Showing a New Forest a Few Questions

[shandy84]

Bramble has at the moment a very long mane and it has gone all wavy, I am intending to have it pulled to a reasonable length by the time the show arrives, I just wanted to know if i needed to try and straighten it?

Also with our trotting up, she is doing very well except on the turns she tries to continue straight even when prompted to turn any advice on how to rectify this?

Also can you take a showing whip in classes and if so how much are you allowed to do with it?

Are you allowed to touch your horse when it is being stood up for the judge?

Thanks guys :)

[Mehitabel]

certainly don't emphasise the waviness - it might straighten out when it's shorter anyway, but wavy mane and tail isn't desirable. i'm not sure how you'd straighten it though...

what tack is she in for the trotting up, and will you be showing her? if a bridle with reins, then you can have the reins between different fingers and give a feel on the inside one to guide her round. if it's in a halter, then it's the good old 'elbow in the neck and show cane pointing at nose' manoeuvre. as you come to the corner, (you're holding your show cane in the middle) just point it at her nose and hopefully she will turn away from it. you're on the outside and by her shoulder, so you shouldn't be visible doing this.

show cane yes - what do you need to do with it? i use it for poking her in the chest to stand her square and occasionally for the corners as described above. have occasionally walloped her with it in the collecting ring when she has been a particular PITA.

yes, you can touch them when standing up. you're expected to stsnd them up square, so a poke in the chest is fine, and then mostly people pick a handful of grass and either feed it to them under their nose so the neck comes up and arches, or sprinkle it in front of the face for pricked ears.

in this pic i'm waiting my turn as the judge finishes watching the previous person go, but when the judge is actually looking i'd have her just a bit more 'to attention'.
http://historicalfact.com/~es/pony%20pictures/show3.jpg

[shandy84]

Thankyou

I was thinking of a lot of water brushing the night before and a lycra hood for keeping it flat that is all I could think about if it stays wavy :)

She will be in the white webbing halters with the all in one rope attached. I'm glad you could get away with the whip/corner tactic as that is what works really well for her, she is almost in the right condition now, a tiny bit more weight and a little more exercising to finish her off.

She has kicked (you may have seen my posts) I am not unduly concerned about staying in control as I will be armed with her controller headcollar and whip, but I was wondering am I best to put a red ribbon in her tail? If I do should it be taken out before we enter the ring? if not wold a green one be better?

[Mehitabel]

green is better i think - she *is* a novice, and then you're warning peopple about potential general freaking out, not just kicking. don't be afraid to warn the person behind you to keep their distance too - even if it's 'she's not been out before so i have no idea how she'll react when you get up close'.