Working hunter - showpiece

S

SK123

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 April 2019
Messages
56
Visit site
I am no stranger to competing in working hunters however, I would love if anyone could give a few tips/opinions on showpieces.
I usually walk away from the judge, trot back (for confirmation) and do a half figure 8 trot, half figure 8 canter, change rein with a simple change and a gallop. Some people do a full figure 8 in trot first but I sometimes think it is too long? What are peoples opinions/preferences?

Another question I have is about the gallop. Some people just do an extension, but the winner always seems to be the bravest gallop that storms up along the long side. My pony is energetic and quick but when it comes to the gallop she can be a bit slow of the mark (i know its ironic) Any ideas on how I can get her to open her stride a bit more?
Many thanks!
 
I'm not clear, from your post if you canter on both reins, but should. keep the show short, but do make sure that you o a "good" gallop, it is one of the pre-requisits of a working hunter.
 
YorksG said:
I'm not clear, from your post if you canter on both reins, but should. keep the show short, but do make sure that you o a "good" gallop, it is one of the pre-requisits of a working hunter.
Click to expand...
Yes sorry I didn't make it clear! I do! I agree 're show short but just wanted to know what other people thought as I see loads of people these days going on for ever! Thanks so much!
 
I can assure you that judges lose interest in long shows! All any-one wants to see is w/t/c (both reins) and a good gallop. Try to stay near the judge for your fig 8, so that the horse can be seen poperly, in many rings you will need to be prepared to gallop behind the line-up but the judge will be expecting that and place him/herself accordingly
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I can assure you that judges lose interest in long shows! All any-one wants to see is w/t/c (both reins) and a good gallop. Try to stay near the judge for your fig 8, so that the horse can be seen poperly, in many rings you will need to be prepared to gallop behind the line-up but the judge will be expecting that and place him/herself accordingly
Click to expand...
Ideal thank you for the tip!
 
Try to make your gallop/ extension snappy. Many a time my boy and I went up the placings by doing this. Practice at home so that you can go from collected/ calm show canter to extension/ gallop in a stride or less. Make it look effortless. Equally you need to be able to power down as easily as you powered up. I tend to teach mine a key word or a signal so they know its coming. I used to tell C ready... as we were coming toward the straight followed by show 'em what you got. Though he soon knew his show well enough not to need these.
Mrs moo's cue was puppy power with the sound effect because she reminded me of scrappy doo ( short legged trad cob).

There were leg or weight shifts too dependant on whether we were doing sidesaddle or astride classes but the vocal cues certainly helped.
 
To get you gallop/extension, collect well on the previous corner so the horse is really feeling powerful and ready to go, the as you turn onto the long side push and go!
 
to improve the gallop there is nothing quite like getting them on an actual set of gallops and racing somthing bigger/quicker than you up a hill. It really gets them opening up!
 
Ddraig_wen said:
Try to make your gallop/ extension snappy. Many a time my boy and I went up the placings by doing this. Practice at home so that you can go from collected/ calm show canter to extension/ gallop in a stride or less. Make it look effortless. Equally you need to be able to power down as easily as you powered up. I tend to teach mine a key word or a signal so they know its coming. I used to tell C ready... as we were coming toward the straight followed by show 'em what you got. Though he soon knew his show well enough not to need these.
Mrs moo's cue was puppy power with the sound effect because she reminded me of scrappy doo ( short legged trad cob).

There were leg or weight shifts too dependant on whether we were doing sidesaddle or astride classes but the vocal cues certainly helped.
Click to expand...
Great idea about a voice cue, i can lunge her from my voice alone so will definitely give this a shot! thank you!
 
J&S said:
To get you gallop/extension, collect well on the previous corner so the horse is really feeling powerful and ready to go, the as you turn onto the long side push and go!
Click to expand...
Good point! I think i was trying to go from too flat of a canter, i must remember this for next time!
 
I always tell the kids to walk away, trot back track out towards the line up if on a longside. turn for the first part of the figure 8 and pick up canter lead so if line up it right of you pull out to the right and turn to do the left lead canter, canter half the figure of 8 making a good simple trot change in the center pick up the right canter (opposite way to the first half) and instead of completing the 8 go straight down the long side in a good gallop with at least half a dozen strides at gallop then go down through the paces, trot and present to the judge halt and salute. That way you never have to gallop behind the line up
 
If trot is a good feature on your horse then walk away, trot back round and up the long side, into canter at the end of the long side, round into a figure of 8.

Gallop - you don't want to set off like a cavalry charge. There is nothing worse than seeing a horse go from canter then explode into a gallop. On your 2nd canter circle really gather the momentum and as you are coming round the last bend squeeze on. Dont kick, flap, throw everything bar the kitchen sink at the horse. It's messy. Sit deep and drive the horse forward from your seat. Once your horse has a big swinging stride stand if you wish but it isnt necessary for women to come up out of the seat for the gallop.

Don't go behind the line up either where possible. Its annoying to everyone.
 
windand rain said:
I always tell the kids to walk away, trot back track out towards the line up if on a longside. turn for the first part of the figure 8 and pick up canter lead so if line up it right of you pull out to the right and turn to do the left lead canter, canter half the figure of 8 making a good simple trot change in the center pick up the right canter (opposite way to the first half) and instead of completing the 8 go straight down the long side in a good gallop with at least half a dozen strides at gallop then go down through the paces, trot and present to the judge halt and salute. That way you never have to gallop behind the line up
Click to expand...
I like this a lot! Yes I try to avoided going behind the line...I always feel rude making the judge move! Thank you😊
 
Unless you are showing at county level the chances of getting a ring big enough for a big horse to open his stride effectively is slim. Even some county shows with qualifiers have modest rings.

A worker wants to be moving on in all paces with good balance, avoid motorbike corners and aim for a glide into gallop if you have the space, with the horses lowering himself and opening the stride, rather than a sudden and untidy kick in the ribs for the signal to go, which usually results in a choppy unbalanced gallop. Ringcraft is vital and can win a class for you.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Unless you are showing at county level the chances of getting a ring big enough for a big horse to open his stride effectively is slim. Even some county shows with qualifiers have modest rings.

A worker wants to be moving on in all paces with good balance, avoid motorbike corners and aim for a glide into gallop if you have the space, with the horses lowering himself and opening the stride, rather than a sudden and untidy kick in the ribs for the signal to go, which usually results in a choppy unbalanced gallop. Ringcraft is vital and can win a class for you.
Click to expand...
Completely see where you are coming from with the rings! I'm lucky enough to be competing at one of the bigger international shows this year (with a bigger ring!) and want everything to be right! Good thought, we will work on slowly building our tempo and stride off the corner! Thank you
 
SK123 said:
Completely see where you are coming from with the rings! I'm lucky enough to be competing at one of the bigger international shows this year (with a bigger ring!) and want everything to be right! Good thought, we will work on slowly building our tempo and stride off the corner! Thank you
Click to expand...


Well you certainly shouldn't have to gallop behind the line-up there! But definitely don't meander about so that the judge loses interest.
 
SK123 said:
Completely see where you are coming from with the rings! I'm lucky enough to be competing at one of the bigger international shows this year (with a bigger ring!) and want everything to be right! Good thought, we will work on slowly building our tempo and stride off the corner! Thank you
Click to expand...

RHIS - get your horse fit and enjoy the ride because you will never ride in a better ring.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top