Non horsey Mother needs to get with it - Help!

[webby372267]

Last year my husband puchased 2 horses for my daughter 6 year old mare and her 3 year old foal. both were broken but riding was tricky schooling was a bit of an issue. lovely temprement and unfazed by anything.My now 13 year old daughter has spent the last year completely re schooling and training these horses on her own not a single lesson just well meaning advice from friends :eek: wanted or otherwise!

they are now wonderfull so I am told, I have no idea! to me they are brown and stand in a field oh and need lots of things shoes food etc.

the thing is I dont do horses or the whole horsey set nor does my husband and my daughter has decied to enter the youngest horse for a show jumping thing novice i think??
Advice on clothing would be good, etiquette, what to do on the day? I do't want to let her down and she has achieved so much this year but i dont know where to start and our pony club seems quite eliteist so not going there then!
Oh and one thing PLAITING what is that all about???????
As you can see I'm of no help to her what so ever perhaps you could be:D

thanks

[*Sez*]

First, calm down - don't panic ;)
There's loads of info all over here (try running a few searches for specifics like plaiting) and there are many lovely folks who show and can give advice about clothing. I know a few members even have their own websites which cover this sort of information. I don't show myself yet, but am hoping to at some point in the future. My only other thought is that I would personally consider three or four a bit young to be jumping, due to the physical development process still being incomplete.
Finally, there are some great books for the first time horse and pony owner out there. I have a large collection of equine books, some for kids and some for adults, that cover a wide variety of topics, from first aid to tack, stable management to showing. They're so useful as if there's something I just want to check or something I can use these books as reference.

I get how elitist things can be at shows and how much pressure there is for things to be "perfect"- I think this is part of the reason I have so far avoided signing up for one! :D

Anyway, welcome to New Rider - I'm sure we'll all love hearing about how your daughter does at the show:)

[Guest]

Awh bless a non horsey mum........

I must say that I am very impressed that you are trying to 'get with it', my parents didn't even get out the car when they met Grady, they just said 'he's big isn't he', mind you I was 21 at the time......

You'll get all the help you could ever want on this site, I'm doing my first show on Sat and have had to refer here for help.

[webby372267]

Keep it coming the show is on the 4th june just got half term to touch the dam thing and learn to look like i am having fun.

big tip to non horsey types always wear white or cream I have been such a fashion vista this winter cream boots a cream woolen coat it is amazing the things you cant do in cream or white!! best go and buy some sludge green and brown stuff now. :eek:

[Wally]

Some shows don't let anything under 5 compete in ridden classes, just make sure she is eligible!

[webby372267]

yup checked that 4 years so looking good goes no chaps mean half chaps too? why everyone wears tham every day?????????
this gets more confusing as it goes on!"

[Bay Mare]

Yes, I would think that chaps means full and half chaps. You can usually wear 'gaiters' though which are a leather, more elegant version of half chaps and make joddy boots look like full length boots :)


http://www.boomspeed.com/egraphics/85205.gif (http://www.pickle-green.com/egraphics/main.php?id=eggs)http://minioldies.oldies.org.uk/smissie.gif (http://www.oldies.org.uk/quiz/)

[CurlyWurlyRach]

Wow! I wish my mum'd get involved. her and dad dont like to go near the 'brute' since she bit my darling father :rolleyes:
Your daughter sems to know what shes doing if i were you i wouldnt get too involved so keeeeep calm!
You can usually get away with white/beige breeches or joddys (basically the same thing), jodhpur boots, a shirt and tie and hat. I dont wear a jacket to showjump but its personal preference (and ive not saved up enough for one yet...)
I hope you all do really well!

[CrazyMare]

good on u for taking an interest! My 'non horsey' mum tried the other day to take an interest in my little angel and went other to see the beast with a feed bucket in hand.. well he saw her from the other side of the field, charged through the electric fencing(snapped it!:rolleyes: ) and took off at full gallop towards my mum who was stood in the middle of the field who ran at a speed I never seen her run before shouting various things I'm not going to repeat and swiftly climbed into the hedge!! never laughed so much in my life!:D

[michie]

I agree with Sez - don't panic! Breathe! Everything will be ok!

I commend you for being so supportive of your daughter. I got Otto in January and my father has seen him once and my mom has never come out to see him (although I still live with them while I'm in college).

You didn't specify what kind of show it was so I'm assuming she's doing some sort of hunter/jumper class that isn't rated...

