Potential Competition Pony In Hand Class- Help Please!?

[Fletcher]

Hello I was wondering if anyone could help!

I have entered my gorgeous 2yo part bred forest pony in a potential sport / competition pony class in 2 weeks and havent a clue in what state we should both turn up in!

I guess its best to plait him up? (he has a pulled mane) And me in cream trousers and tweed jacket? Do I need to wear a riding hat?

I would be very grateful for any ideas! :)

[Mehitabel]

yes, you should plait him up. if he has dark legs, then yes, light trousers and twed jacket with shirt and tie, and since he is a baby, a riding hat would be sensible. you should definitely have something on your head - whether it's a riding hat or cowboy hat/trilby type thing depends on you, and the safety of the horse. i have an old-standard velvet hat with the straps cut off, but if i were showing a baby who might clonk me on the head i'd wear one with straps. it depends how he is likely to behave in the show atmosphere - if in doubt, get the hat on and done up.

what is he partbred with?

[ponymadgal]

First off good luck. if he is young do you need to put a green ribbon in his tail?? He is best plaited up and as long as you are dressed smartly and have the write in hand bridle and lead thingy then you will be fine!

[Fletcher]

Thanks everyone for that! Unfortunately don't know what he is part bred with- it just says dam unregistered in his passport..

He is in a 2 and 3yo class so not sure whether I will need a green ribbon as all the entrants could be crazy! :D

I will try to upload a picture of him taken at the weekend

[Mehitabel]

that probably means he is actually a pure NF, just that his mum wasn't registered - perhaps she ran on the forest and her parentage was unknown, or her markings menat she wasn't eligible for registration. usually they will put the dam's breed on the papers if it is known. he's lovely! i wouldn't put a green ribbon in his tail though.

[Fletcher]

Yes that what I thought. I have just spoken to a friend who is a show judge and she suggested collaring the breeder to have a DNA sample taken off the mare to get full breed papers.

The idea was to bring him on and sell but I have become too attached to him to do that now! He has gone from wild boy to angel. Lets hope he shows that latter next weekend!

I will try to attach a picture of the ugly duckling 6 months ago when I first bought him!

[fatponee]

Sorry, no showing advice as I'm new to that scene myself (hence why I'm reading this thread). However, I just wanted to say what a lovely pony! I'd have him in a flash!!! :) Good Luck with your shows.

[Morwenstow Stud]

As you're not showing your pony in a native class, and as he's part bred I would definitely plait up and trim. Cream trousers with dark legs are perfect. The question of a hat is very much a personal thing. I only ever wear a hat with my colt. I wear a riding hat with harness in case he goes up. I never wear a hat when showing any of the others, even at county level.Hats just don't suit me. Good luck and enjoy :)

[lindz]

Echo all the above advice, especially about the hat wearing.

Many local shows have unregisterd/partbred M&M classes so look out for those.

Most of all good luck! ;)