tack for working hunter pony classes?

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flutterby321

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Doing a whp class on monday, and very very confused about tack! Last time I competed I was told I should ride in a snaffle with no martingale/flash etc. so I did so.
But a couple of days ago I was told that you can use any bit, plus flashes, martingales, and any type of tack really!
Am now very confused.. was planning to stick in snaffle with no martingale, but now completely thrown! Any advice/rules that give tack requirements? Thanks :)
 
flutterby321 said:
Doing a whp class on monday, and very very confused about tack! Last time I competed I was told I should ride in a snaffle with no martingale/flash etc. so I did so.
But a couple of days ago I was told that you can use any bit, plus flashes, martingales, and any type of tack really!
Am now very confused.. was planning to stick in snaffle with no martingale, but now completely thrown! Any advice/rules that give tack requirements? Thanks :)
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If you jump happily in a snaffle stick with that.
You are allowed a martingale and a flash is ok (my boy just had a snaffle and cavesson, no martingale so I might not be 100% correct)
Either no numnah or a discrete one and plain leather for bridle, no fancy bling ;)
If you choose to use boots just remember to take them off after jumping.
 
I've always taken the view that working hunter ponies and horses should be ridden in snaffles (says alot about control and generally gives better manners' marks etc) and with martingales, that's what I look for anyway :)
Dark numnahs or slimcut ones are best, less distracting to overall picture.
 
running martingales are allowed in working hunter, although I wouldn't wear one if I can get away with it because it might say to the judge that the pony throws its head back although that may just be me.
 
Just flick through H&H - plenty of Championship-winning WHPs wear martingales/hunting breastplates. Basically hunting tack is allowed (the clue's in the name ;)) so anything you'd reasonably wear out hunting, the plainer and simpler the better. Any reasonable bit, cavesson/flash/grakle (ultra-trendy ;)), hunting breastplate/martingale, front boots for jumping part only.
 
Any thing like pictures below


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n653537399_1245536_236.jpg


remember when your doing your jump round, you need to go at a 'hunting' pace its needs to be as smooth as possible :).

Have fun
 
Okay, thanks for everyones advice :) think I'll wear my fulmer snaffle with a flash and no martingale. What about stud girths? My pony does tuck up a bit, so I like to put one on him, just in case :) also, are you allowed spurs?
 
Basically keep it as simple as you can get away with. If your pony will jump a beautiful round with just the snaffle then great! But if your round will be better in a stronger bit, then go for that. It is perfomance and your ponies conformation that really counts in the end. Personally I don't believe judges pay a huge amount of attention to the bitting unless it's a very close call between 2 ponies, in which case it could be used as a tie breaker. I've seen heavily bitted ponies jump beautiful rounds and go on to win over snaffled ponies who's rounds wern't so nice, or even who did have nice rounds but wern't quite as correct a pony.

You can't wear spurs in any pony show classes I'm afraid.

I can't see the problem with using a stud girth if you must, but personally I'd prefer to see something a little less obtrusive and less 'showjumpy'.
 
really, no spurs? Thats weird, i know someone who's been quite successful at local shows wearing them? I think I'll probably go without though, just in case :)
 
Spurs are allowed in the working hunter horse classes, but not in working hunter M&M classes or in working hunter pony classes.
 
WHP classes are generally 'any suitable bridle' I always used a pelham with two reins and a hunting breastplate.
 
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