Tips and advice for in hand showing

[Alishia22]

Do’s and don’t’s of in hand showing please?!
I’m going to my first inhand local show at the end of the Month and I’m looking for some advice. I have a 2 year old piebald sports horse. What colour of bridle should I go for ? As there’s so many conflicting arguments about black or brown! Also any other tips and advice would be really appreciated!

 

[countryal]

As long as it is smart, fits and is clean the colour doesn't matter. Saying that, black may go better with a piebald, but there are no rules about tack colour.

Make sure you've practiced loading and travelling, and your horse is used to being with other horses so it doesn't come as shock to being walked around with others. Practice trotting out, standing for a judge, and making sure you have some control!

Have fun!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

As above really. Just make sure yourself and your horse are clean and tidy. Wear the opposite coloured trousers to your horses legs ie if black legs wear light trousers. Above all just enjoy.

 

[Sparkeyboy]

I believe brown tack is 'traditional' for showing but for a piebald black would also look smart. I've only ever shown natives but I believe a sports horse would need to be plaited? Happy to be corrected!

Smart shirt, trousers, waist coat and hat would be good. When you stand the horse up for the judge, make sure you're not blocking their view as they walk around the horse. Take your time so you don't get in a flap. Practice standing your horse up nice and square so you're not having to faff when stood in front of the judge. Walk away and turn a half circle large enough so your horse doesn't shorten his steps. Trot straight back,, the judge will move out of your way.

Good luck and enjoy it! And ask for feedback from the judge when they've done the placings

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Brown tack is more correct but for low level it doesn't matter, always stay at the horses shoulder a lot of people make the mistake of getting to infront of the horse.

Really get your horse moving forwards make it look effortless, teach your horse to stand up square a few treats in your pocket can help with this.

Google some show photos and get an idea of what you want to wear, mine are dark legged so I have beige cords, brown short boots, lemon shirt navy waistcoat, navy yellow tie and a navy velvet beagler hat.

 

[Pippity]

Really get your horse moving forwards make it look effortless

Related, make sure they don't go faster than you can run!

 

[dorsetladette]

Rule of thumb is usually brown tack for pony shown in natural state (not plaited) and black tack for a plaited pony, but at low level clean smart tack works just fine, especially with babies who grow out of everything.

Wear trousers that contrast to your horses legs so judge can see how your pony moves easily.

Pony should have good manners and stand patiently for the judge. Stand in front of your pony so you can see him. If he moves you can correct it instantly. As SB said walk straight away from the judge turn a nice large circle away from you so pony doesn't become unbalanced and then trot back. I like to walk a couple of strides before asking for trot so the pony is completely straight before the transition. Trot straight back at the judge so they can see how straight your pony moves.

but most importantly - have fun!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Related, make sure they don't go faster than you can run!

Can relate also I have Arab's I can never keep up with them