Clever showing peeps - hows my showing turnout?

[Laura+Phantom]

I'm going to do some serious showing this year now I have Saphy on loan. She's a Connemara, she was the Native Pony Association supreme champion on year, so not pressure or anything! Anyway she's 15 this year and still looking very gorgeous, I got her in October.

What do I need to sort out, clothes wise? We will be doing ridden m & m, normal workers and the one m & m workers class that there is down here. Oh and a bit of best combination, RC pony, and Veteran if the age is 15 and over.

Here's me with Phantom in my current show wear...I suspect I need yellower jodhs, green tweed and a garter strap, plus hat with leather harness. Anything else to make me stand out? My jacket is wool but it's really dull isn't it? Saphy is grey by the way (as in pure white!).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v115/LAUZ45/Phantom/phantomgwennapshow.jpg

Saphy has havana double bridle, havana WH saddle, unobtrusive limpet pad, but I need a havana leather girth.

[eml]

Sorry this sounds mean but isn't meant to be. Nothing you are wearing really fits.

Ideally get some buff/canary breeches/jods which really fit, no wrinkles around knee. Shirt with collar that sits up on your neck. You can improvise hat by covering the straps in chamois (wash cloth from local car shop). Check with Mehitabels website to see if you should have long boots or jodphur boots (brown) for the classes you intend to do.New jacket that fits, yes probably green ...try ebay... lots of people sell their outgrown ones there.

Look in Horse and Hound at showing pictures to get ideas.

[Laura+Phantom]

Definately long black boots, i'm 24 this year :)

My boots in that pic were cut off my legs that day, it was really hot and they got stuck and gave me horrendous blisters! So thats probably why my jodhs are wrinkled. I do need better coloured ones though. Shirt is crap, I agree, its a cheap one from Tesco's.

What bit of the jacket do you think doesn't fit? Don't worry, I won't be offended if you say i'm too fat for it lol. the trouble is, I have a big chest and smallish waist, (ok it doesn't look it there!) so its hard to get jackets to fit, they squash me somewhere....

[Laura+Phantom]

The boots looked better on the (fat) pony lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v115/LAUZ45/Phantom/overbentwendron.jpg

[S_F_S]

Firstly, please don't take this as too critically, you and your horse have a lovely local level turnout but if you can just sharpen up a few things you can really stand out.

I appreciate that people might not want to spend tonnes of money - so I thoroughly reccomend eBay - I get most of my competition stuff through there and you can pick up bargains at tiny prices.

OK - Others have mentionned more cream breeches, and better fitting. I reccomend the Gorringe canary ones.
if you can get hold of a hat with a flesh coloured strap, that would be an improvement.

Jacket wise - blue tweed really is a no no. With a lovely colour like that a green tweed with a reddy overcheck would bring out the red tones in your horse. combine it with a cream/yellow shirt (not white) and the tie is spot on here.

Gloves and cane spot on, boots are looking a little on the short side in the ridden picture but garter straps would tidy that up as you say.



Your horses turnout looks lovely - he is in fabulous condition. Just to nit pick - I would move the saddle back a couple of inches to balance the overall picture out. He could pull off a slightly thicker noseband too, when i zoomed in on the ridden picture it became more obvious that it could be done.


You say you are doiing M&M - so you need to be unplaited for that. You need to decide if you are going to go for an M&M turnout - let everything get long - or for a more hunter pony turnout - in which case clip legs, pull tail, thin mane to get neater plaits. At local level you can choose either or but I prefer to see people stick to one turnout, rather than a combination of hairy and pulled!

Either way I think a bit of strapping on her back end would also help balance the over all picture - she is very nicely put together but is so strong in front - the eye is automatically drawn o the shoulder - which makes one think she is weak behind, which she isn't. See if you can get more of a bottom on her - lunging, hillwork, strapping.

Sorry if that seemed hyper critical, as I said before on first impression you have an excellent turnout and much better than lots of others I have seen! - but in showing it is the attention to detail that gets you the results - how many of us have complained that someone in 'all the gear' beat them - well thats the whole idea of it!


