Veteran Horse Society

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Does anybody here show with the Veteran horse society? My boy is almost
24 and having just seen the champion at 33 win at Olympia, I am thinking about registering him.

I see you don’t have to plait up? Is that correct? Also, in the ridden classes, how is it judged? My boy does have some arthritis so I don’t ride him truly ‘round’ any more as he would struggle with his hocks but he goes fantastically if allowed to go how he prefers… is this something that is allowed or would I be penalised for it?

I want to do the in hand with him either way but this will help me decide if we should give the ridden class a go too. Thanks ?
 
If you want to do Olympia then it’s the Senior Showing and Dressage not the VHS. You have to turn out to type, so the ones that won Olympia this year were and M&M and a traditional coloured which are showing au natural. If your horse is a hunter type etc then you would need to plait I’m afraid! They are marked on their show, confirmation and suppleness, but scars etc aren’t penalised.
 
I dabbled in VHS showing last year and qualified for the finals but unfortunately the boy got sick so we couldn’t go.

the London international is not run by VHS I can’t think what there called but they don’t run as many qualifiers as VHS and it’s much more expensive.
You do turn out for type, mine is show hunter-ish so he was plaited. The VHS have the handbook on their website with all the rules etc. The shows are fun and well managed.
If you Google VHS shows on YouTube there are plenty of good videos on there showing what there all about :)
 
We do both - just missed out on LIHS but did qualify VHS supreme. VHS very friendly and lots of different classes at their championship show which is Arena UK in October. As above turn out to type. SSADL (the LIHS classes) do a set show. You don't gallop in either.
 
One of them, can't remember which one, does not allow make up or the likes to be used on the horses at all. I think chalking socks is as much as you are allowed to do.

Both societies work to different standards. SSADL (Olympia qualifiers) are very much about the story of the horse rather than the actual animal itself. So a sob story works best there.

I've never bothered with either of them to be honest as it's hugely expensive if you are chasing tickets and want to go to the finals. Which are a very long way from Scotland for me.
 
humblepie said:
I can’t remember who did the VHS champ photos but all breeds and types there. If you join the VHS showing Facebook page you’ll get lots of help and can see photos. You’ll really enjoy it.
Click to expand...

thank you! He has been a hunter mostly in terms of career but has done just about everything. I think he will enjoy it too as I imagine the atmosphere can be quite exciting in this things ? we are local to arena uk too which is very useful for the championships etc. I’ve just had a look at the other society to the VHS and can’t decide what to join. I think I might be best to do VHS first and see if we enjoy it as it seems a bit cheaper and more friendly as people have said and there are more shows close by. If we do, I may go for an Olympia qualifier but see what he thinks first!
 
If anyone is interested in showing just be aware a lot of veteran showing classes horses age starts from 15 years old. so a real old horse is at a disadvantage because most are mid to late teens horses your are competing against.
 
The classes with the societies are split 15-19, 20-24,25 plus for one of them and the other is 15-18, 19 to I’m not sure then another age group. The SSADL run mixed age classes for some things and the LIHS are done in age groups then the champion of the age group qualifies. VHS does age group qualification for the championships, finals for the age groups then champion from the groups.

VHS are friendlier and very well organised.
 
humblepie said:
The classes with the societies are split 15-19, 20-24,25 plus for one of them and the other is 15-18, 19 to I’m not sure then another age group. The SSADL run mixed age classes for some things and the LIHS are done in age groups then the champion of the age group qualifies. VHS does age group qualification for the championships, finals for the age groups then champion from the groups.

VHS are friendlier and very well organised.
Click to expand...
Thanks this is very helpful! Think I’ll have a stab with the VHS and see how we do. My boy is 19 but so far doesn’t look it (other than a frosty mane but it’s been that way for 10 years!
Edited to add a photo because why not 🤣
 

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