DD first show at the weekend

[awesomeness]

As the title says.....

Im in bits, ive never done anything like this, im so anxious.

Any tips? Coz i honestly have no clue at all and on other horse forums everyone talks in codes i dont understand and i just want to curl up and cry

Apart from the complete obvious....tack....pony...child....is there anything else i really shouldnt forget?

Or anything we should do in preparation?

Im not even sure what class she will do im guessing lead rein...

Omg someone calm me down

Us too - it's tomorrow - that's why I'm on here right now - we're just aiming for fancy dress and adding mud to the pony as part of it so no need to spruce up. And I've just found that my husband is working tomorrow too, so I'll be going alone - well with pony & child.

I'm taking everything. The whole lot - pony, tack, all the spare tack that we possess, spare anything else, and the fancy dress costume, and money to pay for the class - £10 !!!!!!

I haven't been to a horse show for over 30 years, and it was all a lot more basic then - kids on fat hairy ponies having fun, now it seems to be all showing and obsessing over 5cm jump height increments.

I'm assuming that the passport should travel with us? Do we need insurance documents or anything?

If it's just a local show you need tack, riders equipment, water for pony, any last minute tart up pony bits, treats. Are you hacking there or travelling? What classes are you doing

We never travel with pony's passport. Should we?

Is pony a good loader? Take lots of treats just in case it decides it doesn't want to come home - I speak from experience 🙈 Full haynet. Daughter could wear joggers over her (white?) jods to save them getting dirty before her class. Grooming kit.

And good luck and have fun!

Ive been told to put a onsie over her jods haha.

Luckly the girl who owns the pony (hes a loan)is coming with us, and hes an epic pony, he loads amazing.

Its only a small local show, but im in the middle of horsey country.....they can be so so competitive (parents not children)

I have social anxiety too and anxiety in general so its a huge thing, im more worried about messing up or forgetting something and letting her down :(

I think were just gonna start with the one lead rein class, then she can watch the more experienced older girls after

Are you leading?

GorranYou should always have the passport with the pony, we've had random checks done before. Also if you break down then a recovery service won't transport pony without it.
My advice would be to find out what time you class is on so you can give yourself plenty time to get entered, tacked up, all tidied up, warmed up etc. Have a good look at the schedule and decide what you're doing so you'll all know what the plan is and can prepare any show you need to do etc.
Take plenty hay in case your hanging about for a while. What breed is pony? Will you need to plait up?
Be organised, make sure everything is as clean as possible, pony, tack, child, and have fun If it's LR you'll need to be dressed too!

Im not leading, thank god!

The ponies owners offered to do it.

Hes a very fine section A, so no clue what im supposed to do with him.

I just keep remembering random things like hair bows......jod clips.

Im gonna be a wreck by sunday

OK it will all be fine!! How old is your DD? I presume from what you say she's young if still on the lead rein.

Here are the basics.. Your DD will need a velvet cover on her helmet if she had a normal crash hat. She'll wear a shirt and tie with a tweed jacket. She should wear cream/pale jods with elastic or jod clips and brown joddy boots. If you've some elastic for the number then take it but if not they should have some tape for to you use. The number is tied around the riders waist (presuming you're not in Ireland!).

The leader will wear a tweed jacket and hat with smart trousers, jods, dress or culottes. The pony will be led with a leather leading rein and the leader should carry a show cane.

The pony should just be neat and tidy. Find out from the schedule if you're doing a Mountain and Moorland Leading rein class (this would be ideal for a Section A). That way you don't have to plait.. It should have a plain leather bridle (preferably brown) and no bling brow band if a Section A.. Her usual saddle will be fine..

The leader should know what to do but FYI this is what will happen. They will all go in on the right rein and leave plenty of room between ponies. After a lap or two at walk the steward will stop you in a corner and get you to trot, one at a time, from the front of the ride to the back. Stop before you reach the end of the line and both leader and rider a quick salute/bow to the judge.

You'll then be called into a line (or possibly a tentative order) and asked to go out and do a show. This will involve standing up for the judge whilst then exam you and then normally you'd walk away and trot back and the trot a figure of 8 before walking back towards the judge and stopping for a salute/bow.

You'll go back into line and when everybody has finished their shows you'll walk around in a circle and get called in for the prize giving. Rosettes are tied onto the elastic or tape around the riders tummy. Much better than trying to attach it to the bridle which may upset the pony.

if you've any other questions let us know..

Enjoy and let us know how you get on !!

Anxiety and shows don't mix!

Take every possible thing you can think of. And then everything else.

And extra grips, baby wipes, wet weather clothing, extra wet weather clothes and take lots of photos.

You'll love it.

Exactly what Butkin has said! If she's showing in an M&M class then only very descreet hair bows if any. You want smart but workman like. It'll be great, nothing better than pony showing

I forgot to mention that your DD should wear gloves - ideally brown but any plain dark colour will be fine..

As a LR jockey she shouldn't carry a whip or cane herself..

The next step up would be First Ridden classes where she rides the class herself. This would be for competent young people from about 6-10..

Thank you butkin!!!

I reckon were pretty much sorted buy the sounds of it

Ive started a bag together of bits like safety pins, spare ribbons, some hair stuff for taming hair (dds hair is crazy) wet wipes etc

Dd is 8 so quite a bit older than most prob, but shes only been riding 18 months and with her pony just over a year, thanks for all the advice.

I just need to calm down i think

Not sure of your local schedule (see if they put age restrictions in) but in affiliated showing you can ride M&Ms on the Lead rein as long as you are not 9 on 1st January..

Already confirmed shes under 10 so fine

Gonna email them just to double check tho so it isnt playing on my mind 🤣

Is it tomorrow or Sunday? Hope all goes well.

Hi ladies! Thought id give you and update! Its was only a local show but she placed every time!

1st in LR show jumping!!! First class she did and she only did her first course yesterday! She'd only been popping the odd one jump at a time months ago as she'd had a confidence wobble few weeks back and nearly quid after been thrown a few times. We didnt do lead rein ridden as we initially thought she was too old, then when we asked the man in charge, no shes fine for this season, so next month there will be lead rein ridden, i think the showing bug has bitten her.

The rest were 1st for best trot, 3rd for best tail, 3rd for bonny pony and 4th for best figure 8! So only small things (but a lot of them in some of those classes) but to a kid who was planning on giving up and had no confidence a few weeks back there a huge thing for her first show. So proud of her!!!

Well done - those classes sound great too and a really good way of getting and keeping children involved.

Their a very inclusive riding club, they have the higher level show jumpers and the dressage was the day before.

But their very good about keeping the kids happy and very open to new people. We'll almost certainly be going again, least i wont be as nervous and worried next time!

And the brew van......had home made cakes....

Well done Awesomess - sounds as if she had a great day out!