We Are Going To A Show!

[tonitot]

Me and Ethel are off to a show on the 25th July at Foxpitt It'll be her first ever outing and my first show in about 6 years, which was when I was on a riding school and entered two classes with a school pony, being astonishly bad in both I've been to about 3 since then, only borrowing a friends pony to do a clear round on once and warming her up a few times so havent done a proper class in ages. We're doing 4 in hand classes which is where my questions come in.
1. Is 4 classes too much for a horses first time to a show?? She is relativley relaxed at most times and takes everything in her stride, and a friend has assured me that 4 wont be too much as we're only walking and trotting round for a bit, but I'm unsure.
2. Someone has told me for in hand showing the judges prefer the horses to have a rubber straight bar snaffle??
3. I dont have an in hand bridle, just her leather stitched bridle, does that matter too much?? And what do I use to lead her with??
4. What do I wear? All I have is a navy show jacket and cream (i think) jods and my long rubber boots which I havent worn in like forever

Sorry if all this sounds stupid, but I'm not really into showing, just want to take her to get her out and about ready for when we do ridden shows next year I dont care if she wins or gets placed or comes last, as long as she is calm and relaxed and behaves herself and we have a fun day out I'll be happy

Lots of choccies for you who managed to get through that and can help me

 

[tonitot]

Bump, really need some help here!!

 

[4faults]

She shoudl be fine, in hand doesnt wear them out too much i did a lot of it with my young Sec B when I got her and it really helped prepare her for shows when she was backed. For unaffiliated showing what you are wearing and your bridle should be absolutely fine. Good luck and have fun

 

[Malibu_Stacy]

1. Is 4 classes too much for a horses first time to a show?? She is relativley relaxed at most times and takes everything in her stride, and a friend has assured me that 4 wont be too much as we're only walking and trotting round for a bit, but I'm unsure.

No, probably not, depending on what the classes are (eg most novelty classes like prettiest mare all you do is walk round and then stand in a line) physically its unlikely to be too much work. I'd just see how she goes on the day; if she's calm, relaxed and happy after one class then do the next and so on. If she's getting wound up/stressed out then give her a break and skip one/ go home. If she generally takes stuff like this in her stride, then she should be fine with 4, unless she starts to get bored!

2. Someone has told me for in hand showing the judges prefer the horses to have a rubber straight bar snaffle??
3. I dont have an in hand bridle, just her leather stitched bridle, does that matter too much?? And what do I use to lead her with??

At local level a snaffle of any description should be fine (I did my mare's last showing class in a kimberwick - not technically 'correct' for showing, but as we were going for the experience rather than to win, I'd rather have the backup if she got overexcited!). For a riding horse (i.e. not teeny little pony or youngster) then I think you're supposed to show in a normal (though preferably as plain as possible) bridle, and lead with reins over the head.

4. What do I wear? All I have is a navy show jacket and cream (i think) jods and my long rubber boots which I havent worn in like forever

Those should be fine for a ridden class. For inhand you could change into trousers (different to horses leg colour, so in your case light, cream or beige etc) and smart shoes (dark pair of plain trainers should be fine), which may be slightly easier to run in, but I wouldn't worry too much, (light coloured, not white) jods and long boots will do. If you have an off-white or pale yellow shirt I'd wear that rather than white, and a nice tie that complements horse's colour. If its still really hot you may find people ditch their jackets and just wear a shirt/tie (and pos. waistcoat) anyway. Wear a hat when you're doing the inhand stuff, either your riding hat or (if you're over 18) something like a bowler/trilby/flatcap if you've got one.

Sorry if all this sounds stupid, but I'm not really into showing, just want to take her to get her out and about ready for when we do ridden shows next year I dont care if she wins or gets placed or comes last, as long as she is calm and relaxed and behaves herself and we have a fun day out I'll be happy

The most important thing is you get there and back safely and have some fun! Good luck!

 

[tonitot]

Thanks Its just a fun local show, not affiliated as far as I know. We're going in the Youngster class, Ring Experience (although I dont really know what it is ), Best Looking Horse/Pony and Inhand Condition and Turnout - Grass Kept. So its just a fun show really and hoping we'll both enjoy ourselves. Gonna see how it all goes on the day and hope that I dont make a fool of myself while she;s being an angel Thanks loads Malibu_Stacey, thats helped a lot