HELP showing appaloosas

[naughtynags]

please can anyone help i am showing my appalossa in hand at the bath and west show this year but not sure on how he should be turned out can anyone help?!?!:

[Shadowlark]

I would assume it's similar to north america..

Clean, clear polished hooves, pulled and banded mane tidied but loose tail and a correctly fitted show halter with silver plates would be the general turnout around here right now.

You might want to call a local or idealy your horses breeder and ask what's in fashion in the ring right now.. Most breeders are more then happy to talk about tips for showing the breed they love

http://www.arizonaappaloosa.com/mostcolorfulyouth.jpg

[Daffy Dilly]

You certainly wouldn't see a pink and white jazzy combo like that in our rings for sure. :D

For inhand classes in the UK, you should wear a tweed jacket (pref green/brown) with a shirt and tie, trousers (light for dark legs and vice versa) and boots/discreet trainers so you can run. You should wear brown gloves and carry a cane. Hat can either be a ridden one with a harness (pref blue with leather), which is advisable for youngstock, a beagler (hat with no padding and no harness) or you can go for a western style hat.

Horse should be turned out to type - most probably plaited or possibly hogged, not left au natural. Browband will depend whether it's a hack or riding horse (both take coloured browbands) or a hunter type which take plain browbands.

If you show with an inhand bridle then don't use a horseshoe bit unless it is a stallion, and use a lead with coupling/chain. With a ridden bridle, you use your reins and riding bit. Pelhams/doubles do look better, but can be a bit of a handful from the ground. If you use a snaffle, try and find one with rings that complement your horse, for example smaller rather than bigger, and round rather than flat.

[Bacchus]

If the class is an Appaloosa breed class, then it may be shown au natural without being plaited, however plaited does look better. If under four years of age the horse should be shown in an in hand bridle with snaffle bit. If over four years of age the horse should then be shown in a bridle with snaffle or pelham. There is a brilliant book called 'SHOWING' by Jane Holderness-Roddam ISBN 1-872082-90-4 by Kenilworth Press, which I can recommend. Hope this helps and good luck with your showing.:)