Turnout/clothing advice for daughter's first ever show (lead rein)

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DustyDog

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Hi,
My 7 year old daughter is eager to go to a local show in two weeks time..:) She's only been riding for 4 months so I think the lead rein class would be best to start with !! :)Problem is, I have no idea what she should be wearing or what I need to wear. Its 20 years or so since I used to compete and things have dramatically changed since then !
Our pony is a grey 12.2 h Welsh x...I was thinking maybe a grey/blue hacking jacket for her? Can't afford to spend a fortune but would so appreciate any advice or help.
Many thanks
xxxx
 
There's a woman who shows locally with a black pony. She wears navy jacket and long skirt with hot pink details and navy hat (not riding hat) and navy gloves. Little girl is in (i think) navy jacket and hat with pink and navy ribbons. They always look beautiful.

I'd suggest popping along to a couple of shows and having a look.
 
For a first show there is no need to go all out and buy matching outfits. Daughter / pony might detest showing and then you will never wear them again!

I think LRs look very smart in tweed, with a shirt and tie, you could match a hair scrunchie and tie in daughters favourite colour? I think tweed is a greater investment also, daughter can wear it for most things!

For yourself try to match your daughter as much as possible. Local shows are supposed to be about fun for kiddies!

Disclaimer - I have never taken part in any LR showing so my advice may be null and void, just advising what I have seen and like the look of!
 
Thanks for all the advice. Just a question, does anyone know if it would be ok for the adult doing the leading to wear a waistcoat (with shirt, tie and long skirt/trousers) instead of wearing a full tweed jacket? don't really fancy spending a fortune on a jacket as they are still expensive second-hand, and thought it might be more comfortable wearing a waistcoat...

Also should you really wear a hat if you want to have a chance of winning :)??
Finally, would a fresh flower as a buttonhole instead of one of the bought buttonholes look silly ???

x
 
I showed with my daughter on lead in jods long boots waistcoat tie and hat and gloves. only time in long skirt was at championships and personally i hated wearing skirt. just didnt feel right lol :)
 
If you are showing pony as native unplaited then tweed is correct. If pony is plaited then you decide if pony is show/riding type or hunter type. Show pony riders wear navy jackets and the pony wears a coloured velvet browband. Hunter pony riders wear tweed. At local level you will get away with a lot and I have seen people wear jeans and jodhs to lead in but any smart outfit co-ordinating with the child' s will do. A hat is best. Child should wear navy hat and brown gloves and light coloured jodhs with clips or elastic and the handler carries a show cane.

Good luck. I loved lead rein showing when my kids were younger.
 
I just loved lead rein classes when daughter was small, here's some pics of different turnouts for different classes, notice it's the same jacket with different hats and skirts depending on the class, more workmanlike hat for hunter and M&M....note, no buttonhole required with tweed jacket, small discreet one for blue jackets. Pics are very old...lol!
Turnout for show pony..

Turnout for hunter pony..
Turnout for M&M pony..
 
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