Edited also to add that you can have many fun hours looking at the real time imaging photography website - photos of HOYS etc, gives you lots of useful ideas and inspiration!

[Daffy Dilly]

Top to bottom - your hat needs a leather harness, and you need to sew the tails under on the back - hunting tradition, especially as you're doing workers. I would quite like to see a slightly larger bun as it's not particularly visable, however as you're riding a M&M, you could achieve this with a reasonably discreet scrunchie.

You need a shirt with a smaller, and stiffer, collar. It doesn't need to strangle you (although mine do until I'm used to them) but it needs to be fitted. I wear a collar pin, which keeps the ends down, and also helps puff out my tie. Whether you wear one is personal choice, and depends on the shirt. Shirt needs to be a better colour, probably cream/yellow/red pinstripe type things based on your complexion.

You need a tie pin, the tie itself is fine (but depends how it goes, or if you find you like another better), but it's too flat. It needs a bit of puffing out.

Agree that your jacket doesn't really fit. It looks a little tight on the bust, but not quite fitted enough around the sides, and the lower arms are just a little looser than I like. The length is fine, but do get a double vented one, and shove the flap over the cantle to rest on the horses back - it looks neater than being sat on it. I'd try and get a green one, overcheck etc to suit your taste, but if you get any velvet on it, match it to your (navy) hat.

Jods aren't bright enough and they're too baggy, I'd get breeches, especially if you're sticking with those boots.

For me those boots are too short. If you wear them then they need garter straps - stick some spur straps on and see if they reach the back of your knee then. No spurs, against the M&M rules.

Your gloves and cane are fine, but you're forgetting to smile. Easier said than done I know. I can't tell if you had any number string on that day, but I just use black/brown plaiting thread and it's basically invisible.

[JackDaniels]

... about jackets that don't fit properly, I have the same problem as you Laura. Jackets that fit round the bust are huge around the waist.. (and it just doesn't look good..) Does anyone know if there are any jacket makers out there who make more tailored jackets?

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks everyone, since that photo I have bought longer Dulbin leather boots that fit!

The pony in the pic is not my loan pony by the way, it's Phantom, he's a registered part bred New Forest so if I do show him he'll be turned out like a hunter.

Anyone know where to go get decent fitting jackets? I've been looking at Caldene and Mears in the catalogue.

This is Saphy in younger years, off the web

[Nik-n-Kia]

Here is are piccys taken from Kia and i showing last year in a hunter class and small riding horse class.

hunter
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/Nik-n-Kia/DSC00255-1-1.jpg

Small riding Horse
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/Nik-n-Kia/DSC00234-1-1.jpg

Scuse his head he looked up as his pal started neighing!!! And my bun was falling out!!!

And another of us closer
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/Nik-n-Kia/DSC00237-1-1.jpg

Again excuse me huddling but it was cold and I couldnt wait to get my jaclet back on!!!!

This is what I wear for showing and I do a range of classes depending on what is available and how Kia is.

Nikki xxxxx

[jenren!!]

Well i think everyone beat me to it turnout wise but when i did working hunters and m&m with my exmoor x a few years back i wore blue tweed, beige jodhs, black jodhpur boots and a black hat...seems things have changed!

I would go for a nice black hat with a beige strap, a tweed jacket (green or grey i should think), beige jodhs (or canary) and black boots.

[Glider]

I would go for a nice black hat with a beige strap, a tweed jacket (green or grey i should think), beige jodhs (or canary) and black boots.

No no no (!) not the black hat for a lady. Only gentlemen should wear them for showing. Grey tweed and beige jods look very washed out, so people tend to go for more bold colours these days.

The advice people have given is spot on. Your age isn't what determines whether your in long or short boots for showing (it depends on the type of horse or pony you're riding), but you're correct in your long boots.

