What classes can my horse do? Showing numpty needs help :)

Cash

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Sorry, another one of these :o
I'd like to have a go at showing this summer, just locally though it'd be nice if we did fairly ok! :) Problem is I am completely clueless about showing, I have NO idea what class I should do/what I should wear/what he should wear :o
Horse is a 16hh ex racer with some fairly good bone for a TB. I'd like to have a go at some ex racer classes- he has raced, not just trained. No idea what they entail though!!
SO. The man himself:
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Sorry got a bit carried away :o

Any ideas, showing gurus??
 
RoR classes, if he has raced and you have evidence. Show hunter/ridden hunter/working hunter or riding horse classes at local shows would suit him. You could even put him in a hack class, often the classes have loads of animals in them which are not really of the correct type but which are near enough. Good luck and enjoy yourselves!
 
He's too big for hack classes, large hack = 15.3. Go to your local riding club show & watch the horse classes. That will help you decide.
 
You could register him with the ex-racers club (google it) and then you'd be eligible for the ex racer classes now being run at a lot of shows. They are run like any other showing class, the main difference being that lumps and bumps don't count against you.
If he'll jump a small jump and go in a snaffle you could do riding club horse.
Otherwise, I'd agree with those suggested above - lightweight hunter or riding horse class.
Just try a few different classes and see what suits him best. NB Some shows won't let you enter both hunter and riding horse class, its one or the other, so check the small print.
best of luck
 
You could register him with the ex-racers club (google it) and then you'd be eligible for the ex racer classes now being run at a lot of shows. They are run like any other showing class, the main difference being that lumps and bumps don't count against you.
If he'll jump a small jump and go in a snaffle you could do riding club horse.
Otherwise, I'd agree with those suggested above - lightweight hunter or riding horse class.
Just try a few different classes and see what suits him best. NB Some shows won't let you enter both hunter and riding horse class, its one or the other, so check the small print.
best of luck

Thanks :) He goes in a snaffle very well and can definitely jump, so won't have any problems there unless you get marked down for overenthusiasm! :D He's actually really clean legged for an ex racer too :)

Thanks for all replies, can I now annoyingly ask what we should both be wearing for ROR/ex racer classes, LW hunter and riding horse classes? Told you I was a numpty :o
 
I would more than likely go for Riding horse class .

I took my 4 year old to her first showing show under saddle at the weekend and here is our turnout for a hunter class .

I collected my new navy velvet riding hat with flesh coloured strap today so thats the only thing I would change :)
For riding horse .... same turnout only instead of plain browband ....use a coloured browband ....one that compliments your jacket and your horse :)

mayshow2.jpg
 
There are lots of people on here who will know much more about showing turnout than me and hopeful you'll get some good replies! All I can say is that if you were doing any of these classes at our local RC show you would be fine wearing a tweed jacket, cream or canary breeches, long boots and a velvet covered riding hat. You could do a search on here on 'showing turnout' and see what comes up - I'm sure there have been previous threads on this subject.
 
7. What is the judge looking for in the RoR Show Series Class when they ride my ex-racehorse?

Initially the judge is looking for a comfortable and safe conveyance. They will also want to see what level of retraining your horse has received. They will want your horse to be 'soft and round' and be obedient. They will be assessing whether he has settled into his new job and is accepting of his new show ring surroundings.



Make sure you teach him to canter on either legs and to stand quietly whilst the judge gets on and off. It is a good idea to ask a friend to sit on your horse at home before you enter for a show. All judges ride differently and the more people riding your horse at home the better prepared he will be to give the judge a nice ride. Remember if there is a gentleman judge he is likely to have larger feet than lady riders. Make sure you stirrups are big enough and that the leathers long enough. You can always carry a spare 'judges' pair in your grooming kit if you don't fancy juggling your feet in large irons!




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8. What will I be expected to do in the Retraining Racehorse Challenge?


The Retrained Racehorse Challenge has been designed to give horses with racing injuries a chance to compete without being hindered by low conformation marks.



The jumping phase asks competitors to jump 6 rustic fences up to 3'0" and there are 2 optional bonus coloured fences of a larger height up to 3'6". Once the showing phase has commenced you will be asked to perform an individual show to include various movements as outlined in our rules section. Conformation will also be judged but racing injuries will be overlooked. Click here for the full Rules and Regulations.




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9. My ex-racehorse will not settle in the show ring. What calmer am I legally allowed to give him?



Some of the calmers on the market would not pass the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) or FEI rules so therefore you must look closely at the ingredients. L'Triptophane is a regular ingredient, this amino acid is considered an illegal substance by the BHA but is not on the FEI prohibited substance list so can be used for other equestrian sports. In addition, RoR can recommend Nuprafeed which is magnesium and calms the brain.




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10. What is the recommended dress in the RoR Showing Classes?



a) Bowler hat for men, hunting cap for woman. Properly approved ASTM/SE1 with fitted chin strap harness for Retrained Racehorse Challenge jumping classes MUST be worn. Any suitable hard hat is allowed in the Show Series Classes.

b) For Hack and Riding Horse types, navy jacket and coloured browband. For Hunter types, tweed jackets and plain browbands.

c) Plain fawn or buff coloured breeches - not white.

d) Plain black or brown boots.

e) Any form of leather or string gloves.

f) Plain malacca or leather cane, not to exceed 32" . No schooling or cutting whips.

g) Collar and tie.

h) Ordinary shirt.

i) No earrings to be worn.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DRESS FOR THE HICKSTEAD FINAL

In the morning the same as above. In the evening black or blue hunting coat with close fitting black riding trousers with ordinary collar and tie or cravat.




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11. What is the recommended turnout for my ex-racehorse in the RoR Showing Classes?


a) Manes should be plaited.


b) Tails pulled or plaited


c) Heels trimmed


d) Any suitable bridle, except in Retrained Racehorse Classes where horses should have ordinary snaffle, double bridle or 3 ring gag.


e) Coloured browbands for Hack types. Plain for Hunters and Riding Horses.


f) Numnahs if worn should be as small as possible and dark of colour.

g) You can fit boots or bandages on your horse for the Retrained Racehorse Class for the jumping section of the class, but please remove them for the showing and conformation section. Dark boots please.



http://www.ror.org.uk/faqs.htm#9


There you go :)
 
Colleen_Miss_Tom- your girl is gorgeous! Thanks for pic, very helpful.
I have a navy tweed jacket (that ok?), can dig out my old black velvet hat, have cream jods, black boots and gaiters, and also have a coloured browband somewhere.
I've heard on here that black tack is really incorrect for showing, would I get really shot down for having black not brown?? (Given that I'm not planning on getting to Windsor any time soon :D )

Soo general opinion is riding horse and ex racer classes? :)
Thanks so much everyone!

PS. Ooh yes LeneHorse will do a search now :)
 
Riding horse classes are actually tweed jacket, beige breeches, and coloured browband for the horse.

A navy jacket is for a hack class.
 
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