The Role Of The Groom In A Ridden Hunter Class

[alfie1410]

Hi, I really need some help, a friend of mine has asked if I will assist/groom for her at the Southwell Ploughing Match, she is entering the Novice Ridden Hunter Class, and last time I was there I noticed that the grooms joined the riders in the ring, are there any hard and fast rules I should follow to assist the competitor, ie, where to stand, etc, etc, I know it sounds daft but I don't want to do anything to hinder her chances.

Thanks everyone.

[Sammii]

What I did, bare in mind it was only at a local show....

The main use for the grooms is to help with removing the saddle, touching up the horse before the inhand inspection of the class. And then re-saddling and getting the rider back on intime for the lead off or the ridden phase.

Aslong as you're quick on your foot and are used to what happens in the show etc. And can keep an eye out for when it's your turn and whether it'll be ridden or inhand first, you'll be great :D It's fun!

[Glider]

At agri/county level you will be expected to wear a hat and be fairly smartly dressed (eg no ripped jeans, bikinis, flip flops!)

When the horses have been pulled in to an initial line up you enter the ring, being careful to avoid the ride judge as s/he rides the exibits. Stand with your friend and their horse and assist as needed - usually the judge will ride first and then ask for each horse to be "stripped" (eg take the saddle off) for running out inhand - this is where you are needed so that while the rider holds the horse inhand you get any sweat marks off, brush and touch up, then resaddle afterwards and get your rider back on board.

Good luck, it's a great way to be involved without too much pressure!

[rtk]

Welcome to the club, thats my job for my daughter and her horses :D

Glider is right you are expected to dress (according to my daughter) the same as you would to show in hand. Trousers, Tweed, Shirt, Tie, Hat etc. You also have to carry all your grooming gear in a basket :confused:

You have to have the horse looking immaculate without transfering all the dirt, hoof oil and chalk to yourself, wipe the mud off her boots, leg her back on and all the time listen to what your doing wrong and praise how well she had gone (whether its true or not) Oh and dont forget the drink for the rider if its hot.

As well as this you are supposed to watch everyone else do their show and comment and manage to get yourself in and out of the ring at exactly the right time.

IMO it actually takes more skill than actually riding the horse :D

Good luck, its supposed to be fun.

[Emz]

Basically when your rider gets off... go into the ring along the back of the line up.
Stand behind the line up away from the horse whilst the judge gets on.
Then when the horse comes back, whip saddle off, brush off sweat marks, apply blackener/chalk/hoof oil/fly spray/tack cleaning wipes/baby wipes where needed so horse is 100% ready for the confirmation.
Place saddle behind the line a bit on the floor.
Then when horse comes back, put saddle back on, leg up rider and then quick tidy up before leaving the ring behind the line up.

[alfie1410]

Thanks everybody, this is all really good info, I'm usually the one being groomed, my beautiful long suffering sister always obliges and deals with my mood swings (nerves!) now I'll know how she feels! I only usually do dressage so everything is done outside the ring with no pressure. Again, thanks for your advice, it will be put to good use.

[holiday]

Good luck, i was going to go to southwell as its so close but decided (probually stupidly) to go to Congleton and do the PUK dressage instead!!!! Its good fun, just look smart and "pretend" you know what youre doing, youll get the idea - watch the other grooms and follow suit, thats how i learnt when I was grooming for hunters!!!!!

[alfie1410]

Just a quick update, everything went really well at the Ploughing Match, completely missed the ridden hunter class but managed 2nd in the In Hand PreVeteran, 1st in the Ridden PreVeteran and 2nd in the Novice Working Hunter, brilliant day, everyone really friendly, met some really nice people and enjoyed being groom for the day! Thanks all for your advice.