Why don't you go to a few qulifier or county shows and see what the majority of people at the top end of the line are wearing? It gives you a great idea of what's acceptable and what you'd like to go for.

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks, I will do :) A lady I know really stood out in the small hunter class at Royal Cornwall last year - with bright pink collar and cuffs under her green tweed! Sounds mad but it looked amazing..i'll go for yellow though :)

What class would I wear jophpur boots in as an adult then? Just wondering..

[jenren!!]

No no no (!) not the black hat for a lady. Only gentlemen should wear them for showing.
What do you wear then? Navy? Cant imagine what a navy hat would look like with green tweed! Although i wouldnt know really.

If you start out local surely turnout wouldnt be that important? Or arent you?

Jen x

[Daffy Dilly]

Washed out with some major turnout mishaps in both cases - I can list them if people really want, as you can't quite make them all out from the photos.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/CassatNorlandShow1.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/DSC00372.jpg

Not far off ideal, although there are a few things I'd change/am changing for this season. My attire will be the same; whilst my jacket only just does up on my chest now (:eek:!) I'll either be having a new one made exactly the same (albeit bigger and possibly longer..), or trying to find a chest reduction bra. :rolleyes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/scan0002.jpg

[stephanie bay]

re jackets - I have similar problems big across the shoulders and chest and small on the waist. I have a mears jacket whick I got altered by a tailor to fit neatly. Didn't cost too much for the alterations.

[Laura+Phantom]

Yes I have to wear my boob-crushing sports bra for my jackets to fit...:rolleyes:

What do you think of these jackets? Remember this is for wearing on my GREY pony pictured above.

http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&ProductID=5200074&CategoryID=LadiesJack

or these pretty ponies jackets
http://www.prettyponies.co.uk/acatalog/Page_Two.html

I like PP009 green tweed with red/gold check, or PP016 Green tweed with bold navy/dark red check.

[Daffy Dilly]

The Caldene one is good value for money, but if you can afford to, I'd go for the Pretty Ponies type jackets.

With 09, I wonder if it might be too pale? I can't quite picture 16 on her, but out of the two, I'd go for that one. You should get swatches of all the ones you like. I know the general consensus was green, but what about 25?

Also try...

www.designerbrowbands.co.uk
www.fyldesaddlery.co.uk
www.poniesonparade.com
www.showingselection.com
www.showingtime.co.uk
http://winningwaysonline.info/

and I like the Derby House keepers tweed, but it depends whether you want an overcheck or not.

[No_Angel]

i reccomend the caldene southwold. I dont have much in the wy of a chest,. but have huge man shoulders, and a small waist. Ive tried hundreds of tweeds on and finally found the caldene to fit nicely, one of the cheaper ones aswell at £83.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/meincaldenesouthwold.jpg

[S_F_S]

I have this Alexander James cloth on my grey mare: http://www.alexander-james.co.uk/acatalog/aj14_th.jpg

Black hats are a HUGE no no! Navy only. Ditto no brown, grey or green unless you are good enough to be able to justify standing out!

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks everyone, its so difficult to choose...I like the ones on www.showingselection.com, I think I would like an overcheck, to stand out a bit more.

[Daffy Dilly]

It is hard. When I went shopping for mine, I was looking at rolls of fabric, not made up jackets! Ended up pulling out 3 rolls of fabric which I liked, put them all together and they were exactly the same. :D

Your best bet will be to get swatches of all the ones you think you like, and try them up against the mare and yourself.

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks, I will try and do that :) I have a good local tack shop with a rail of tweeds so i'm sure they will help me too.

I just found a couple more photos of Saphy when she was supreme champion, this is more brown isn't it? It looks quite smart.

[Herbie's mummy]

My jacket is from pretty ponies :) beautiful and i love it:)
Very good quality also.
I have my navy velvet hat with the leather strap.
Brown short joddy boots and brown leather gaiters.
Canary jods.:D lol there bright
Yellow shirt, with a bar and a red and gold tie.
Red waist coat or a mustard coloured waist coat i have two to choose from lol :D and both go.
Or if i'm doing PC comps my blue shirt and PC tie. No waist coat.
That also looks nice.
Then a hair net and a bun :D very neat and tidy with a scrunchie to match my tie.

