a little problem with my inhand showing

[jemma]

hi every1!!
im havin a little problem, i go to the local shows every week and ive been doin it now 4 a few months and im still havin problems with it. i no its not because of my pony cause he has cum first wit a different leader b4, but we neva seem 2 get ne where with it. plz if any1 has ANY tips 4me let me no.
thnx

[jUmPingIsLifE]

What?

could you please not use abbreviations. I speek english as a first language and i cant understand that, some here don't speak english as a first language and cant read what you have written at all.

can you tell us what sort of problems you have having w/ in hand showing? what is your pony doing wrong? i don't believe you wrote...or you did write it and i didn't understand.

[jemma]

sorry if my message has confused you its just that im used to writting like that. im still learning to ride and im brand new to showing. im only 14 and im not sure myself what my pony or myself are doing wrong. i was after a little help to get us stated and to see if anybody knew what the judge will be looking for, so if you can please help me out.
thank-you

[Gemma16]

Hi Jemma now I understand:D I can try to help.

If you are still only really learning to ride I wouldn't try any ridden showing yet as you need to be at a pretty good standard of schooling both horse and rider to get anywhere in ridden showing.

As for in-hand, the judge looks for lots of different things depending on the class.

Questions-

What breed/type is your horse? E.G. M&M, SP, RH, Hunter?
How old are you both?
What classes are you entering?
How do you currently turn yourself and your horse out?

[Miriam]

If your in-hand showing do you trot at the same pace all the way round. if so when you get to the judge try opening your horses pace going past the judge. To do this go a little faster in your running but do not let the horse go out of trot.

[jemma]

hi gemma thanks for your help

answers
-im nearly 15 and my pony is 6years old
-we enter in mountain and moorland, dun class, 4 and over and young handler.
- somtimes my pony is plaited up(depending on what classes we are entering in)
-i were my riding hat, beige or yellow jodphurs, black show jacket and black riding boots.

just a quick question- should i were jodphur or riding boots??

[jemma]

thank-you miriam
ill do that next time!

[Gemma16]

Hi Jemma, You should wear short boots as your under 16. FOr M&M's you should really wear a tweed jacket too. Also for the young handler and dun classes, if your horse is a true M&M should be left unplaited all the time.

Good luck though. Have you any piccies?

[jemma]

no sorry havnt got any pics yet but when i do i will send you them

[celyns mummy]

sometimes you can get the horse to trot well with you just walking.............. this is probably wrong though!:p make sure you practise a lot at home

[Jay.o]

Correct turnout for you is: a hat, that doesnt have to be a riding hat; plain trousers, black, brown or cream - nots jods; plain boots or shoes, usually jodhpur boots; shirt with a tie and a tweed or black jacket. (Always tweed with an M&M pony)

Your pony should be left natural if you are going for an M&M look. My horse isnt registered and only part bred native but I leave her completely natural, just has a trim the day before. He should be wearing an in hand bridle also, bitted or bitless - what ever he's used to.

When walking and trotting, try to line your movement to match your pony's. ie. when his left leg goes forwards, so does yours. It gives a better put to gether look and performance and helps the judge when looking at the pony's movement, hes not seeing a jumble of legs :rolleyes:

Always smile at the judge (not in a creepy way) and answer any questions he asks you politely. Oh yeah, look as though you are having fun!!!! Dont go round with a sour look on your face, lol!

[Demson]

You also need brown leather gloves and a show cane ..NOT a crop..

When you are called out to the judge, depending on your ponies conformation either ask your pony to shorten its neck by bringing its head onto the vertical or lengthen the neck.

Make sure your horse is stood up correctly so that the judge can see all four legs. As the judge walks around your horse make sure you step out the way so as not to block the Judges view...most do this and I get fed up asking people to move out the way..

Don't walk off until the Judge says so. When you lead your pony don't hold your lead rein or reins too short as this restricts the ponies natural movement, allow enough rein for your horse to move but short enough to keep control.

At the end of the walk make a light bulb shape with your pony and turn your pony away from you to the right, this allows the judge to see the ponies shoulder movement and quarters etc. Then once the pony is straight start trotting and trot straight pass the judge. Don't trot too fast and force your pony forward as this makes them rush. Just keep to your ponies natural pace.


Then once pass the Judge return to the line up.

While walking around the arena always make sure you have an eye on the Judge and one on your pony, make sure he is not slumbering forward but walking out nice and active.

Hope this helps

ALF

[Kanuma]

the best way would be to contact his previous handler and ask what signals he responds too, i reacently found a new one for my pony (i cant contact his previouse owner) so its worth trying at home, try voice aids and different lengths of rien and different speeds its alot of trial and error and inhand ponies never seam to go as well inhand after they start ridden work!

[Demson]

inhand ponies never seam to go as well inhand after they start ridden work

I disagree with this, my pony was regulary ridden and Jumped and still won at In-Hand shows and championships.

[Kanuma]

ALF he may still win i know mine does but stan is not the same he doesnt have the same sparkle inhand as he does ridden, your horse is still the same physicaly so in that sense still a gorgeouse animal and still as capable of winning but they dont have the presence after they start ridden showing they seem to transfer it to that (have talked to alot of proffesionals about it and all agree)

[Demson]

Thing is, as you know all horses are different so someone can't say ALL horses as my fella does not loose any of his sparkly character at all. It all depends on the individual horses nature and character.
However I also agree that some horses do loose their spark after being ridden. Just not all of them.

[Gemma16]

I would say you both have valid points here, but I have to kinda go with ALF a little more. A friend of mine has a welsh cob who was brilliant in-hand, many wins etc, then started doing the riddens too. This only inproved his in-hand work and helped with his paces being more balanced and flashy in-hand.

I supose its how much of a showman the pony is too.