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In the ridden class, ponies enter the ring on right rein at the walk, (leave large spaces betweeen ppl)dont cut corners, walk briskly, yet calmly and smile! Watch for the signal to trot. if you are stuck behind a slower pony, politely overtake, but dont block them! DONT trot across the middle of the ring to find space . There is always one particular side of the ring where the judge will watch the ponies trotting, so make sure you look at your best there! At some point, the steward will tell you to canter on, if you are not good at correct legs, strike off in a corner behind the judge, so you have time to swap. dont turn into a maniac, he isnt looking for the fastest pony. The judge may ask you to gallop along one side of the ring, so make sure you do your homework. and be in control.
When you are told to walk, dont collapse!
You will then be called into line. Nod to the steward and walki nto line. YOu then do your show, he may tell you what to do or you may have to do your own. The you strip your pony down for the inhand, and your groom will come into the ring (no doubt the horse will be sweaty) When you stand the horse up, have a crisp packet handy (or grass) to catch your horses attention. The judge will tell you to walk away and trot STRAIGHT back towatds them (on the SAME path ypu walked away on)
When this is over, the groom will replace your saddle and you remount.
Watch the steward to be called in and even if you are last, but your pony went well, what does it matter?
(Your pony will only be ridden by judge @ a breed show)
For mountain and moorland, obviously it is unplaited. Although depending on the breed, there are some extra things you can do (eg. welsh plait for welshies, a ribbon in the tails of Dales etc.)
These days, in the ring , you find most of the ponies have pulled manes, and i feel this is to be dicouraged. You can subtly gently trim, just to tidy the ponies up a bit, but dont go overboard, and remember your breed standard (is this for a registered class?)
The rider should wear a tweed hacking jacket, with a shirt and tie, johdpurs &breeches can be fawn/cream. Older riders wear long black leather boots with/ without spurs, depending on the rules of the class. Dont wear a large button hole. Gloves should match outfit (dark colours). Corrrect standard hat, (flesh harness looks good) and which matches thee coulouring (if your collor was blue velvet, blue velvet hat cover)
As for tack, you can use a straight cut saddle, or a more working hunter one, straight is best to show off your ponies shoulder.
At the county shows, in the large m&m classes, you lots of welsh cobs being incredibly annoying : they trot twice as fast as everyone else, so therefore insist on overtaking everyone, and blocking the judges view of you.
Try and ride your horse in company quite a lot, because whern your in the ring with lots of ponies cantering roung, this is so exciting.
Hope this helps
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