M&M lead rein outfit.

[IthinkIneedmorewine]

DD is wants to do a few local shows this year, so going to give M&M a go. At some of the shows I will be doing working hunter classes on my idiot. can I lead on jodhs, tweed jacket and long boots? What colour tweed would be usual for a palomino?

You need to put a call out for Butkin to come and advise, not only on what to wear but on how you "lead" the pony in the show ring.

My advice would be do not lead dressed in your jods and long boots, wear your tweed jacket and a beige pair of trousers. I think you may be surprised at the standard of turnout in lead rein classes at local level. Many producers use them to get their young ponies and/or riders ring experience. When my sister competed with my nephew she came up against ponies that had placed in HOYS qualifiers at Pony Club shows!
I believe brown is the correct colour for a palomino pony and always brown jodhpur boots in show classes.
Good Luck and hope that you both enjoy your shows.

Navy culottes with tweed jackets are popular, smart, practical (should you trip) and easy to use shoes/stockings or the Dubarry type boot dependent on weather or ground. Naice hat also dead cheap to source x

A skirt, jacket and hat combo is traditional, google lead rein outfit and click on images for some ideas.

That said, at very small local shows when I've been competing my idiot pony in ridden classes I have led in the lead rein class in my ridden attire.

They should be judging the pony on its suitability as a lead rein ride so as long as you are smart for small shows it shouldn't matter. That said, as pp pointed out, at some small shows the standard of turnout is very high.

If you're comfortable in your riding gear, just give it a go at the first one and you can see what its like for the next time.

Good luck and enjoy the shows

Thanks all. It's all a bit new to me, I need all the help I can get! Think I will get a skirt or culottes, and have a quick changeover in the trailer, keeping my jacket on, but maybe swap my tie for a scarf.
Am I right in thinking that a white girth is correct for a (pale) palomino?

I do have a long brown needlecord skirt. Suitable do you think?

Your skirt sounds ideal if it goes with the jacket you intend to wear and would go with dubarrys if you have them.
I personally would go with a brown girth not least because white girths are the very devil to clean after a wet, muddy day!
What lead rein do you have?

Thanks Gailforce although LR is beginning to be a distant memory!

We had a palomino LR when DD was little and what Baldrickswife said is correct. Go for a tweed jacket - ideally to compliment your DD's outfit - with a blue culottes or flowing skirt (the former are easier to run in) and a hat. Choice of boots/shoes and hat depend on the weather. You can't go wrong in Dubarry type boots and a wintery hat is preferable to a summer one with a M&M unless it's really hot. Try to avoid leading in your own riding gear unless timing is too tight. Some people do pop their culottes over their own jods..

Whilst we use a white girth on our bay show pony we've always used a brown girth on our palomino M&Ms (see photo) - seems more workmanlike.
Don't forget that M&Ms are not plaited which makes them such a popular choice!

Don't forget you'll need a plain brown show cane and a leather lead rein (never a rope one) which you attach to the noseband.

Ideally you'll have the cane and the end of the lead rein in your left hand which leaves your right hand free to balance your jockey if required. Of course ideally your jockey will be able to ride the pony independently - this gives the best impression because then they are steering it rather than you.

Children these days can use a strap but we never did because they discourage children from having independent hands and makes it a harder transition to first riddens.

One of the most important aspects is to try and make sure the pony will go on the bit with little effort from your jockey. Work on this at home - use side reins or get a teenager to school it if necessary.

Practise both parts of your show. In the trot round make sure you wait until the judge is ready to watch you and then do a smart trot and a positive (short) walk to halt. After making sure your pony is standing square count 1-2-3 with your DD and then salute together.

In your individual show work out a routine with your DD in advance. A basic figure 8 will be fine but she should know when you're going to trot and make sure she's balanced before you set off on your first turn. Make sure your DD knows how to get the right diagonal. Getting your pony listening to voice commands will make the job easier.

Let me know if you've any other questions and very best of luck for a fun time !!