He has a WH saddle, normal bridle with large flat nose band and a martingale all in brown. Then a brown numbna sp? lol which you can hardley see.

He has his white brushing boots on as well.

I do WH so just thought i would say what i were:D

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks herbies's mummy :)

That's a good point - what colour boots should I put on her for the jumping phase?

[Daffy Dilly]

Does she really need them? Whichever colour way you do it there will be draw backs. I'd probably go for white if you have to use them.

[Herbie's mummy]

Yup my pony has white legs and he has his white boots on...:)

[Laura+Phantom]

edited

[LesleyR]

I really wouldn't put white boots on if I could avoid it - dark ones look much more professional even on a grey horse. Leave the white ones to the poncy dressagers.

[Keket]

I would just like to say thank you to everyone on this thread. After fuming about the lack of variety in tack shops around here, you've made me very happy to live in North America, where the rules for showing attire are so much simpler. ;)

[Glider]

What class would I wear jophpur boots in as an adult then? Just wondering..

On small breed mountain and moorland ponies (exmoors, welsh As and Bs are often ridden by adults), like this year's Olympia m&m winner.

[Glider]

What do you wear then? Navy? Cant imagine what a navy hat would look like with green tweed! Although i wouldnt know really.

If you start out local surely turnout wouldnt be that important? Or arent you?

Jen x

At local level you can get away with being clean, neat and tidy, but being correct gives a good impression.

Most people competing at county level and above wear green (or brown) tweeds with a blue hat. Have a look at the hunters and riding horses next time you go to a big show.

Here's me in that combination

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/feelingfaded/toffeeaug2006-0641.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/feelingfaded/champs1.jpg

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks for the pics glider, very sexy cob by the way :)

[StormyJ]

I wear a brown hat as my tweed is quite brown and would look weird with navy, but I really want a green tweed with a navy collar and a navy hat - seen them and they look really smart :D

DD - correct me if I'm wrong but I read that your boots shouldn't have shaped tops?

This is me with Phi last June. I have a corn shirt now :)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/stormyj/Phi/357.jpg

[Daffy Dilly]

No they're personal preferance really. In some classes under certain judges, particularly hunter classes, they might not be too keen, but they're certainly quite common now.

I for one would never wear pull on boots, the only sort you can wear a garter strap with. I hated the lack of security around my ankle and am much more comfortable in my dressage ones. I also really struggled to find some that were narrow enough in the leg for me - Regent don't seem to make them that narrow.

I don't think garter strapped boots are complete without spurs either, which you can't wear on a M&M. For some reason they just seem built for them, whereas perhaps because dressage boots are a more elegant rather than practical cut, they don't seem to require that finishing touch.

[Vicki&Milo]

Thanks everyone, its so difficult to choose...I like the ones on www.showingselection.com, I think I would like an overcheck, to stand out a bit more.

Theres some good deals on there in the '2nd edition' section!!

Vicki xx

[Laura+Phantom]

Ooh so there is! Thank you!


Also, i'm glad shaped boots are okay because thats what my new dublin ones are like!

[StormyJ]

I've got Regent and they are sooooo narrow - I am really quite skinny and I struggle! Would love some that were easy to get on (I have to use hoofpicks!) but we paid alot for them, even on eBay, so I have to get the use out of them! :rolleyes:

[Daffy Dilly]

I tried a narrow pair on at Robinsons, and my calves are probably 14" round though they may have been smaller then, and I didn't need boot pulls to get them on. Had I kicked my leg up, they'd have fallen off.

I did buy a pair of pull on boots, but they were misadvertised and too big in the foot, and I just decided in the end that the big air space around the ankle wasn't comfortable, and went back to the dressage style boots, of which I have two pairs of Dublin ones.