Question about Showing...please.

[kayjayhorses]

Have planned to attend my 1st ever showing comp this weekend, I have never done showing neither has my horse.

I have booked in-hand hunter,

but she has a fluid lump on the side if her hock which is an old field injury (atleast 8yrs old) vet said at the time it can be drained but if there isn't any need then leave well alone as its wont do her any harm nor is it painfull.

I realise this will affect her chances at showing but I dont want to get it drained until I know if she has any potential at showing, and I dont want to out her through it if there isn't any need. If the judges like her then I would get it done before I attend future show classes. But my question is am I gonna be laughed out of the ring or will the judges think I'm wasting their time???

[baxter]

not at all, will you be laughed at, in fact at local level showing, blemishes are not looked at too closely at all, however saying that showing is sooooo subjective and just depends on the day.... i was 4th and in fact last (only 4 in each class) at the weekend, and in my opinion the in hand show was understandable , was up against national level horses but the ridden, judge told me i had wrong lead on canter twice, i did only have it once and corrected immediatley in my individual show and other people spent two twenty metre circles, sitting on their horses back asking for canter, and got placed higher than me... not that the winner wasn't lovely, but i honestly think the judge didn't like my little man on that day, other days i show and if i get a judge who likes me i end up higher up the line...
i'll probably get shot and killed for saying this , but this is the truth in local level showing and to a certian extent the higher levels also....
get your face out and about, talk to the judges, steward , find out what makes them tick and enter as many classes as you can.
good luck! what show areyou doing? orsett? i'll be at ramsden on the sunday and was at basildon sunday just gone.
:)

[ponymadgal]

Noone will laugh! These shows are for fun (well that is how i hope most people look at it, i hate the whole i want to win thing) Good luck in your in hand!!! I managed to get a 4th in the coloured in hand (ok there was only 5 people!!!) and all we did was walk and trot round. then trot seperatley one by one, then the judge made us stand in a line. he called us out then we walked away and trotted back up. my mare never trotted though . . . and she stood on the judge . . .

[kayjayhorses]

Thanks to both of you you've made my worries go away I feel so much better about the whole thing now, I arranged it a few ago and thought yeah it'll be ok, now its getting closer I was getting a little concerned but I feel a whole lot better now.

I'm going to Tolleshunt D'Arcy for the In-Hand Showing, was at Patchetts sunday just gone for 2 dressage tests (on my other horse), hope you have a successful weekend 'Baxter'.

[Kanuma]

at local level it is likely that his lump will only be taken into account if there is anouther horse the judge likes just as much. however higher up it will effect him.
i would go to this show, doesnt realy matter where you come, but ask the judge at the end of the class why you were placed were you were and if it would be worth draining the lump.

[kayjayhorses]

thanks Kanuma thats really helpful.

[Morwenstow Stud]

You know your horse has this lump.Whether it affects his placing all depends on the judge and the other horses in the class. You may have a judge that puts conformation first or you may have one that puts performance first. If you do a performance well but so does another horse, then the decision may come down to conformation.The main thing is to go and enjoy.A ribbon is a bonus.

[baxter]

good luck for the weekend kayjay, best of luck....
would like to hear details on Monday!

[kayjayhorses]

thanks, oh and good luck for Sunday too hope you have a great day, will sort out my membership for Ramsden soon.

[atillathefun]

I took my horses to a show earlier in the year and mine was placed third (which I was happy with) the winner was covered in blemishes but was still placed 1st so I think it does depend on the judge
Good Luck and enjoy it

[kayjayhorses]

thanks so much for the encouragement, went along to the show and it was a really nice place, it was a charity event and all proceeds going to local charities including Essex Air Ambulance.

Came 8th in the In-Hand Hunter and 3rd in the In-Hand Veteran, so very very pleased with her and she was an angel all day, acted like a true pro (considering she's never done showing before) I nearly cried cos she was so great it choked me a little....how daft am I??? dont answer that!!!

[lindz]

Aw, well done! Sounds like you had a really good day out.

Not surprised your chuffed with your horse, the atmosphere of a first show can sometimes overwhelm even the quietest of horses!

[baxter]

very well done! fab result! :)

[kayjayhorses]

Thanks, at the time it was nerve wracking for me as I've never done it and wasn't sure what was involved but the judge and steward was very clear with their instructions so it wasn't something I should have worried about.

I've got to say I'm a little hooked and once I get some pounds off her will look to do some more before the showing season ends.