youngsters first show

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Sandstone1

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I'm hoping to take my 3 year old to his first show soon. He's fairly well behaved really.
Thinking of doing the Youngstown class.
I'm expecting him to be very on his toes as its all new to him.
Any hints and tips for youngstock showing please.
He's not broken yet, but is well handled.
 
Oh I'm following this, bringing my filly out for the first time next Sunday. She is also easy handled at home but I guess you never know what they'll be like first time from home.
 
My youngster was actually very well behaved at his first show, it was the second one we had to worry about! I think he was a little overwhelmed the first time, just get there really early so you have lots of time to walk him round and get him used to the busy environment, maybe see if you can find a quiet corner and let him graze in hand? That seemed to help mine a lot. Are you taking another horse? If so it might be best to pick one thats really chilled out and used to shows to help him see there's nothing to worry about. Hope this helps and good luck! :)
 
I took my then 11 month old colt out for the first time a couple of months back. He is a star to lead/handle, load and travel but exploded when he got to the show. He was rearing, shouting and throwing himself around the place. He did settle slightly, but then his friend started to call him and it set him off again. I'll be taking him out solo next time and hoping for the best!
 
Dizzleton said:
I took my then 11 month old colt out for the first time a couple of months back. He is a star to lead/handle, load and travel but exploded when he got to the show. He was rearing, shouting and throwing himself around the place. He did settle slightly, but then his friend started to call him and it set him off again. I'll be taking him out solo next time and hoping for the best!
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Oh god, I'm nervous now... I'm going with a friend who is very good with youngsters thankfully!
Did you get to go to your class?
 
I'm wondering whether or not to take his friend, one one hand it will be company for him but on the other I think they will scream for each other. Not sure what to do. It's only a short journey by box, 15 min max so thinking he might be best alone.
 
when i took my youngster to her first show, she was perfectly well behaved and trotted out beautifully, i was very proud of her as she can be a right madam at home on the lead so i was just aiming not to humiliate myself lol, the second show she was sooo laid back she pretty much slept through her whole class and trying to get her to trot out was a disaster! so the only advice i would offer is to practice ALOT beforehand, trotting out and standing still is harder than you would think for a youngster with the attention span of a gold fish :D
 
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Kacey88 said:
Oh god, I'm nervous now... I'm going with a friend who is very good with youngsters thankfully!
Did you get to go to your class?
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I wouldn't be nervous as every foal/youngster is different. In hindsight, I should of practiced taking him away from his friends more as that was the biggest issue I think.

I did go into my class and he had a few rears but was ok. I didn't trot as it would of been pointless and most probably scared him more.

Come to think about it, at the time of the show his 'danglers' had just started to form/drop, so the extra flow of testosterone could of added to the fire!
 
I think with youngsters is you wont know until you try. I took my yearling out 4 weeks after I got her and she was really well behaved considering I couldnt catch her for the first 3 weeks. She has been a gem every time out and only thing she has had an issue with was someont flushing the porter loo when we passed it lol. :D
 
Dizzleton said:
I wouldn't be nervous as every foal/youngster is different. In hindsight, I should of practiced taking him away from his friends more as that was the biggest issue I think.

I did go into my class and he had a few rears but was ok. I didn't trot as it would of been pointless and most probably scared him more.

Come to think about it, at the time of the show his 'danglers' had just started to form/drop, so the extra flow of testosterone could of added to the fire!
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Thanks for the reassurance. At least I won't have testosterone to deal with! I have her trotting up at home and standing well but like you I I'm not going to push her. I'm only going for her to experience it and hopefully get some feedback from the judges as I bred her myself.
 
Im planning on taking my 2 out soon ! Individually there is no way i am taking them together.

My plan is have a pocket full of small bits of carrot that i can give them to keep them focused when the judge isnt looking ! Haha
 
As someone who has been involved with organising shows, please do put your entry in, then if you do just go and let her look round, you are still contributing to the show. There are some people who make use of the facilities, as a schooling session, but don't pay a penny to the organisers by not entering any classes
 
I posted elsewhere about our day out but thought I'd update you guys, might help you selina's spirit. Anyway, my yearling was so very, very good. Was a bit bouncey to begin with but really settled in and stood up with great patience. I was very happy and would like to say thank you to you guys. She trotted up very well, but looking back at the video, I should run faster, it looks like she can't step out because I was too slow. So, run fast selinas spirit, that's my advice to you!

Anyway, we placed 3rd behind two adult show cobs. The judge said she can't see why my filly won't start winning classes when she has the same condition that they did. She's a YEARLING!! And one of them was morbidly obese. I was worried she was a bit porky a few weeks ago! So I'm not sure I'll bother doing it competitively, just for experience I guess.
 
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