Showing - how should my pony look??

[Bertie]

I'm thinking of entering my pony into a couple of showing classes this year and want some advice on how I should have her looking.

Possible Classes - Part bred Arab ridden or in-hand (not decided) and veteran ridden or in-hand (not decided)

My pony is a 17-year old part bred Arab x welsh not sure what section and is approx. 14.1h never measured her :p

Now I know Arab are to be kept natural with long following thin manes, she suffers badly with sweet itch and rubs her mane away terribly, over winter I've got it back and it's looking good, nice thick, straight getting relatively long. Someone mentioned I should keep it pulled :( but I'd rather not I'd like to get some length and thickness into it personally but this might not be right for showing, so how how best to maintain it for showing classes???:confused:

[Daffy Dilly]

What does she look like?

As a part bred she should technically be pulled and plaited. Browband and jacket will depend on what type she actually falls under. In both classes you are supposed to turn out to type - ie show pony or hunter pony. A long mane may be detrimental to her placings as it can alter the overall appearance (and you can do correctional plaiting) but it is your choice.

[Bertie]

Thanks Daffy, this is what I was afraid of if I kept it in natural long state.

So to help here's a picture of her face and body, please note the body shot is from last summer, a lot of work since then has gone into getting her in shape and building muscle etc

http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/9581/p9120219iw1.th.jpg (http://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p9120219iw1.jpg)

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/8900/p9170241an0.th.jpg (http://img117.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p9170241an0.jpg)

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/6518/p9170242hl5.th.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p9170242hl5.jpg)

[Daffy Dilly]

Well she's a hunter pony stamp, so plain workmanlike tack and a tweed jacket.

I think she would look better plaited, and easier to sew in false plaits than hide a missing section of mane, but if you want to keep her au natural then keep the same tack/turnout.

[Bertie]

Thanks you've been a great help, luckily her mane is much better than it was last summer, I'm just going to have to get some mane pulling lessons :eek: and then practice my plaiting technique :P

Should the tail be plaited as well???

[Daffy Dilly]

Pulled is better. Looks much neater, and again may be a better option as if she's going to try and rub it off, you don't need to worry about plaiting a missing chunk.