Young handlers

[Horselover1234]

Hi all!
I'm taking my pony to a pretty big show on thursday... it will probably be the biggest he has ever been to!
amongst various other classes we are doing young handlers. I just wanted to check that my outfit and horses turnout is acceptable.
I'm wearing- Tweed jacket, full seat cream jodhpurs, i can either wear a white or a yellowy/cream shirt (which would be best?), navy tie with tiny white spots, black jodhpur boots, jodhpur clips, hairnet, velvet hat, brown gloves and pony will be wearing a brown riding bridle with the reins over his head. he will also be plaited (double french/running braid) but only his mane not his tail. is all this ok?
He can sometimes need a little bit more encouragement than i would like to get into trot. any tips for this? he's fine when everyones going round the ring but in the individual show he can be a bit sluggish... (sometimes he's fine but when the sun comes out he tends to get a bit sleepy...)
also, what will the judge be looking for specifically?
i've done young handlers before but not at this big a show!
thanks so much!

 

[Honey08]

Your attire sounds fine.
If you can't get him to trot, carry a whip, and tap him on his shoulder behind you. Practice now, teach him to trot with someone encouraging him from behind while you say "trot". Reward him when he does, then build up to him doing it on your command without help. When I say reward him, a good pat and a "good boy" is enough, don't teach him to expect treats in front of the judge!

Generally you all walk round together, then line up and individually bring your horses out to the judge, then walk/walk and trot away, turn the horse and trot back. The judge is looking for how the child handles the horse. It is really a diddies class.