Walking a 3.5 yr old to a show...too far? and turnout!

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almrc

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Hi All

Probably a stupid question coming up....

Monkey is 3 years 7 months old. We go for walks about twice a month, about 20 minutes. She lives out all year round. There are a couple of shows coming up locally that I am contemplating taking her to, for in hand showing, just for experience nothing more.

Heres the question, I will be walking her on quiet roads and lanes, it is just under 2 miles. Is this too far to take her?

If not, my next question is as follows. The in hand show classes are quite vague, as it is local there are only 3 classes! It is for best grass kept horse.

What will she need to wear? I imagine she will need to be bitted and in a bridle? If so is this bridle ok? If not what should she have?

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Also, will she need to be plaited mane and tail or....? She is a TB X with Hanovarian and new forest. I repeat, it is a small local show we are just going for fun. She has been to an indoor school once before and been to 2 shows before and seen other horses but thats it so who knows what she will be like!

What do I need to wear?

What will happen at the show, will the judges touch her...do I need to walk trot her round? Help!

Pics for you :) Thank you

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Hello, First off, what a gorgeous horse you've got!

I'm no expert but as it's a local show the bridle in the picture looks fine. You won't need to plait her up for Best Grass Kept just give her a good groom and take a brush with you so you can spruce her up when you get there.
At my local show for B.G.K you walk into the ring with you on the outside so that the judge can see your horse, you might then be asked to trot on. The judge will then call you into the centre where you will step forwards in turn and stand your horse up for the judge.
If you can get your girl to stand square fab, but I wouldn't worry too much as this is her first show. The judge will look at your horse and ask you how old she is etc. They may feel her legs or pick up her feet and give her a stroke.
Then you will be asked to walk away from the judge to the top of the ring and turn and trot back towards the judge and around to your place in the line up. Ideally you should turn your horse away from you when turning if that makes sense.
Finally, you will all be asked to walk around again before being called into the final line up and hopefully in the ribbons!!
Hope this helps and good luck
P.S The distance won't be too much for her, imagine how far they walk pottering around the field all day x
 
I did this with my boy when he was a similar age. Actually it helped because he had burned off some energy before we arrrived.

You will have to walk and trot around the ring with the other horses and then do a trot up. The judge probably will touch the horse, run hands down legs, pick a foot up etc., but if this is a problem then warn them first.

I would plait, but if you don't want to then don't, after all you are reeally only out for the experience and its only a local show. I would use a snaffle bridle (with bit) to give you enough control, and for you just wear your normal riding gear, or normal gear on the top half and a smart pair of trousers on the bottom, carry a whip or a cane if you want.

I used to put a red ribbon on Fitz while we were on the showground. He was never a kicker, but it does make people give you a wider bearth.
 
Oh yes and you should wear a shirt and tie and light coloured (beige/cream) trousers or joddies. If you've got a show jacket fab but so long as you're smart that should be fine for local level. People seem to wear all sorts to our shows. Also gloves and a show cane if you've got them
 
Hiya. She is a lovely looking girlie. Could you not get a lift as guess that you dont have used of trailer/wagon.

Personally i feel that it is too much as its 2 miles there, all time at show and the class (which on its own will be alot for a youngster to take in, thats not done any before) then 2 miles home.
 
It doesn't sound too far.

I've never heard of that class, and don't do a lot of showing in hand, but most classes have the horses walking round in hand (you on the outside of the horse - away from the judge). Then you usually line up and go out to the judge individually, the judge looks over the horse, then you walk away from the judge in a straight line, turn the horse round (again turning away from you), then trot back in a straight line towards the judge, who usually steps out of the way so that you can continue trotting past, then you go back to your place in the line. They will tell you on the day what to do..

You probably should plait her up. It would be god experience for her. She should have a bridle with bit - that one would be fine. Some people show in a rope halter, but a bridle would give you more control if she were to get stressed by it all..

Just give it a try and learn from the experience. It will be good for you both.. Good luck and have fun. She looks lovely.x
You should be turned out smartly - either as you would ride in at a show, or trousers with a jacket/waistcoat.
 
Thank you all, she is my little darling and a proper little monkey!

I have a tweed jacket, cream jods, cream shirt and tie, black boots, hat and gloves. Or should I wear posh cream trousers and jod boots as she has black legs? or either?

So I would need to be on the outside away from judge? I do have a trailer but field is getting muddy and its filled up with hay so not too good to be used at the mo.

What type of lead rope would she have attached to the bit? And I am possibly looking for a new bridle, so in an ideal world what bridle would she have? One in pic is an old one from my other horse!

So possibly plaits in mane and tail?
 
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