Ds's first show on sunday, any tips?

[Principality]

Mainly for me as I am panicking!

Ds is taking his part loan pony to their first show together on Sunday. She is an absolute super star and know the ropes.

He is feeling pretty good about it at the mo, but I think may have a bit of a panic when we get there and sees how busy it is.

I am panicking about plaiting her mane... I haven't done it in years and its thick in parts, rubbed in others...

He is doing a nursery stakes jumping class on the leadrein. He has been jumping at home off lead but only over 4 jumps in a mini course as we don't have any more. I'm a bit worried he'd forget the course..

Then he is doing the first ridden class too. We came upwith a mini show together, showing him trotting in both reins and a canter. She is very well behaved and does as she is asked, but he does do a bit of typical novice flapping and she doesn't go round in an outline. But I am hoping, as it is a small local show, it won't matter so much.

Does anyone have any tips or experiences they can share?

[marialuisa]

If it's a small local show then people should be happy to help.

If he's jumping on the lead rein then you can help him remember the course and there will be a clutch of parents watching the first ridden with baited breath. Judges in first ridden are well used to kids forgetting their show, taking a couple of attempts to get canter and so on-even at affiliated level from a class I watched at BSPS Champs!

As for plaiting, when a mane is tricky lots of small plaits can look better (remember to make sure you have an odd number down the neck). Plaiting spray makes it easier too.

Enjoy it, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

[Principality]

Thank you.

Yes, I think leadrein is the safest option for his first attempt, just in terms of heading the right way! Does the leadrein have to be the posh leather sort you find in lead rein classes or for jumping can it be a regular lead rein? Also I know in lead rein showing classes mums wear the delightful outfits ;) I am guessing I don't have to for leading a jumping class, but what should I wear? I know the schedule says no trainers.

Thanks for the advice re first ridden. That makes me feel a lot better that the other competitors won't all look like they've just stepped out of the h+h
showing pages!

Thanks very much.

[marialuisa]

Depending on how formal you think it's going to be would suggest trousers and boots for the jumping, check if you need to wear a hat too. I'm sure a normal lead rein will be fine but if you're worried about looking "wrong" give the secretary a ring.

[Butkin]

OP what sort of show is it? If an affiliated type show you may want to wear boots and a hat (your own riding hat would suffice) for leading. Try to buy or borrow a leather leading rein if possible rather than rope unless it is a local show.

Good idea to do LR jumping as DS can then worry about riding well and not have to remember the course. I'm sure you'll have a great time. Don't forget that you'll need to jump the fences as well and try not to look back too much in case it makes the pony back off. (practise this at home!). As soon as the pony lands though quickly check in case DS needs to be nudged back into saddle before running on to the next jump.

As for FR - there will be lots of other parents worrying to. Just make sure he knows the show should be short and sweet rather than going on endlessly.

A good one would be walk away, trot back and round ring and canter on corner (a few strides will be fine) then change rein across the diagonal and ask for canter again on corner and after a few strides trot round and back to judge. Teach him to halt nice and square and quick salute to judge once pony is still. Simple.

Be aware that if it is a reasonable level show they may ask him to take his tack off and do a confirmation "strip". You should go in and help him (with hat on to "groom") to untack and tack back up. He'll need to stand the pony up for the judge, walk away, turn the pony away from himself (ie pony always on judge side) and trot back past the judge. At a local show they may not bother but something to think about.

Let us know how you get on!

[Principality]

Thanks for taking the time for such a lengthy reply.

It is only a local level show, so I'm hoping a little more relaxed .

Thank you for the tip re checking her, that never would have occurred to me. I think we need to practice some lr jumping as at home I have just run alongside when needed.

His current show is (on an imaginary square, practising in one end of the school) walk away from judge, then trot across the diagnal, ask for canter in the next corner, back to trot, change the rein on diagnal and then walk, halt in front of judge and salute. Should I get him to add another canter in on that rein? Trying to keep it short and sweet- with less room to forget or make mistakes.

I will talk to him about the possible extras, although as it is quite a small one I don't think they do it- but better to be prepared!

Thank you for your help. It's much appreciated.

[Butkin]

You normally canter and trot on both reins. You will definitely get marked down for only cantering on one rein even at a local show. Short is good but get him to think of it as a figure of 8.

[Principality]

Just an update.

I could not be prouder and more pleased with ds and pony if I tried.

He came first in both his classes and she was an absolute star from start to finish.

She was on her toes in the jumping and ds nearly flew off at the first fence as she jumped twice as high as we were expecting. She boinged around the course and went clear. I was just about recovered from my cardiac arrest when the last entrant was the only other clear and so we went again. She was very keen but a super girl. We won by one second!

Then he had first ridden and they were both fantastic together. Only two in the class. His show went really well except she got the wrong lead in her second canter. But apart from that didn't put a foot wrong, cantered when asked, stopped when asked. Other pony put in a bit of a nap but seemed pretty good apart from that.

So for his first ever show, having only started riding in April, they were both phenomenal. So so proud. :)

[Butkin]

Well done Principality and DS! I had mentioned checking DS after 1st jump because the same happened to me when I was leading DD for the first time in WHP and he jumped enormously over the first jump. I wasn't as sharp as you and allowed DD to slowly fall off whilst I was gamely running to the 2nd!

Glad everything went well and you all had fun.