Working Hunter Class

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Mollymillymoo

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Hello guys!

I'm hoping to go to a local open Pony Club show next sunday and I've only entered one Working Hunter before but I think Pony Club may be more picky and correct than the local show we entered before?

He's a chunky horse, has 10+ inches of bone but moves quite well for his size (see my sig as am at work so don't have any other pics!) but not sure if we will get laughed out of the ring, is he too chunky? I have some older videos on youtube of him if that would help give people an idea of what he's like.

If you guys do think he's acceptable, would I be ok to wear my champion hat with a vent or do you have to wear a velvet one? And since he's a cob would there be any other requirements for our turn out than the standard working hunter?

Any comments/answers will be v appreaciated :)

Ooo and youtube video to show what he's like... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odGcC8M3JL0
 
Difficult to know if he will look out of place as really depends on what else is in the class. You could wear your champion hat for the jumping bit and swop to the other one for the ridden bit. Haven't looked at the vid but just aim for enjoying it and make sure your turnout is as tidy as you can. I have judged a few WH at local shows and if a more cobby horse jumped well and went well I would be happy to place it over something perhaps more of a true hunter stamp that either refused or was naughty. Years ago I did some working hunters with a thin little ex racehorse simply to widen her experience and she outjumped many of the posh show hunters.
 
Is the class aimed for a specific type such as M&M or cob?

As Coco is a cob I would have thought hoggged, trimmed, no feathers would be correct.

Plain tack (Hunter bridle if you have one), snaffle bit, or pelham with two reins or double bridle (Does it specify if the class is novice or open?)

Straight cut saddle (if you have one) without a numnah or a discreet numnah in the same colour, matching coloured girth (black or brown).


Horses are usually allowed to wear boots and martingales for the jumping element, check the schedule though.


For you beige or canary johds or breeches, shirt and tie, green or borwn based tweed jacket, brown gloves and show cane, long black boots with spurs (or dummy spurs), hairnet and either navy velvet hat with flesh coloured harness or skull cap with velevt hat cover.


Check with the Pony Club DC if you're not sure :)

BTW I expect pics :D
 
Ok cool cool, thanks for the advice Tabitha :) He wil be hogged and I shall do his feathers a quick once over too... However, when it comes to a straight cut saddle, I won't have one! I don't have enough money to have a saddle just for doing showing classes! I can however purchase a hunting style bridle I s'pose. Showing always seems like a good idea but it's very... almost shallow when a final decision can come down to a saddle or the colour of gloves!
Thanks guys :) I hope the judge likes my boy, I often feel a bit hurt when tb or wb types get placed above us in showing, when we have jumped clear (in other classes, not a working class) and they haven't, hopefully we won't have a biased judge this time!
 
I was at my local PC show the other day and did working hunter pony :) If you don't have a hunter style bridle, I wouldn't worry about going out to buy one, which tack is he in at the moment? Boots are allowed for jumping and must be taken off for the flat, but if you jump in a martingale, it has to stay on. Turnout wise, just make sure you're nice and smart, trim feathers etc, tweed jacket, if you have a velvet hat then wear it, if not don't worry! As for a saddle, if you don't have a straight cut saddle, it shouldn't matter, I came 2nd out of 11 in my foward cut GP. On the day, it shouldn't be about you tack, just be clean and tidy, it should matter about you pony's performance. I'm sure you won't look out of place, especially if it's just local PC :) Good luck, and enjoy it :D
 
Hi there :)

Don't worry about Pony Club they shouldn't be too strict, so number one thing is to enjoy it! :D

You certainly shouldn't be laughed at judging by your video - he is very handsome and has a super jump so should do well in a working hunter class.

I also think if you dress smartly with an appropriate jacket/jodhpurs/boots etc. wearing your champion hat wouldn't be a problem and as long as your tack is clean, correctly fitted and not falling apart(!) the judge shouldn't mark you down for it at PC level. I wouldn't worry about a straight cut saddle either - most working hunter ponies ride in either GP or WHP saddles anyway.

Ditto what the others have said about trimming and hogging but apart from that remember to enjoy it :D

Good luck!!
 
ooo well done you firefly! I'm glad they aren't always too picky about tack, afterall clean I can do! your pony must be gorgous, I'm always a fan of working hunters :) thanks for the advice everyone, and I hope you're right aliceflapjack! thank you :) glad not all working hunter classes expect totally correct attire!

I always remember we did a riding club horse once and despite the fact he'd represented the club and competed in all spheres at that club he got placed last after a good show (out of 12 - he was the only cob) hope we get a nice judge this time! :) and even if not I'm sure we will enjoy ourselves :D thanks for all the feedback guys! x
 
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