Showing in-hand (complete novice)

[Babyblue]

Hi, wonder if anyone can assist me. I live in Johannesburg in South Africa and own a three year old irish sport horse who is currently being professionally backed. I want to enter him into our Horse of the Year show which is held in February each year in the in-hand classes. I also am thinking of taking him to a local showing show in October, just to see how he's going to react being in a new place with new sights and sounds! I have no clue about showing in-hand and am looking for a step by step "idiot's guide" if you will. We don't often have showing shows or else I'd go and avidly watch other showing classes. I'd like to enter my boy in the general breed class and in the show hunter in hand. I've tried to attach a pic of him, hope it comes out. I know that he'll have to be shown in a bit, as he's entire, and I want to get him a showing bridle which is quite chunky with brass buckles - will this do for in-hand?

[Mehitabel]

afraid i dont know much (anything) about showing in south africa, but this site might help to get you started.

http://historicalfact.com/~es/horses/showing/

some of it might be useful - the format of the classes isn't likely to differ *too* much, i'd have thought.

[Babyblue]

I understand that we base all our showing rules on the british system if that helps at all.

Thanks for your response!!

[aliw]

Yeah, that website is really good!

[mtdewaddict13]

I'm asusming your not doing showmanship and just showing in-hand. Now, I don't know the breed requirements for Irish Sport Horses in South Africa, since I show Morgans in the USA. But my best advice it to watch some in-hand classes and get a feel for what you're going to be expected to do.

[CBay]

Try Amazon for showing videos as you say there aren't many shows near you. There's bound to be some that will give you an idea of what to expect.

Good luck.

[shirley]

Best tip I have is to practise and practise at home. Leading him from the left side by his shoulder, so as when you show him, he is between you and the judge.
Practise at walk first and then take him up into a trot and then a good forward going trot, to show off his paces as best possible. If you are able to bring his head into a good carriage, this will bring his behind up and he will step underneath himself more and show a better outline.
Also work on a small individual show of walking away from the judge and then turning him to the right, so as he again is between you and the judge and then trotting him past the judge.
He will also have to be taught to stand still whilst being looked at by the judge.
You do not need to buy a special in hand bridle, you can use ordinary bridle if he has been broken, if not broken then will need in hand bridle.
If using a in hand bridle will need leather in hand lead rein, really just looks the part.
You do not carry a whip in in hand classes either, so could buy a cane for a couple of pounds, not sure what price in S.A. Rand are.
Just get you and him in a balanced way of going, so as he does not get over exubarant and charge off/ run out etc.
Above all as my instructor has informed me is to have fun. The judge will always have a different opinion to you , unless of course they have placed you first!!!!! We just look at it as getting us and our ponies out for the day and having fun and enjoying the occasion.
Good luck with everything, he sounds like a very beautiful animal.