Our first show... maybe....

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I've been thinking of entering my section B filly in our local agricultural show's Welsh classes. She's 4 and would be going in-hand. She's learning to walk and trot in-hand, and to stand up, and I thought a) she might enjoy doing the odd class or two and b) it would be good for her long-term education. The show is on July 13 and 14 so we've time to prepare.

However! The last show I entered was about 17 years ago so I don't remember much about ringcraft. I also have a erm... illness\disability... makes it difficult to deal with situations I'm not sure of, so this might be the last class I ever enter. In fact I may still have a crisis of confidence and not get to this one either! With that in mind, what's the least amount of stuff I need to buy for this venture? I have a white halter I can use - or do I need a bridle? Do I need a jacket or would a plain shirt do on it's own? Does anyone have any tips on how to show her and what will be expected of us in the ring?

Any replies much appreciated. I'm scared already....

[Emma_G_NZ]

Sorry I dont have any tips as I've never entered a show before.. But I'd just like to wish you good luck Enjoy it!! Think of it as a nice day out for the two of you

[Aly]

Hi, I am not sure about the rules or requirements of showing in the UK, coz I have only shown horses in Australia and the middle east.

In Australia, it is acceptable to wear something nice, like pants and a nice shirt, that does not attract attention away from your horse. I would wear a plain navy/black pair of trousers with a dressy shirt. If you want to go out and buy a hacking jacket, then that too with jodpurs and boots is also acceptable. I would make sure to wear gloves in the class, and would choose a colour similar to your shirt, eg white shirt white gloves. Though generally unless it is a turnout class, judges won't pay much attention to the colour of your gloves.

As for showing your young horse, I doubt seriously it will be acceptable to show him/her in a white halter, and suggest you either train the horse with a snaffle bridle, or purchase a led in halter.

The breed you are showing should not require plaiting as she is a filly, only geldings are generally required to be plaited in breed shows, in Australia.


Goodluck and have fun. Cheers! Aly

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Thanks for the advice Aly. I've done some more research and it seems white show halters are fine for Welsh A, C and D but not the B's! I'm looking for a leather show halter or similar for her. I'd rather avoid a bitted bridle as she's only just started wearing a bit, is not that confident about bits yet and is well-behaved led in a halter. I'll not invest in a hacking jacket till I know I can do this!

Thanks Emma - I need all the encouragement I can get!

[Mehitabel]

a lot of people don't wear hacking jackets for inhand - so don't worry about that one.
when you're walking round, make sure you're at her shoulder and she's walking out well, you aren't dragging her or being towed. you all walk round together for what seems like years, then the steward asks someone to stand in a corner and you trot one by one round the ring to the back of the line. get her awake during the previous pony's trot, and have her standing square and alert, so you give the judge a good picture when he/she looks at you for the first time. aim for a sharp transition into trot, without much walk, and try to coordinate your legs with hers (there's a fine art to this!). if you can wear trousers that blend with her legs this makes it easier for the judge to see her movement. don't go too fast and risk breaking into canter, but try to have the trot active and going somewhere, and keep her alert and paying attention right to the end, and stand her square when you stop in case the judge wants another look. when you do your individual show, again, stand her square and offer her a bit of grass to arch her neck and show herself off when the judge is looking at her. walk away (straight if she has good straight action, wobble a bit if it's less than perfect! (and give her tail lots of volume if her hocks aren't brilliant). when you trot towards the judge, don't go too fast, as they often dish when trotting fast. move on a bit as you go round to the back of the lineup, and again, keep trying right to the end. when you're waiting in line, keep an eye on the judge and have her standing nicely and not fast asleep (petal's favourite trick) as the judge will be looking past her and a good impression counts. when you've done it and are going round waiting for the final placings, keep looking at the judge as if you thoroughly expect to be pulled in first - bluff! i'm sure i've gone up before just by looking as if i ought to be there!
it's little touches like this that will give you the edge - if you can, get there early and watch a few in hand classes. see what the people who look good are doing, and what looks bad. good luck!!!

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Cheers Es, that's brilliant! I need to work on her trot - she's a bit too laid back about it at the moment. Carrying a schooling whip helps but is that acceptable in a show? Or is there an alternative I could carry? Having said that she may well liven up at the sight of a ring full of ponies anyway!

[Mehitabel]

a show cane is fine to carry.

[helencheshire]

I understand exactly how u feel 'nerves' ect. I have alays had horses but tended to be a happy hacker/charging round bridle paths ect. When I moved house and didnt have any land I put him at a local livery yard which was close to a Local riding club. I decided to tidy him up a bit and perhaps do a little in hand class or smething simplelike best turned out ect.
To say I was nervous was the underestimation of the year!.. couldnt sleep night before. I had a big grey at the time and had to get up early as he loved to have nce stable stains all over him!

I also found an excellent hacking type jacket in local charity shop it cost m about£2.00 and had suede patches on elbows was great! and some leather beige gloves for about 20p !

When we got there I didnt even knoiw how to sign in ect! but aways lots of friendly people to ask!

I watched some classes ( a really good point there ) that camed me down alot an saw what was expected of me. Didnt look so scary after all!

When we were called it ring I just remembered to be polite to the judge and listen and watch to see what was going on, and what we had to do.

I watched the others how they did thee little show and then it was my turn!

The judge told me exactly what she wanted me to do just walk away from her turn around and trot back and past her then bring hore to halt next to her were she looked over him again. He was always a bit funny with his back end so before hand did alot of prctising walking behind him ect which paid of!

to my delight we came 4th out of about 9 or 10 so was really chuffed with that!

After that day I wished I had done shows years ago !
Plus bacon butty van always at hand lol !! after the early start with no brekky lol !!

Good luck to u and I hope you regain your confidence. A good thought is to think everyone was there once, and theres always helpful advice around!

Hope you continue with i and good luck with your 4 year old. )