What class to show my horse in?

Morethanamillion

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Hello, I have a 2 year old ex racehorse who I would like to show in hand at the start of next year. He ran once in France, so isn't eligible for ROR in hand classes, but I think he can do TARRA classes? I'm not too sure, and have also never been showing before... Can he be shown in other in-hand classes than ex racer classes? What classes can you do with a 2 year old (3 in April)? Also, any advice on showing him, for example what I should wear, and what bridle/headcollar he needs, and if I plait him, do quarter marks ect? Do shows have special in-hand classes for young horses? Sorry for my lack of knowledge, I just have no idea about showing!
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Not sure how to put a picture on, so hope this worked :)
Thank you :)
 
You can indeed do Tarra classes and any show that isn't an ROR class - even if it says they have to have raced under rules your wonderfully bred lad has! Most local shows have generic youngstock classes where anything goes. At a higher level it would depend on how your horse is built as to whether you would go in the Riding Horse, Hunter or Sports Horse youngstock classes.

Turnout - plaited mane, pulled tail, quarter marks (depending on what class you are doing depending on what ones you do!). Pop an in-hand bridle on with either a wee nylon bit or a simple small ringed egbut or loose ring snaffle.

I am wondering how on earth you have managed to get yourself such a fantastically well bred horse that has only had 1 start!

*cough* I would be tempted to put him back in training next year after a good winter to grow up *cough*
 
Thank you for your help! No plaited tails? That's good since my tail plaiting is awful! Do I wear tweed for these classes or black? And are plaits in white bands like racehorses or sewn up? Sorry for all these questions!
It's a bit of a mystery to us as well, as I don't think he looks ready to run now(a month after his run) and he came last, which is sort of expected with a horse thats very immature and had just traveled abroad so I would have thought his trainer would have waited until he was older and had him run again, but instead they just gave him away, and as far as we can tell there is nothing wrong with him... ahh well I'm not complaining- he has an amazing temperament and is beautiful so I'm happy :) Maybe he was just a favorite of the trainer....We also haven't had to sign any non racing agreement, so even though I can't afford a horse in training it would be possible.
 
Nope, pulled tails! Well you can plait but it's not overly fashionable and if you can't do it well then don't do it at all. Plaits should be stitched in though at local level you can get away with bands the same colour as the horses mane. I don't get this fascination with white bands in at the races! And yes I do do it at the races because that's what the boss wants! Personally I think it looks like they have shavings in their manes but hey ho! A tweed jacket will go with pretty much everything. Again depending on type as to whether you go for a plain leather browband for a hunter/sports horse or a coloured, rosette job for riding horses.

If you fancied putting him training to race again to allow you to do ROR in the future I am pretty sure with his pedigree you could get him into a racing syndicate. If it something you would consider next year then you can always email the flat trainers local to you and put the idea to them. You retain overall ownership and will get the horse back at the end but you kind of relinquish all decisions made with the horse.
 
Thank you again :) I think my boss at work would like that idea- but I have got a bit too attached to him and I'd rather he was just a riding horse... Do you know if he would be classed as a hunter/sports horse or a riding horse? I have better pictures of him now if that helps. Thank you :)
 
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