unaffiliated showing - a question

[blood_magik]

My boys doing his first showing class on saturday and as we're complete showing novices, i had a question about whiskers

basically, he hates them being interfered with so i was wondering if i would get away with not trimming them

*crosses fingers*

also, he has a few stray hairs around his eyes - how the hell do i get rid of them without the risk of poking his eyes out with a pair of scissors?

any help greatly appreciated as i'd prefer not to look like a total numpty next to all the shiny, tidy ponies
cake for all

 

[fleabittengrey]

Absolutely fine - just cover his muzzle with some baby oil or appropriate horse make up to give a glossy finishing touch, a judge will probably never even notice and you would never get "marked down" for it as people on message boards like to phrase it, no such "mark" exists and show judging is a bit more intricate than that!!

Like you I also am terrified of sticking sharp cutting things near eyes, have done it in the past and regretted it!

TBH I have left eye whiskers on(though chin ones usually come off with the clippers) and show young or green horses in a snaffle, (by which I count if I wouldn't enter them for an Elementary test in a double, I'm not going to let a judge ride them in a double) and have qualified horses as such for various national finals.

 

[blood_magik]

he's doing the ridden veteran class - am i right in saying i can show him in any bit or am i getting confused with working hunter?
the girl that's riding him isn't sure about riding in double reins so i thought i would stick to a snaffle.

im very tempted to attack the whiskers because i think it'll make him look that bit more "finished" but if i start then i'll have to finish the job otherwise it will just look wrong

 

[fleabittengrey]

I would put your horse in whatever he behaves best in - if he is used to the snaffle, stick with that. If he is experienced in something with curb action, and the rider is adept at working him in it, then thats fine. Gut instinct to me says snaffle.
You are right, whiskers off and eye feelers on does look odd ... but I'm too chicken with young/jumpy horses to get near that area!

 

[appylass]

Try gel-ing the whiskers flat, can work well if you use a really strong one. I didn't trim whiskers or eye hairs when I was showing at local, a judge once asked me why 'as he was so beautifully turned out'. I explained that he was a 'normal' horse who lived out and needed his whiskers to feel with. I was still placed

 

[blood_magik]

thanks for all the advice

I would put your horse in whatever he behaves best in - if he is used to the snaffle, stick with that. If he is experienced in something with curb action, and the rider is adept at working him in it, then thats fine. Gut instinct to me says snaffle.
You are right, whiskers off and eye feelers on does look odd ...

he's used to being worked in both but i usually ride with roundings rather than with double reins as i mainly use the pelham for brakes when jumping
i think the snaffle is probably going to be the best option for Ellie when she shows him - if it aint broke, dont fix it, right?

i quite like his whiskers - they make him look like an old man because he certainly doesn't act like one
the standards were ridiculously high at the last local show so i think i should really at least attempt to tackle the stray hairs.
hopefully he'll forgive me