First Show... help needed :)

[myhorseisginger]

Hi I’m hoping to take my horse to a local summer show this weekend coming. I’m going to enter him in the veterans showing class. Problem is I have never done showing before and don’t really know what I’m doing!

Please could someone help me with the below? Pleeeeeeease!

1. I assume he has to be plaited (mane AND tail?)
2. Is it ok for him to wear a black numnah?
3. I have a black Jacket, Cream Jodhs, Knee length black boots and a shirt and tie – is this ok for showing? I know it should really be a tweed jacket but at local level is black ok?
4. This will sound really stupid and I think i already know the answer but will I look stupid if I turn up in un-matching tack? I have a black saddle and brown bridle.... I'm sure that this will get me marked down but any advice would be great

Thank you! 

[Glider]

What type is he? If he's not a m&m or arab, then yes, you have to plait the mane AND tail (unless his tail is pulled).

It's fine for him to wear a black numnah, as long as it fits discretely round the saddle with not much showing.

Tweed would be much much better, but if black is all you've got that's fine. Try to find a tie with a bit of colour in if you haven't already, to lift it a bit. Perhaps if you intend on doing quite a bit of showing or you do really well at the weekend, you might think about saving for a tweed.

You won't look stupid at all in non-matching tack, it really doesn't matter that much unless one is black and the other is that really orange colour. Darkish brown and black are ok together.

I'm not sure if you've thought about where you're going to display your horse's age? it looks really smart if it's attached to the bridle, though some people have it on their arm.

Good luck

[Daffy Dilly]

I've never seen anybody have to display age before now at local. I thought it was just a VHS thing?

[Glider]

I've never seen anybody have to display age before now at local. I thought it was just a VHS thing?

It's asked for more often than not at local shows near me, and quite a few people display it, even when it's not asked for.

I'd have an "age tag" of some sort with me, just incase everyone else has them on!

[myhorseisginger]

Thanks for your advice guys i really appreciate it! yay so glad the mismatched tack wont be a problem - the bridle is dark brown so should not look too different.

I hadn't thought about the age tag so thank you! I think I'll make one just incase. Can it be a little circle with the age written on? Sorry to ask dim questions! He is an anglo arab so guessing he'll still need to have a plaited tail...? I could pull it but he's a sensitive soul and i dont think he'd appreciate it!! x x x

[Glider]

A little circle is fine, and yes, a plaited tail if it's not pulled :)

Good luck

[Laura+Phantom]

Lol, is he a chestnut by any chance? I love your user name myhorseisginger :D

Good luck! How old is he? (if he doesn't mind me asking?) I used to do veterans with my old loan pony when he was 22-24 (he was ginger too)

[suneanarab]

speaking as a judge, yes you will be fine on the tack for local shows, your jacket is also fine, though as said a tweed would be much better (maybe you could ask for one as a birthday pressy? there are some very reasonable ones (we have some that sell like hot cakes and are only £35 not advertising just saying so you know that they are out there), i never ask for age unless i think the horse is very novicey and is in an open class, or it's a veteran class. as for plaiting, short manes yes (though only tradition and we have won at top level with a pba who wasn't plaited as my hands wouldn't work) and a pulled tail on anything other than m+m's and arabians is considered far more professional but still down to personal choice.

good luck with the show and let us know how you get on!!

[Laura+Phantom]

speaking as a judge, yes you will be fine on the tack for local shows, your jacket is also fine, though as said a tweed would be much better (maybe you could ask for one as a birthday pressy? there are some very reasonable ones (we have some that sell like hot cakes and are only £35 not advertising just saying so you know that they are out there), i never ask for age unless i think the horse is very novicey and is in an open class, or it's a veteran class. as for plaiting, short manes yes (though only tradition and we have won at top level with a pba who wasn't plaited as my hands wouldn't work) and a pulled tail on anything other than m+m's and arabians is considered far more professional but still down to personal choice.

good luck with the show and let us know how you get on!!

She is doing a veteran class ;)

[myhorseisginger]

Hey Laura- yeah he is a chestnut - BRIGHT chestnut hence the name :D

Thanks for all advice - shows tomorrow and have so much to do. Will be plaiting tail and mane (been practising today!) Not 100% doing a veteran class now but will def be doing condition and turnout

Thanks again! x x x

[myhorseisginger]

Oh and btw - he's approx 18 .... give or take a year!