Which classes should I enter?

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mrsh2010

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I'm going along with my sister to a local show this weekend, venturing to the other side away from dressage!

But I'm unsure to which classes would suit my lad best.

Here's the schedule and hopefully some pictures of my lad from the last few months. Unfortunately he's not as glossy at the moment due to the weather change! But it's just a bit of fun!

Also I prefer to ride him in a snaffle, but do have a Pelham if it's more the correct dress - I just have less control!











Thanks!
 
Maybe the Riding club horse/pony would suit then? If you feel brave enough to tackle a course, then you could try the Working Hunter.

He does look TB-y in the last photo, but you didn't mention his breed. If he's an ex-racer then the racehorse to riding horse is an obvious one to do.
 
From the pictures is hard to really tell if he's more riding horse or hunter, I'm leaning to more a lightweight hunter but I'd suggest trying both and asking the judges what they think especially if its a local show.
The only issue is that turnout is slightly different for the classes in that a coloured velevet browband is generally used in the riding horse and a plain leather browband in the hunter.
He looks smashing, and if you are so way inclined I'd bath and pop a lightweight on him to flatten his coat if its cold enough (or a fly rug if its too warm where you are), if he's stabled at night a lycra rug overnight will really help flatten and polish the coat as well. Obviously it depends how he's kept, no point going ott for one local show :D.

PS I'd trim those heels!

x x
 
AlexHyde said:
From the pictures is hard to really tell if he's more riding horse or hunter, I'm leaning to more a lightweight hunter but I'd suggest trying both and asking the judges what they think especially if its a local show.
The only issue is that turnout is slightly different for the classes in that a coloured velevet browband is generally used in the riding horse and a plain leather browband in the hunter.
He looks smashing, and if you are so way inclined I'd bath and pop a lightweight on him to flatten his coat if its cold enough (or a fly rug if its too warm where you are), if he's stabled at night a lycra rug overnight will really help flatten and polish the coat as well. Obviously it depends how he's kept, no point going ott for one local show :D.

PS I'd trim those heels!

x x
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Thanks :) no can't trim his heels lol, he's a dressage diva!

He's rugged already just in a rain sheet so will bath him and fully rug him (spoil him Saturday night!) he's out 24/7.

Can I get away with a snaffle? Or shall I go traditional and pop his Pelham on? Thanks :)
 
mrsh2010 said:
Thanks :) no can't trim his heels lol, he's a dressage diva!

He's rugged already just in a rain sheet so will bath him and fully rug him (spoil him Saturday night!) he's out 24/7.

Can I get away with a snaffle? Or shall I go traditional and pop his Pelham on? Thanks :)
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Nooo you can't leave those tufty heels ;).
I'd leave him in a snaffle if he's better behaved in it, no reason why it 'must' be a pelham.

Good luck and we need pictures of the day :).

x x
 
Go with the snaffle if he goes better in it. Ha ha re the heels and obviously as a show horse needs at least a foot off his tail! I can jest as mine does both, currently has tail at show horse length, hoping it might grow by a foot for the ROR dressage champs at the end of the month!

Good luck, I would say defo do riding club horse and then he could probably do either the riding horse or the hunter, since at local level normally the hunters are not the big hunters at county level. I had one that did everything, just changed the browband and my jacket and did everything from sport horse, light horse, competition horse, riding horse, hunter, veteran, style and performance, riding club horse, best turned out etc etc. Have fun and enjoy
 
Thanks :)

Is a tweed jacket with brownish/beige jods ok?
With my long boots and dummy or roller ball spurs?
He'll be in his dressage saddle anyway as goes nicer in that than his GP (and I prefer it!) Although can I wear a martingale in the "Working Show Hunter"? If I can then I'll pop his GP on for jumping.
 
Tweed and beige jods are good for hunter and riding horse.
Spurs are up to you really, I never showed in spurs as my show horse didn't require them, but I think for hunter they do finish the picture off well.

You can wear the martigale in the working hunter and have dark coloured discreet boots for the jumping phase. Martingale should be left on for the entire of the class but the boots removed for the flatwork part (velcro boots are much easier than buckled ones ;)).

x x
 
They don't have too. It's just the way I prefer my horse. He's happy - I'm happy. He's out 24/7 so to me it's extra protection.

I prefer horses as natural as possible :)
 
mrsh2010 said:
They don't have too. It's just the way I prefer my horse. He's happy - I'm happy. He's out 24/7 so to me it's extra protection.

I prefer horses as natural as possible :)
Click to expand...

I agree with you. :) CM's tail nearly touches the ground and I wouldn't trim it or tidy any fluffy bits just for a day out at a local show even if it meant that I lost marks (which I'm sure it would). However I'm not a serious shower, but see it more as a good part of a young horse's education.
 
Thanks everyone. We had a great day. Even if standing still was a little diffficult (first time out with one of our youngsters as company)
Came 3rd in working riding horse. 2nd in ridden hunter and 2nd in riding horse :) mega chuffed
 
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