What class can my horse show in?

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Rebekahbunn1998

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Hi guys, I'm interested in showing my horse in the future. We'll start off with just local, quiet shows as we've never done it before, so I have a few questions regarding showing.
She is a 16year old, 15.2hh, coloured cob (red and white). We've hogged her earlier this year for a change because her mane rubs out so it looked scruffy, but now she looks super smart. I was curious as to what classes I could put her in. What do i need to wear? what colour boots? She has brown tack if that helps. Does she wear a numnah? What tack? Can i leave her tail full and thick? And any other tips would be helpful! Thank you��

Not sure how to upload pictures from my phone but there's some in my album on my profile page x
 
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Local showing is pretty forgiving so you should have a good range of options.


How about classes like Riding Club horse, Coloured horse or working hunter? At 16 (her not you!) you might also be eligible for veteran classes - the exact age depends on the venue. Condition & Turnout?

Beige Johds (unless you are a child) and tweed. Long boots - I think black ideally but local showing won't mind overmuch. A plain dark numnah. Your usual saddle. Plain bridle ideally with a cavasson or drop (rather than a grackle). Plain snaffle if you can - but again local showing is very tolerant.

Once you have dipped your toe in the water - so to speak - you'll get a feel for what classes suit you best. Have fun!
 
Rebekahbunn1998 said:
Fab, thanks for the help! Would she be elegible for a show cob class? (Pictures are on my profile if you haven't seen them already) ��
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Yes she certainly could do them, many will have a 15.1 height limit but if she is supposed to be 15.2 she will probably be fine, when you do take her somewhere trim up those legs and if you can bear to pull her tail, otherwise plait it.

To add to the above advice, wear a shirt and tie, not a stock, for her if you can try her in a double or pelham it would be more correct and get a wide cavesson noseband/ plain bridle to suit her head, nothing too fine or narrow.
 
Thanks for your help!
Yeah she's a bit funny about her legs so ill have to work on her, i think when the fur drops off as I'm clipping her, it tickles her leg and she's not keen on it. Also, id rather not pull her tail so is it fine for me to just plait it? I know the more quiet, local shows are alot more laid back so I'm sure once I get started and get experience, I'll pick things up�� I'll have a look at the different bits! Finally, is there a rule on spurs? I don't exactly agree with them so would not be comfortable wearing them, thanks again!

Oh and can you explain the difference between the 2 bits you suggested? I've just always had her on a bubble bit, wouldn't want anything too harsh but i wouldn't want to lose control if she tried to run off.
 
For a hogged cob tail should be pulled. BUT if you won't, then i'd much rather see a flattened down top than plaited. I think plaited tails with hogged manes look awful :)

'bubble bit' is a definite no no in the show ring, never use it for that. I think you'd be better borrowing a pelham and trying it out rather than trying a double bridle (2 bits). You'll be used to using 2 reins already so shouldn't be a massive change for you :)
 
I've had a look at the 2 bits and I wouldn't feel comfortable using the double bridle anyway, it looks quite harsh and heavy in the horses mouth. How is the pelham? I know it depends on how light/heavy the rider is with their hands but on average. Also, I've never used double reins, is there a huge difference between double and single reins, or is there just more to hold? I'd just hate to be using more pressure than needed as I respect how sensitive horses actually are :) thanks for the help Crackerz!
 
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You might get a few more replies now OP :)

She's gorgeous BTW.
 
Rebekahbunn1998 said:
I've had a look at the 2 bits and I wouldn't feel comfortable using the double bridle anyway, it looks quite harsh and heavy in the horses mouth. How is the pelham? I know it depends on how light/heavy the rider is with their hands but on average. Also, I've never used double reins, is there a huge difference between double and single reins, or is there just more to hold? I'd just hate to be using more pressure than needed as I respect how sensitive horses actually are :) thanks for the help Crackerz!
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Double reins will actually reduce the pressure, because you can ride on the snaffle rein all the time except when you need a bit of help :)
 
Double bridles are not harsh on the horses mouth as you can ride only on the snaffle, your bubble bit (dutch gag) is far harsher than a double bridle is particularly as you are not using it correctly (dutch gags are supposed to have double reins on them). Bubble bits are a big no no in the show ring.

For showing you will need to clip off all feathers and pull the tail, if you dont like pulling tails then a tail rake gives a pulled tail look without pulling it. Plaited tails loo awful.
For cob classes and coloured classes it is correct to wear spurs, veterans you will be penalised if you have spurs on. If your horse will not accept spurs or you are not able to or comfortable using spurs then you can get dummy spurs which are literally just the band of metal to fit round your boot, no actual spurs.
 
Can you find an instructor locally who can teach you how to ride in a double bridle? Or possibly help you move from the bubble bit to a plain snaffle first?

I love your mare's markings! :) Don't know much about showing, but hope you have a lot of fun with her!
 
spookypony said:
Can you find an instructor locally who can teach you how to ride in a double bridle? Or possibly help you move from the bubble bit to a plain snaffle first?

I love your mare's markings! :) Don't know much about showing, but hope you have a lot of fun with her!
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I can get some help from my.friends at the yard that have shown their horses, they're older and more experienced than me! But I can do the transition from bubble bit to snaffle on my own once I'm back riding, I just had her wear a bubble bit as she was strong for me when i was younger and still is strong but yeah ill try move her back to the snaffle once I'm back in the saddle :D and thank you, I'm sure I will, I cant wait!
 
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