Competitions!

[toohorsemad]

Ok what do you need for working hunter and halter classes? I am buying a connemara gelding and he loves working hunter and showing but I have never done it before so I don't know what I need! Could someone help me!!!

[lindz]

By halter classes you mean inhand classes?

It might be easier to start off by telling us what gear youve already got (tack and riding gear wise) adn we can advise what to change or what else you need.

What is your new horse called? Is he registered?

[toohorsemad]

Ok I have only got the basic tack at the moment because I only need the vets ok to buy him! I have long black boots, jods, skull helmet, back protector, a bridle (it fits him!), a saddle! I don't have a leather halter though! And I do mean in hand showing! Em at the moment I need to work on his flatwork before I do any riding classes I think! :D

[Kanuma]

for inhand classes he should be shown in a rideing bridle, you should wear, a shirt, tie, trousers, sensible boots/shoes and a tweed jacket.
for ridden classes a tweed jacket, shirt tie, long boots, velvet hat,and canary/beige jods.
this is a pic of me showing my connemara ridden
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/kanuma/stan/stantyt.jpg

and inhand (im wearing jods because i just got out of a ridden class)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/kanuma/stan/P1010027.jpg

[toohorsemad]

Do I have to have a velvet helmet? Can I have a covered skull hat? :confused: Plus is the tie just like a plain navy one or what?

[Kanuma]

at local level you can wear a skull cap with a navy velvet silk on it.
the tie can be any colour you like, im currently wearing a burghundy one, before that i wore a blue one and before that a green one, i like to have either spots or some sort of pattern on mine.

[toohorsemad]

Ok thats good! I am only doing local level! :D So what exactly do you do once you get to the comp? I have never done a showing class in my life but Victor is used to them!

[lindz]

If you want to get into showing the best advice I can give is to go to a local show just to spectate. Theres a lot to be learnt from just seeing how its done. Also pay close attention to those placed at the top of the line up!

[toohorsemad]

We were at a hunter class a few weeks ago, me and my sister were being judging all of them and saying who was going to win like little bets! I won the the small horse and pony class! But I never really looked at like what they were wearing etc.!

[lindz]

For showing class procedures, take a look here:

http://historicalfact.com/%7Ees/horses/showing/

[toohorsemad]

This site is for showing in th UK and I live in Ireland! Does it make any difference?

[Janette]

I think that things are very similar in Ireland, to the UK. Have a go - it's fun. You'll learn a lot, remember to smile at the judge :D , say please and thankyou (honest - serious there - I got a serious compliment from a judge on sunday about my daughter's manners. Apparently a lot of kids her age don't talk to the judge and just nod/shake their heads.........). At the end of the class, you can ask how to improve for next time.

When you are watching, look carefully at how the handlers show their ponies/horses off...... They walk and run at the horses shoulder, stand in front of it and wave bits of grass around to make it prick its ears. Then when they do the individual show, they walk awayfrom the judge in a straight line, make a careful turn to the RIGHT - not too tight (I got it wrong first time I ever did it :rolleyes: ). That gets a nice balanced turn, and when the pony is straight again, they trot straight past the judge, getting a nice, active balanced trot. Then they go back to the line up.

If your pony is older than 2 (I think - somebody put me right if I'm wrong please), show him/her in a bridle. You need to wear dark coloured gloves, and a bit of dark coloured elastic always looks better than that white string to hold your number on.

Have fun!!!!!! :D

[toohorsemad]

Thanks for all the replies! I am not very competitive but Victor is used to comps and loves them, so I hear so I will give it a go! :D