Working hunter help!!

[J_sarahd]

I’ve got my first workers competition on Max on Sunday and I’m nervous. I have never done it before!!

Things I’m scared about:

Max can get quite strong in canter, so was wondering if needs be I can jump from trot?

Do I need to plait? It’s my local riding club and Max is a Welshie. I’ve been told mixed things!

My individual show: I’ve been told to jump Max, then halt side on to the judge, walk away, trot back and then start my show. Is this correct?

Any other tips? I’m so nervous!!!

 

[emfen1305]

How exciting! Don't be scared, local riding club shows are perfect for trying different things and the judges are usually really helpful!

If you are worried about him getting strong, could you do a couple of clear rounds first to see how he is feeling on the day? This will give you an idea of what he will be like in the class. If not, then go with whatever you feel comfortable with. A WH course should a smooth, forward hunting pace but not rushed, a judge would rather see you trot some of the fences than being tanked around the ring (it is likely if they feel you are unsafe they will ask you to stop)

If he is full welsh or very welsh looking then you should leave natural but if he is part bred then plaited and trimmed may be more appropriate.

The judge will decide when you do your individual. If there are enough entries, it will be likely that you will go in a jump your round and then leave and once everyone has finished jumping, you will be invited back in to do your individual show. Once everyone has done their individual, you will all be invited back in on a go around to decide final placings. If you are expected to do your individual show straight after jumping, the judge will tell you before you start jumping. If this is the case then yes, make your way over to the judge after you have finished, halt to let her have a good look at him and then walk away, trot back and start your show.

If you are wearing boots for the jumping phase then make sure you have someone on hand to take them off before your show. The judge may ask for an extension as part of your show but if you are feeling worried about him being too strong then don't feel like you have to.

Enjoy yourself, make sure you get lots of photos

 

[be positive]

If you need to trot then do so but it will be marked down in the style mark although you may make up for it if it helps you jump clear so do what feels right at the time.
If he is a registered Welsh then you can turn out as an M&M and at that level it should not be an issue, otherwise you would need to plait and trim which you may not want to do.

The individual show will depend on how the judge runs the class, most will do the jumping then bring everyone who jumps clear and maybe some who faulted back in as a group, have a go round together then do the individual show or maybe even ride the horses themselves as they would at a higher level, you really won't know until the day but I have rarely seen a show done after the jumping so check with the steward before you go in if you are first to go and have not had the chance to see what others are doing.

Try not to be nervous, if he jumps well that is the main part just try and relax it is meant to be fun!!

 

[J_sarahd]

Thank you both! Max is weird, he’s either absolutely perfect or a tank and as it’s our first proper time jumping in a competition, I’m just aiming to go clear to be honest! I just didn’t know if trotting would be completely frowned upon.

He is full welsh and one of our classes is the m&m and I know you don’t plait for that so I’ll just not plait!

I’m hoping I’m not first so I can watch other people’s individual shows so I can see what they do. Just checked the website and it says they do the shows straight after the jumping phase!

If I didn’t do my extended canter, would I lose marks? I’m going to aim to do it but if we are completely out of control, it’s best not to!!

Sorry for all the questions. I just want to get it right and workers has way more etiquette and rules than show jumping!!!

 

[be positive]

If you just show a slightly extended canter than will be fine, no need to go mad and if he is not going to remain sensible stay in working canter. It sounds as you just want to enjoy it and pick up tips for next time so try and watch as many others as you can before you go, I am sure you will be fine on the day.

 

[emfen1305]

I am not sure if it is like ours where you have to declare but if you do just make sure you ask not to go first, I am sure they won't have a problem Our RC sometimes has the show right after the jumping if there are a small number of entries or if one of the competitors (tbh it was usually me!) was entered in multiple classes in different rings (4 hours of show prep the day before meant I was determined to enter every class I could!).

With your show, just watch a couple on youtube or see if you can look at some ridden classes before yours if you are unsure, mostly its a walk away, trot straight at the judge and go left/right and do a change across the diagonal picking up the canter as I reach the corner, canter down the long side, another change across the diagonal in trot and then pick up canter, extend and then back to trot, walk, halt. Sometimes I'd have to adapt slightly if I was struggling with right canter lead or if he was feeling tired but the best thing to do is just to watch someone else and copy as it'll stick in your mind better!

If the judge specifically asks for an extension then you may lose some marks for not attempting it but as BP said, if you've had a good round and a mannerly show, it shouldn't matter too much. Sometimes if I was struggling with the extension in the show, I used to open up the canter after the last jump which sometimes worked quite well but I guess it'll be how you feel on the day.

Try not to worry too much - as long as you look like you are making an effort to respect the etiquette and way of going then a couple of things here and there won't matter. I used to jump workers and there would be people coming straight from the showjumping ring in bling galore and they did used to get a bit of a dressing down (literally!) Someone was told to dismount and take off the bright pink sparkly numnah before they were allowed in the ring.