For the rider:
Show coat
Show shirt w/ collar
Breeches (white/beige)
Black tall boots
Black helmet
Gloves
Belt
Bobby pins to hold hair
Thin ponytail holder
Hair net
Boot pulls
Boot jack
Black shoe polish (for spiffy boots)
Camera
Water
Snack

For the horse:
-Halter
-Leadrope
-Sheet (if the horse will be outside in the sun for hours)
-4 pillow wraps (for travelling) or shipping boots
-4 standing wraps
-Water bucket
-Haynet
-Grooming tools
-Show sheen
-Hoof oil (for shiny hoofs during classes)
-Bridle
-Saddle
-Saddle pad
-Girth
-Towel
-Carrots


Jumpers is based on speed while Hunters is more for equitation. Therefore, if she isn't dressed accordingly, the judges can mark her down.

When she gets to the show, depending on when her classes start, she may want to groom one more time and tack up. There will probably be a warm-up area for her to practice in, so she should be in there to give her horse enough time to settle down. If the horse is really nervous about its new surroundings, she can always lunge it before she hops on.

I'm sure your daughter will do fantastically. Even if she doesn't place, it's still a great experience.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM or email me. :D

------------
I forgot one more thing... horses may have boots on in jumper classes but they're not allowed for hunter classes.

[Pink's lady]

awww - you sound a bit like my mum, who, after 10yrs of me riding, has finally decided that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em ;)


Now - to give you an idea of the day- (sorry, this is long!)

getting the horse there - requires horse transport unless you're lucky enough to be able to ride. So that's a horse box (big lorry) or a horse trailer and a car ( meaning you need a big enough car with a towbar and insurance etc)

Getting ready (day before)- horse needs to be clean and tidy - so washing white bits (legs etc - human shampoo's fine if you don't have horse stuff(can by it at a tack shop)), brushing mane and tail, really good groom etc. They can be plaited if you wish (looks smart but takes time and skill and needs either plaiting bands or thread and needs to be done the night before unless you have a spare hour in the morning) but just a good brush will do it she's only jumping.

Tack should be clean and well-fitting and in good repair. A plain white numnah or a brown/black numnah (to match tack) should be used. Boots can be used if the horse is likely to knock itself (i.e is clumsy). (but only if its a plain Showjumping class, not a hunter/show class)

In the morning, plan to be there AT LEAST an hour before the class starts - you WILL need it ;) If you're having to load the horse, leave at least half an hour extra just incase she refuses to go into the box. She'll need travel boots/banadges, but they're not totally essential.

Remember to take a haynet and lots of water(and bucket) with you for when you're there. Pack everything you could possibly need the night before - grooming brushes, all tack and gear etc. Plan for the weather - waterproof rug if it's going to rain, fly spray and suncream if it's hot.

When you arrive, unload the horse, tie her up and give her the haynet and let her settle. Then go off (leave someone to watch the horse!)and find the secetaries 'tent' to either enter the class (if you've not already done so) or to collect your daughters competitors number. Remember to re-check class times whilst you're there.

Then go back and groom and tack up the horse and lead her around the show ground in hand (esp if she's never been to a show before) Give her a chance to settle. If she's used to shows and is calm, your daughter could just get on and ride.

Once the horse is calm and settle, go and fine what ring you are in and your daughter will need to get off and walk the course (to see lay-out etc) -you'll need to hold the horse. Your daughter should then fine a quiet part of the warm up area to warm up in. Depending on the horses - either practise brakes and slowing down and keeping calm OR getting the horse to wake up a little and listen. She should have a couple of practise jumps (start small then raise them to very slightly bigger than the classs height), but not many - the horse will be doing a lot of jumping and only needs a few.

You will need to enter you number on the list outside the ring (theres usually a steward there to do it) and you then go in in that order - try to time the warm up so she doesn't have to stand around for ages.

Then daughter goes in and jumps, whist you watch nervously, praying she doesn't fall off ;)

If she goes clear, she'll probably have to go into the jump off - which may be straight after her first round, or at the end - ask the steward.

Once she's done, make sure the horse has a good cool down and rest before the next class OR, if it's really soon after, keeps warm and going. If she's done well, you'll need to hang around to get the rossette ;)

Once your all finished, take the horse home put her out/to bed. Go home and have a large glass of wine ;)

Going to shows should be fun and if you're organised, non-stressful. There is only a few essential things to remember -

Remember to take all the horses tack and riders gear ;)
Go and collect the numbers and plan the class times
Find the ring, walk the course, enter you number on the list


For the rider - she only need the basics -
Pair of long black boot (leather preferably, but rubber will be fine) OR short boots and gaiters (black)
Showjacket - tweed will be you're best bet - tack shops have them but are expensive - ebay might be a good stop (try typing in 'show jacket tweed' ).
Beige jodphurs (clean;)
White shirt and a tie (can be any colour but should try to match something (i.e browband)
GLOVES and HAT! the hat MUST be to a proper safety standard!