We have our first show next Sunday,any tips please?

[Mirage]

As above,we have our first show next Sunday and the DDs have been looking forward to it since we went when still ponyless last year.Because they've waited so long,I really want them to enjoy it and have fun,so if anyone has any tips on getting myself organised,or turnout,anything at all,please could you post them?

DD1 [8] is doing First Ridden,Family pony,minimus jumping,fancy dress and veteran classes,her pony is a 22 year old section B mare,who is grey.

DD2 [7] is taking her Section A gelding,who is 10 and also grey.,and is doing lead rein and fancy dress.I plan on bathing both of them the day before and he can be stabled overnight.She will not go in a stable,so may have to rug and bandage her to keep her clean,as she is a pig for rolling.He will be unplaited,but I'll plait the mare as she has a short mane and looks smarter like that.I checked the photos of last year and the majority of natives were plaited.

Neither ponies are registered so they are only fun classes,but it would make their day if they came home with a rosette,so I'm sitting here sewing elastic onto jodhpurs and racking my brain trying to think of what else I need to do.

Thank you!

See the show checklist thread down the page a bit.

We had our first today- I think you commented? We had a great day, but it was tiring. I'm glad we only went in two classes. We had to hack there and back(well I walked), and it was an hour each way, so we were quite tired and warm by the time we got there. Plenty of cash for refreshments, I think is essential, to keep your energy levels up. We wanted to go in the mountain and moorland class, but because we hacked there, I didn't think we'd look spick and span enough. Some of the natives were plaited at this show as well, and were in the top three in their class, so not sure what is best for a small show. Our pony wasn't plaited, so wonder if she would have stood a chance. They didn't seem to be too bothered by the rules, as I thought natives weren't plaited. Do you have transport? That is next on my list- a trailer would make things so much easier! Try and enjoy it I suppose, is the best advice, but it is lovely when they get a rosette, even if only fourth for prettiest pony!

Make sure you have plenty of wine in stock for when you get home!

Thankyou,all.

*Trebles,how did you do yesterday? We didn't make it due to various factors.I'll make sure that we have wine in,poor DH is that our first class is at 9am.

molliemol yes,I have transport,I was lucky enough to buy a very old IW trailer last winter,but have only taken it out half a dozen times since,due to bad weather/ill dds/events being cancelled.I'm quite dreading the lead rein class as I've no idea what I'm doing and absolutely hate people looking at me,I go to pieces if someone watches me when I'm trying to do something.

My lovely neighbour used to show Welshies and gave me some tips tonight,but he has made me more anxious with all the stuff I have to remember.

Our show on Sunday was cancelled due to the wet ground. Fingers crossed for you for Sunday, where are you going?

Oh no!

We are going to Blaston,this side of Market Harborough.We went last year just as spectators and the girls have been looking forward to going with ponies ever since.It is a really nice country show with the emphasis on horse/pony classes.I hope it isn't cancelled but the weather after tomorrow doesn't look too good.

Hopefully,if Sunday goes ok,we'll be going to Sewstern and Buckminster horse show on 15th July,that is a lovely one,with gymkhana games ect.