Working hunter newbie

[Horsegirl25]

So I am (finally as some people would say) going to give WH a bash. I have a brilliant palomino 14.2hh welsh sec D gelding, bred for showing but we do BS and BE.
I am hoping to enter a M&M workers mid April but I have never ever done one before, please fill me with all your WH knowledge.
Every question you can imagine, I have!
What do I wear? I only have black tack and a jump saddle is that ok? Will I need to get a velvet hat? Can he wear boots? If he can what colour just black? Body protector or not? What do I do show piece wise? Do I need to strip him and trot up? If I go straight from jumping to flat and he is wearing a running martingale is that ok? Can I use a universal gag for both flat/jumping?
Sorry for the monsoon of questions, please throw all your knowledge at me!!

 

[Horsegirl25]

Here is a pic of my boy for reference, oh also what kind of numnah??
Edit - I should also say he has clipped legs in these photos but I have grown his feathers all winter!

 

[dottylottie]

front boots only and they’re only allowed in the jumping phase, you’ll need to take them off for the flat section. martingale is fine, and black tack will be fine.

tweed jacket, beige/canary breeches, navy velvet hat with flesh harness is “correct” but until you decide if you’re sticking with it, as long as it’s clean and tidy you’ll do! particularly the hat, i wouldn’t want to fork out for a new hat unless i knew i was loving it

majority of workers classes will state “any suitable bit/bridle” but double check the rules for your chosen show - if you start off with novice theyll most likely be snaffle only.

body protectors advised by most, compulsory in the jumping phase with some! i’ve never worn one, but my (now) local show states they must be worn.

you won’t need to strip him at local level, or at least i’d be surprised if you do!

for the ridden phase the jump will quite possibly give you a set show, particularly if it’s to be done around the jumps, but if not walk away, trot back, go large to the right and pop into canter at the top and do a figure of 8, changing rein in trot, with a good extension/gallop down the long side. i’d only bother with the gallop if you know you can bring him back in a mannerly fashion, or it’s not doing you any favours and without grinding to a halt at the end, do a few strides of trot/walk before a nice tidy halt.

main advice for a pony of his experience is to keep it mannerly! it should look effortless without looking like you’re not in control - fluent and forward without going hell for leather!

ETA: shaped numnah to match your tack, or you could just not bother with one.

 

[Squeak]

It's usually a good idea to start with a small local show as they'll be more forgiving if you get something wrong so it will give you a chance to have a go and get some feedback. If you can go to a county show or BSPS etc to watch an M & M class that could really help show you what to expect. WH fences can also be slightly different to show jumping and arena eventing fences but would be closest to arena eventing.

 

[minesadouble]

Body protectors are mandatory under BSPS rules but not NPS.
Your tack will be fine, not many WHP riders wear velvet hats any more, my daughter wears her leather Charles Owen, they are very popular in WHP but if you're just dabbling a crash hat and silk will be fine.
Jump heights under BSPS rules are 85cm for a novice native exceeding 14hh.

You are unlikely to be asked to strip but it's a possibility. My daughter was asked to strip at one County Show last year, that class was NPS.
HOYS and RI qualifiers will strip.

You can keep your martingale for the flat but boots need to come off.
Individual show, if you're not given a set show then brevity is key. Walk, trot, canter on both reins and extend down the long side.

BSPS run WH Training stakes classes at 60, 70, 80, 90 and 1m, these are open to plaited and Native ponies and are a great place to start.
Your pony looks smart and jumping is key so I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[Jellymoon]

All of the above but also, I did a brief foray into it but found it quite boring standing around waiting to do your show and a bit stuffy, so I didn’t keep it up. So just don’t go mad on buying stuff until you know you like it.

Also, all of those who do clears get called back in to the flat part in order of who they like best at that point. So the first number that gets called out goes on first and so on. I didn’t realise this, heard my number being called (3rd) and was keen to crack on so went in first…bit embarrassing! No-one said anything but…

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

All of the above but also, I did a brief foray into it but found it quite boring standing around waiting to do your show and a bit stuffy, so I didn’t keep it up. So just don’t go mad on buying stuff until you know you like it.

Also, all of those who do clears get called back in to the flat part in order of who they like best at that point. So the first number that gets called out goes on first and so on. I didn’t realise this, heard my number being called (3rd) and was keen to crack on so went in first…bit embarrassing! No-one said anything but…

You should usually go In, in the order that you are called but it might well be that you are called in the order that you jumped. I have never called clears back in order of preference. Things can change a lot during the showing phase. If there aren't enough clears, other people may be called back, too. I have known the judge, even at a local show, ride those called back. So you might need to be prepared for that.

 

[J_sarahd]

I’ve not done workers for years but I’ll just add that some shows you will jump and then do your individual show and then everyone called back for the go round. Sometimes everyone jumps first and then the go round and individual shows. Sometimes the showing part is in the same arena as the jumps, sometimes it’s in a different one. So just make sure you’re aware!