:eek: Mummy you must dress up :eek:

[Snowyboy]

Title says it all (except it doesn't!)

Took 5 yr old to watch a county show at the w/e where we saw some very smart lead reins (as you can imagine) - with Mummy's and daughter's wearing matching jackets etc

We are doing a LOCAL show and the novalty classes (prettiest pony etc) and if there are almost no entries - maybe an M&M lr class (he's got a splint so no way could he win unless they go to 4th place and only have 4 entries )

BUT I had no intention of doing any LR classes so I was just going to wear my jeans and muck boots and spruce up child and pony

NOW daughter seems to think this just insn't how it should be and wants me to dress up!

As I DON'T want to and don't need to for the novalty classes, just in case we enter a show class due to low entries (well, its the only way he'll get placed LOL) - would a black skirt, black jacket, white blouse and a pair of flat black shoes be OK??? IF we do a show class, he'll be in a black synthetic saddle and black bride OR I do have a havanna bridle and a working hunter show saddle which I could put on him - its OK but not great iyswim?

On reflection, my lead rein is havanna so he'll be in havanna leather with a small ringed snaffle (not going to buy a wilkie just for prettiest pony!) so in that case - can I wear black????

He's unreg Section A Welshie so I do have a set of tweeds with sensible tie for her but also have the full bling (and OMG is it bling - IF I try it out in the week I'll post the options as he looks so cute but def showy!!!!!!!!)

For the novalty classes we are going for the bling look - she's 5 so wants to be ott which is fine - plenty of time to get serious later on

So what do you think????

I am so NOT looking forward to this

[Daffy Dilly]

Given it seems she really wants you do dress up, I don't see how you can't not.

How you dress up is your call.

For your M&M LR class (check it does allow unregistered ponies) you need to look workman like. I would team the black skirt and shoes with a greeny/browny jumper if you can, something that complements her jacket, unless you want to trawl a few charity shops for your own jacket. The alternative to the M&M LR class would be the straight LR class, where you'd just plait, pull and trim and turnout as a hunter pony. You ought to wear a hat though, perhaps a straw thing with a ribbon round it - something you can sstill do on the cheap!

That is probably the more important one to dress for, although I'm sure the matching outfits help with novelty classes. If you go bling for the novelty classes, perhaps change to a different jumper/cardie, to match the browband, and if your daughter has a navy jacket that would be better than tweed with tonnes of bling.

As long as she smiles and enjoys it, that's the main thing. But you've been told to dress up for the party, so I think you'd better do.

I'm curious though, what is the wilkie needed for?

[Glider]

I was curious about the wilkie too. They're popular at county level, but definatley not compulsary!

Also lots of ponies have splints, and lots of judges won't care one way or the other. Horses and ponies win at county level with splints, they're not the end of the world as far as showing is concerned.

If I were you, I'd go one of 2 ways - either the outfit you describe (with a hat of some sort), or if you ride too you might have a tweed jacket and hat to match her tucked away somewhere, with shirt and tie (to match/similar to hers), trousers and boots. Either way you'll look very smart, and she'll be very proud I'm sure.

[Snowyboy]

not ridden for 20 years - and i was 6 stone lighter then!

they all wear those bits around here but I am not forking out for one just for a novalty class

was thinking about changing the jacket for blue - she's got tweed

I've got my funeral hat so I can wear that - at least its black!

didn't mention the bite marks either - he's got some scars where he was badly bitten - before he came to us so he's def not up for a show win

guess I'll need to dress up then

[Mehitabel]

a wilkie is actually a pretty severe bit - it is very thin and has a fair whack of poll pressure. most judges would look more kindly on a pony in a plain snaffle, if there were any in the class...

[Snowyboy]

good! he's fine in a thick snaffle - we have eggbut and loosering with small rings

he's so easy to stop he really doesn't need a harsh bit

glad you said that - thank you xxxxxxxxxx

[kat1]

My 5 year old does lead rein classes in shows. All the other mums in this class ponse around in frilly bluses, skirts, jackets and hats and that is not me - NO WAY!

Luckily, I usually have my pony with me at shows too which enables me to use it as an excuse to not feel silly. I lead Nat in my jacket, shirt, tie, jos and long boots. Even if I do not have my pony with, I pretend I do and dress the same lol! However, saying that, there have been times when I have run straight out of the lead rein ring at the end of a class, chucked the pony and child to my husband and lepped on my horse!

I would fall over if I wore a long skirt and high heels like some of the other mums! However, dont want to get marked down