VHS classes.. Help!

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Allfourfeet

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Firstly, hello :) been a browser for a long time but finally got round to registering, and jumping at opportunity for some advice. I'm the very lucky owner of a 16.3 warm blood who unfortunately suffered a leg injury last year which will mean he's not jumping for the foreseeable future! He's 18 now, although people genuinely think im kidding when I tell them so was looking as doing a bit if veteran classes this year to keep us both entertained. Now I've never ever done any showing so I've got a few questions!

Now I know I will have to turn out to 'type' however he doesn't really fit into a type! He's not quite heavy enough for a hunter (he's very fine for a warmblood) but I'd say he's too big for a riding horse? He moves very well, but I believe he's far too big for a hack? He's very pretty though! So if I was to turn him out as a riding horse (what he seems closest to) is it tweed, and what colour tack, and would I get away with a snaffle or Pelham as he doesn't go great in a double? Or will I be marked down?

In a ridden class, would I have to get off to strip, then tack up and get back on, not easy on a 16.3 horse from the floor?

Is there anything else I should know for these classes? I know they are took very seriously as a second career for show horses, so I know i will never get to Hoys, but equally want to not stick out like a sore thumb! Do horses get marked down for lumps and bumps on legs etc?

Sorry for rambling I could try and get some photos if anyone is bothered onto my pc.
 
Reg is a 'riding horse' and looks quite smart as it- he's a chunky TB, and a good 16.3hh if not more. He's too fine to be a hunter, although can squeak by as one! If he's big and reasonably solid, I'd be inclined to turnout with a spangly browband, but a think noseband, with you in tweed? That's what Al does for RoR on Reg and it's correct...
 
Did some VHS classes a few years ago but would say double check their rules in case they have changed but:

pelham fine.
riding horse - tweed jacket, tie and collar, coloured browband for horse, ideally show tack should always be brown.
Seem to remember as a rider you cannot wear ear rings and don't think you can use/wear spurs though double check.
They don't gallop in the class.

The most recent one I did (couple of years ago) was Windsor which had about 300 in it (felt like it), they didn't strip the horses just as very pushed for time watched them walk/trot away for conformation. Think they do strip them if time. You can normally find someone to leg you up.

From memory, VHS is quite expensive to join so depending on how much you are doing, may or may not be worth while. Think you can do the classes without joining but you cannot qualify. There are lots of other veteran championships around depending where you are.

Don't know about the lumps and bumps for VHS purposes but hopefully someone else can.
 
I did some VHS showing a couple of years back. Lumps and bumps don't matter, they accept that older horses have mileage on the clock and being horses are hardly ever unblemished!
What they are looking for is suppleness and condition in relation to the horses age
 
Hi we have done VHS for the last 2 years with our old lady , the first year we where members and did qualify for the regionals but as this would mean traviling a long distance for one class we didn't bother and the old girl still competes in pony club stuff so has a lot to do anyway :)
Last year we did the same class but not as members and she could have qualifyed again (she is gorgeous) but as my 12yo son was showing her he would had to be a member and as i am her owner i would too which makes it very expensive (for the one show) so i would have a look at there web site and find out if there are enough shows near you to make membership worth it .
We really enjoy the VHS classes because most poeple are showing there life long friend and are so nice :D so this year we are showing the old girl again (with my little girl in charge) and my old boy is going along also .
Ps lumps and bumps and scars are fine as long as the horse is sound (a little stiffness is from what i have seen ok also)
Good luck :D
PPS the pony that won the real oldies class last year was 39:eek:
 
Hi, that's great thank you. He's defiantly hundred percent sound just will always have a very small swelling on his leg, although you'd really have o feel to feel it. Not really looking to qualify but after having him from a baby just wants carry on having fun! I think he should do okay as he still rides like a 8yo and moves like he still thinks he's a baby :D
 
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