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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

"Showing Ponies" on Sky

31 replies

marialuisa · 12/02/2012 18:06

Just seen the trailer for this today and am seriously reconsidering the plan to take dpony showing this year!

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Butkin · 12/02/2012 20:01

We watched this being filmed at the BSPS Summer Champs. Can't wait to watch it. Obviously been edited to show the most extreme incidents and personalities. Maria which parts horrified you the most? !

Pixel · 12/02/2012 22:38

The video's been taken off, I'm intrigued now! What programme is this?

Pixel · 12/02/2012 22:40

Is it on Horse and Country tv, as I'm SadAngry that we can't get it. Could maybe get someone to record for me though!

marialuisa · 13/02/2012 09:23

Butkin-it's just so full on and although dd and dpony have qualified Winter Champs and POYS if either are anything like the programme we're just not ready for it! I dutifully put make-up on dpony last time out but was unconvinced by it (the fact I can't put my own make-up on probably hinders things!) and I can't imagine carrying on with something if DD was getting sick from nerves....

Our "mentors" are at HOYS very year and seem relatively normal but honestly we're just too shambolic laid back for serious showing.

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BarnabyMirage · 13/02/2012 10:23

Argh,I was planning to watch that clip today and now it has gone.I saw a bit last night [with no sound] and it didn't look our sort of thing,but looked intriguing.

marialuisa,why do ponies have make up put on them? What is horse make up? Is it something you are expected to use if showing?

Sorry for all the questions,but I've never come across such a thing before.

marialuisa · 13/02/2012 11:01

To highlight their natural features! Dpony gets rather lovely black circles around his eyes and muzzle in the summer so make-up to highlight them and baby oil gel over the top to make them shine. In winter the black gets covered up by his winter coat so make-up to put the black back on (which is what I thought looked mad). You can get red make-up for chesnuts and probably other colours as well.... I think that's more of a concealer though. Then there's the usual chalk powder-this I do appreciate as it helps cover dirty marks up. From what I can gather (we are very, very amateur) it's considered totally normal in showing. it doesn't bother dpony although I can't remember what it's made from off-hand, comes in a little pot and you apply with a sponge, it's sort of creamy in texture but slightly hard?

Although we always had horses and ponies growing up I never knew anyone who did showing so it's a whole new world to me. The main (and rather upsetting) reason for getting into it is to try and find a lovely next home for dpony as DD will almost definitely be too tall for him by September. Although we love him to death and he's amazingly talented he's not likely to be the sort of thing that the average PC mum wants to buy for her 8 year old as he's big-moving and goes like s*it off a shovel. He's totally safe but it's a big ask to put a child on him and expect them to trust that he will stop, I've certainly had my heart in mouth watching DD out hunting but as she (and others) have assured me, she's in perfect control he's just fast!

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Butkin · 13/02/2012 11:06

Marialuisa, Yes the clip did look full on but it was sharply edited to make this trailer. Not sure what sort of background the production company have. They never seemed to be in the right place to film what we'd have considered interesting but hard to know what their agenda is.

Very suprised about the little girl being sick after the jumping because she is a very experienced worker. She is in our local area group and won the Areas Points Cup for workers so this was all a bit strange.

The bored dad was a bit of a cliche (liked him clutching his papers!) but I guess they can't all be keen.

At least they were at a top class show with lovely ponies rather than trying to make something of a more provincial show. Wonder where else they went.

Supposed to be a Sky show starting in May but don't know the channel.

DD (8) shows here M&M FR and we've bought her a 4yo 12hh SHP which hasn't been to a show yet (just being backed). The latter will be with pro producers all year but we'll have the M&M at home for the first time having been pro produced last year.

The most important thing about showing is how a) how the pony goes, b) how well the jockey rides and c) confirmation of the pony.

If any of these are not up to scratch then you'll struggle. The use of "products" can enhance the look of the pony but as long as it is good coat and shape then that is the most important (cleanliness if of course a given).

Makeup and gloss can depend on a pony. Bays tend to have oil round their eyes and muzzles to enhance their look whilst greys can have black makeup round their eyes to give them a better outlook. We do add some glistening oil and some "sparkle" to their tails but generally a judge will see through this. However they should look gleaming for in door performances under lights at night.

Butkin · 13/02/2012 11:08

and as Maria says we'd always put chalk on white legs. Luckily we don't have any on our current pair.

marialuisa · 13/02/2012 11:42

Hmm, so far have seen some shocking riding and pony behaviour! I can't get my head around the extensive use of draw reins/side reins and so on in the warm-up ring either-although didn't see any of that on the clip. Dpony has fab confirmation and is much admired but he carries his head slightly too high (if we're picking faults). Have spent a lot of time trying to undo damage done by a showing type at our former yard who insisted on strapping him down so much he ended up totally on the forehand and rather stiff. All's well with that now though, thanks goodness but I'm reluctant to do anything that might mess it up again.

I was very impressed by an NCPA judge who walked round next to a child in a first ridden class whose pony had a bit of a paddy to help calm pony and rider down but horrified by the mother who was swearing away next to me.

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Olderyetwilder · 13/02/2012 12:23

I'm very glad that we don't do showing, I don't think I could hack it!

