytime?

Don't think we will be able to get there until about 11:30 as I need to wait for my husband to finish work.

 

[AmieeT]

Should't be a problem- generally there are people coming and going all day long, people doing morning classes tend to get there earlier, whole those doing later classes will arrive later- I know my horse would be bored and be a pain if I had to wait ages!

I know you said she's not competing, but maybe consider wearing show clothes etc just in case? If he is very good, you might wish you'd entered

Good luck!

Ax

 

[catkin]

Good idea to take the pony to a show without the pressure of competing - loads of people do this with young/green/new ponies, it's a fantastic education for horse and human alike.

I'd agree with the poster above though - take some time to get him 'show-ready' before you leave and take showing clothes, just in case they are both having a good time and fancy trying out the ring!!

 

[catkin]

Good idea to take the pony to a show without the pressure of competing - loads of people do this with young/green/new ponies, it's a fantastic education for horse and human alike.

I'd agree with the poster above though - take some time to get him 'show-ready' before you leave and take showing clothes, just in case they are both having a good time and fancy trying out the ring!!

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I'd also maybe check with the show secretary to make sure they don't mind you attending and not competing. Most are absolutely fine with it, though may ask you to make a small contribution.

 

[Wiz201]

Check if you can enter on the day or if you need to enter beforehand?

 

[Kavala]

We had planned to go last Saturday but unfortunately had a few problems loading the pony so gave up after an hour as he was getting really stressed. Daughter going to spend the next few weeks trying to get him used to loading, some days he is fine and then others he just refuses to go in!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'd also maybe check with the show secretary to make sure they don't mind you attending and not competing. Most are absolutely fine with it, though may ask you to make a small contribution.

Actually it would be better to enter a class which you have no intention of putting the pony in, or into an in-hand class with little pressure, such as pretty pony, which if the pony is behaving well on the showground you could take the pony in. It costs a great deal, both financially and in human effort, to put on a show. I think it is extremely cheeky to go an use the facilities without a financial contribution, unless, of course, you are prepared to volunteer to set up/take down the showgroundequipment

 

[Kavala]

It was my daughters instructor who suggested we take him along, she is also one of the organisers. We would have been more than happy to pay contribution or help with setting up or taking down equipment but as it turned we didn't make it in the end.