Working Hunter Help

DecantersKingHenry

DecantersKingHenry

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I've won an entry to our local Lancashire Game Fair show, and thinking of doing a Working Hunter Class, not sure which
Plaited Novice Working Hunter Exceeding 143cms
Or Plaited Open Working Hunter

Can I use a two ring gag in either class? And how do I find out if they strip and the judge rides?

Thanks for any advice/help
 
Usually if they strip and the judge rides it will be mentioned on the entry.

The last show I looked at entering, it stated the name of the class, entry price, what ring the class was in, the name of the conformation judge and the name of the ride judge (at small shows this may be the same person).

Regarding your bit, personally I would look at something like a pelham or snaffle - from what I see in the show ring and with my limited knowledge, it tends to be a pelham bit if the animal is experienced or a snaffle if the animal is inexperienced. You could always ask the show organisers what the rules are regarding the bit, as it could very well be different to my knowledge :)
 
Stick to the novice class, if you need to use the gag then do so unless the show stated to be using certain rules. You may get some criticism from the judge, but you could explain its your first time, and take it on the chin for experience should you choose to try again.
 
I wouldn’t think twice about the gag in a workers class, even a novice one. Completely normal now. Obviously it would be a big no in a flat class, but generally the most acceptable bit is the one you feel safe in!

This is the link to last year’s RI lightweights to give you an idea of the tack; they have a variety of bit/bridle combinations going on…
 
Working hunter, you can use any bit. Obviously, a milder one ooks better as it is meant to be showing off a well mannered horse but as a clear round is the most important thing -, go with what works.
Martingales are allowed as are boots in the jumping phase. Plain brown tack, numnah rather than saddle cloth.
You want a hacking jacket, cream breeches, brown gloves, hairnet, long boots (black or brown, no bling!)

I would imagine there'd be a conformation judge and a ride judge but it should say in the schedule.
I'd stick to Novice if you haven't done a workers class before.

Does it say the heights of the fences in the schedule?. Normally Novice is around 3', Open 3'6-3'9.
 
I was going to say that Opens are huge - you'd want to be confidently jumping BS 1.10-1.15+ classes, plus water trays etc.

However it does say in the schedule that there are classes from 55cm upwards, including opens, so ignore the above! It does not look the level of competition to have a ride judge, and there isn't a ride judge listed, but you can always contact them to check. I'd pick the height you want to jump, and the novice section.

Schedule:
 
Thank you for the advice, need to hire somewhere ASAP for a pop round 😂 he will jump anything I point him out just not very stylishly! Been bringing him back to Trot and that has been working well, working on keeping a steady canter now
 
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