Butkin · 13/02/2012 12:47

We've never used draw reins/side reins although of course I'm not so naive to say that this doesn't go on - especially when ponies are to be ridden by tots who can't get the ponies on the bit themselves.

We have used a bungee at home though on a young pony and it worked well.

Ponies should go on the bit but they should not be overbent - this is just as bad. I think some people think it is smart to get the ponies noses right in but in fact this just shows their lack of knowledge. As well has having ponies at home we've had them with three of the countries top producers and you'd never see them "tied down" - going forward in the correct outline is what it is all about. In fairness though all our LR/FR ponies were ridden regularly by teenagers/small adults who knew what they were doing.

Sometimes home produced ponies can struggle because the parents only have the tots to ride them. This is one of the things you notice with the top yards - that the ponies go well because they are well schooled - something little people are just not strong/experienced enough to do.

Judges should be kind and sympathetic. We usually find they are and good stewarding is particularly important (something the BSPS excel at).

Showing mums - rather like some pony club mums - can be a nightmare though!

Butkin · 13/02/2012 17:40

Barnabymirage - just watched it again as a link on Facebook. You "follow" Supreme Products and they have it on their timeline.

BarnabyMirage · 13/02/2012 19:10

Thanks Butkin,I'll try and watch it when the dds are in bed-they are currently racketting about making too much noise for me to concentrate.

I've just told DH that there is such a thing as horse makeup,and he is eyerolling fit to burst.

I have to confess that I have used chalk on dpony,before she went to the opening meet,but in my defence she is a grey who lives out and enjoys wallowing in any mud she can find.It was useful to cover up the worst of the stains.

Butkin · 14/02/2012 11:17

Barnaby - don't let him look at www.supremeproducts.co.uk or he may expire on the spot!

Our ponies wear lyrca hoods and all over body suits after they have their pre-show baths to keep their coats in good order. We never give this a moment's thought but sometimes when we turn up to local shows we do get some funny looks even from horsey people!

Mirage · 17/02/2012 10:14

I think SKY are taking down the clip as fast as they can,so I didn't get to see it.

DH still hasn't gotten over me buying Fairy Liquid to 'wash a horse's arse' as he put it,while I buy Aldi cheap stuff to wash the dishes we eat from with.He was outraged.Grin

marialuisa · 17/02/2012 11:29

Mirage-sounds similar to DH's response when he realised dpony's massage sessions (i.e. the back lady) cost more than his.....He wanted to ask his physio to come and do dpony Hmm

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Mirage · 17/02/2012 22:36

marialuisa I've had that too,ie 'the horse gets a private dentist and back person,I don't'.I shall have to break it to him gently that there is no horsey NHS.

Although,after the expensive savaging my dentist inflicted on me recently,I think I'd prefer Dpony's lovely dentist.Hmm

SemperUbiSubUbi · 17/02/2012 23:17

Mirage washing up liquid strips the natural oils and shine away from their coat.

Butkin I also use hoods but I cut massive holes out of the front of the face so no material goes anywhere near the eyes. I have seen what damage a slightly turned hood can do if it rubs their eyes.

Does anyone know if Julie Templeton is on this? I remember her being filmed for something but dont know if it was for this or a stand alone piece elsewhere.

Mirage · 18/02/2012 10:44

I rarely use it anywhere apart from her tail,Semper,as that is the worst bit.She has only had 1 bath in 7 months with us because she lives out and we don't do shows.Grin

If you look on the 'Horse Gossip' website,there is a long thread about the show on there and various people were mentioning names of participants,judges ect.You might find out via there.

SemperUbiSubUbi · 18/02/2012 20:34

I havent been on horse gossip for ages. (been in and out of hospital with DS) but I love having a good nose on there every few weeks or so, I love how much they all get their claws out but all post on the guest section to remain anonymous Grin Ill nip over and have a look thanks.

SemperUbiSubUbi · 18/02/2012 20:45

This one may be more for Butkin but I remember when I was younger sitting in a line up at ponies uk back when it was in Peterborough and Imogen Allison was one place down from me and her mother stormed in the ring and dragged the pony out because she wasnt in the top 5 probably.

Butkin · 19/02/2012 22:49

Imogen Allison - that is name from the past. Probably not heard of her for 15 years. I remember her being the Poppy Carter of her time. Ultra competitive family and lived for showing. She was just a child though and I was showing my heavyweight cob at that time although I stewarded her a few times.

I wonder what happened to all the top show riders of the 1990s. Bet many of them have gone on to successful equestrian careers.

SemperUbiSubUbi · 20/02/2012 16:19

I used to show a lot from the ages of about 6-16 so 15 years ago would be about right as Im 24 now.

I think Imogen used to ride Bradmore catkin, who retired to Australia and old doed within the last few years.

Yes there was Imogen (who I think is living abroad now), Natalie and Melanie packham, Vanessa Rowlands, Laura Richardson. They were all the ones to beat.

Butkin · 20/02/2012 21:31

Semper, You'd have been riding about the same time as Christina Gillet - one of the people who helps us with show production now (same age as you).

Oliver Hood would have been on ponies as was Yasmin Cuddy (whose family sponsored the in-hand championship). Do you remember Haydn Hankey and his sister Hayley?

Aly Rowell was riding Lechlade Mistletoe and she is now a racing journalist and TV presenter.

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