It's show time!!

[BobbinUp]

Just to update from my thread about starting showing a few weeks ago its now day -1 and I will be spending much if the day trying to get her to look as fabulous as possible! We are entering a cob class and coloured (which is a CHAPS) qualifier but are def just going for the experience. I have the suggested red tie and a navy tweed which fits like a dream.

As a practice I entered show cob at my local riding club show a couple of weeks ago and came 1st!! Admittedly out of one, but hey you have to be in it to win it . The judge was really good though and gave me loads of feedback and suggestions for the future tho.

Dd has also decided after the other week that she wants to ride so borrowed Shetland and a fancy dress outfit and we are good to go! She is probably our best chance of a rosette sadly..

Thanks again to those that offered advice, I will update tomorrow.

Looking forward to hearing how you got on !

Uh oh.lets just say it didn't go as planned. Judge hated us! We came last in one and second from last in the other. Poor dmare she looked a million dollars (in our eyes!) and did us proud but it was a shocker. Interesting tho the last three in my class were all in snaffles as opposed to Pelham winched in or double. Also I can't cope with the show pressure there were horses cutting everywhere! I thought you were supposed to try and keep in order not just go wherever you fancied?.. Being cantered past on the inside was something if a surprise!

I think that may have been the end of our showing career! Definitely not our discipline!

On the upside dd came 3rd in the fancy dress so has a lovely rosette and enough cash for ice cream for her and her brother!

Thanks again for advice but I am officially rubbish at showing!

At least DD had a good day - well done with their placing!

Did you have the same judge for both your classes? Did he/she make any suggestions to you afterwards?

I'd always show a cob in a Pelham or double (I always used the latter) but you should be able to use a snaffle in a novice class or at local level. She would need to go on the bit at all times though.

Showing is all about making plenty of space for your self so you can show your animal's paces off. The golden rule is you should never overtake in front of the judge but behind the judge you can overtake, cut corners, turn a circle or whatever is required to find some space.

Certainly if the animal is going too slowly then you should overtake them (including at the canter) but you should always maintain the same relaxed rhythm and keep to the outside track where possible, especially in front of the judge, otherwise it can look as if you're out of control.

Watch your steward carefully and when they go out to ask for a change of rein start to trot immediately so that you can gather her up, turn nicely and trot impressively across the diagonal and then strike off into the other canter as soon as you hit the track.

Why not have another go - practise makes perfect!