Aussie Show Rider

[jac4377]

:) Hi There!

I am an Aussie show rider coming to the UK in 2008 for the year. Currently I have 2 TB show hacks who are for sale to enable me to have the year away from home.

Whilst I am in the UK (living near Reading/Didcot), I am hoping to continue riding, possibly riding at shows for a large stable. I have ridden and been successful (including a champion)at Royal Show level here in breed classes, showing and sidesaddle. It would be great if I could get some advice on regulations etc at your shows and make some contacts. My ultimalte aim is to ride at the all sidesaddle show in August 08.

Forward thanks to anyone who can help me out.
Cheers
Jac

[jac4377]

Um, Ok then.

Thought that someone would at least say hello. It seems that I am on my own here......finding UK contacts that is.
Oh well, will see what happens from here.

[Glider]

I can say hello, but not really sure what you're looking for, I can't think of any contacts for you in the area you're moving to.

The rules and regulations depend on the society you're showing under, you might want to look at the following websites:

http://www.britishshowhorse.org/
http://www.sporthorsegb.co.uk/
http://www.britishshowponysociety.co.uk/

[eml]

Sorry we are not that antisocial really.

Showing in the UK is usually done by owners, either on a home produced or a professionally produced horse. Horses ridden by professionals out of their own yards are the very expensive likely to go to the top prospects.

If your special interest is sidesaddle it may be worth getting in touch with the Side Sadddle Association.

[jac4377]

Thanks for your replies. Was feeling a bit snubbed.

Cheers for the advice, wasn't sure how the show scene worked over there. Here there seems to be a lot of horses looking for the right riders. I have had the dilemma to ride my own hacks or show for someone else, my own horses were the winners. In the last few months I have turned down rides on Royal show champions and state newcomer champion, so I am a fair rider.

Am guessing it will be a case of testing the waters once I arrive. Does anyone know if I will need a competitors licence to compete in the Uk because I am an Aussie?? Any further advice would be greatly appreciated.

[HorseWhisp3r3r]

Welcome to New Rider (o:

Sorry no ones posted to you usually you'd get arm fulls of replies.
We're a friendly helpful bunch really :)
I'm sorry I can't be of help as Side Saddle isn't my forte, maybe try some
Agencies they may be able to help I'll PM some to you.

[eml]

You will need to be a member of the society who's rules you are exhibiting under but not worth doing until you find a ride. Unfortunately there are not many producers in the area you are going to be in as it is an expensive part of the country...be prepared to travel. Worth bringing over evidence of your show record and references from producers you have ridden for and asking them for any personal introductions they can make.

[Glider]

You don't need a lisence to compete in the UK, like eml said, you just need to be a member of the society you show under if it's an affiliated class. There are different societies for different types of horses.

Why don't you have a look at the forums on www.show4fun.co.uk and www.theshowring.co.uk and also http://www.horsegossip.proboards54.com/index.cgi they've all got lots of showing people on them for you to make a few contacts. It sounds like you're a decent and experienced rider, and there are often people looking for someone to compete their horses so it's worth putting feelers out before you go.

[jac4377]

Thanks again for your help.

I will have a nosey around the sites that have been forwarded to me. Already I am noticing how different showing in the UK is to showing in Australia. I am really looking forward to he experience (all experience is helpful) as I plan to set up a business riding, training and reselling TB racehorses as performance horses (I have already had a lot of success doing this- to royal show level).

So thanks again to those who replied. I hope to stay in touch and would love to share a few things about showing in Australia.

Cheers