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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

M&M lead rein class help!

19 replies

Orlandointhewilderness · 03/07/2018 23:50

Hi all

DD (6) has a lovely 12.2 chestnut welsh sec C. she is still on lead rein but would like to do a few local shows. I have no idea about showing LR classes however, I'm au fait with ridden large breed classes but have avoided this so far! What is correct dress for leader?! I'm assuming rider is in ratcatcher with usual simple tack.

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BaldricksWife · 04/07/2018 10:20

It depends on how far you want to take it! There are some lovely outfits out there costing hundreds of pounds but it is perfectly easy to keep it simple with either a waistcoat over a blouse, or a matching tweedy or brown jacket coupled with skirt or cropped trousers. A smart hat will complete the ensemble. If you get the bug and decide to step up to affiliated the height limit on LR is 122cm- hope you and your DD enjoy it.

BaldricksWife · 04/07/2018 10:23

Just to add, another option which is inexpensive and effective, is a smart cardigan over a blouse- seen this at top level both M&M and SP LR and can look really chic!

Orlandointhewilderness · 04/07/2018 11:04

Cheers baldrick! It's a whole new world! Ohh not sure if I can run in a skirt! What shoes do you wear!?! Daft question possibly!

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Pebblespony · 04/07/2018 11:11

I've seen a lot of people wear those Dubarry boots in LR classes recently. I only go to local shows here though which are under Irish Pony Soc rules.

Eve · 04/07/2018 11:19

.. what level of show is it? If you are at aiming country level I think you need to invest in quite an outfit, though quite a few on ebay.

Local show - a neat and tidy outfit with smart chinos and a blouse, with matching hat and gloves is acceptable. Nice if you can match your colours to childs tie/ scrunchie. Ratcatcher is fine , but they usually have a smart tie and hair bows and matching browband.

Have fun - mine always thought showing was far too boring.

Most seem to wear country boots or jod boots with trousers.

Butkin1 · 04/07/2018 11:48

As Baldrickswife says your pony would be too big for affiliated M&M Lead Rein classes - maximum height is 122cm (12 hands). He would be fine once you get into First Riddens (if 128cm) although a Section C would tend to look quite big compared to the normal ponies for those classes - As, (possibly Bs), Dartmoors and shetlands.

For local shows you'd just need to read the schedule to see if there is a height restriction.

You'd try and both wear tweed - most people have matching at affiliated shows but that is not necessary at all when you start off.

Brown tack and a plain browband for a M&M (sometimes referred to as a Heritage in schedules).

You'd have a leather leading rein which you attach to the ponies noseband. Ideally you'd carry a show cane or short simple whip if that is all you have.

Simple shoes with minimal heels that you can run in would be order of the day for this time of year. I know that lots of ladies wear boots in Spring and Autumn.

In the class itself you will all walk around on the left rein to start with. A steward will then stop you and ask you to trot to the back of the class down the long side in front of the judge. Stop before you get to the last pony and both bow.

You will be then be lined up (perhaps in order but not always) and expected to do a short show. This will normally consist of standing up for the judge and walking away with a trot figure of 8 and nice halt and joint bow.

Ideally the pony will be going on the bit and the child doing the steering but to be honest just go out and have fun !! Let us know how you get on..

Orlandointhewilderness · 04/07/2018 12:09

Not affiliated - no thank you!!
Re hair bows etc, I was rather assuming that was not the done thing for natives! I thought turnout would be pretty much as affiliated breed classes ie workmanlike and neat but not flashy?

Only local level, but I am a stickler for correct turnout! Years of being a Hunt groom!

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Orlandointhewilderness · 04/07/2018 12:12

Thank you butkin that's what I was thinking.
Yes he has previously done very well in FR classes and I suppose he isn't any bigger than an up to height dartie/exmoor.

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Eve · 04/07/2018 12:22

ah yes - overlooked the M&M - plain browband!

though still get the hairbows with M&M

Butkin1 · 04/07/2018 12:29

Yes M&Ms are more tweedy and restrained than LR/FR Show ponies (which are all blue).

The jockeys hair should be neat and whilst many wear a bun/hair net a matching scrunchy / tie combo should be fine. I'd keep the hair up though - not that keen on long plaits. Our DD used to wear her hair in a "shirley temple" ie plaits that are tied up into bunches.

I'm a little surprised that you seem dismissive of affiliated showing. I wonder what puts you off doing this rather just local fun shows?

Orlandointhewilderness · 04/07/2018 12:41

Butkin Thats actually a fair question and I was being hasty dismissing it out of hand! I've done a fair bit of affiliated - Ridden Ds, hunter and workers - and tbh it was the thought of standing in a ring for hours! and some of the parents look a bit scary in pony showing lol, they get awfully serious about it!

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Orlandointhewilderness · 04/07/2018 12:49

Gratuitous pony pics...

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Pebblespony · 04/07/2018 12:52

He's lovely.
I know what you mean about scary, serious parents. I steward sometimes and LR are always the most hassle. Thank God they come early in the day before tempers get frayed.

Butkin1 · 04/07/2018 13:01

Some fun pics - thanks for sharing.

I understand what you're saying but actually feel the opposite.

When we first started showing DD and her ponies we didn't like supposedly fun shows. We found they dragged on because there were no set "not before" times and everybody seemed to want to be there for the whole day. The classes are often huge and with seemingly little need to keep to time. Then in the classes the judges sometimes didn't really know what they were looking at so judged them as a form of best turned out class, often won by the people the judge knew or had heard of.

In contrast affiliated showing (such as BSPS, PUK, Equifest and NPS) classes tend to be at specific times and are run efficiently with good stewards and judges that are experts in their field.

The children doing affiliated showing (especially if they join the BSPS for example) see each other at all the various shows and make good friends often enhanced by parties given for the membership by the local areas. They often qualify for the Championship shows. They are, up to, week long pony extravaganzas with all sorts of classes to suit all types and abilities and entertainment for the children.

Yes the standard is higher but then that encourages you to try some of the tips you will pick up along the way. We started from scratch and soon learned the best ways to present our ponies.

Hopefully if you start local your DD will want to take it to the next level!

Orlandointhewilderness · 04/07/2018 13:05

we'll see how we go butkin! it sounds like chaos. tbh I've not done a huge amount of local unaffiliated stuff, just the odd show to get the youngsters out, and you make a valid point! I used to LOVE PUK as a shild when it was at peterborough etc which is something you don't get with local ones i suppose. Plus i always wanted to do the evening bit and get to gallop across the arena in a spotlight to 'we are the champions'! Never managed it mind!

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Orlandointhewilderness · 04/07/2018 13:06

pony pants is very VERY grubby in pics!! he does scrub up quite nicely lol!

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Eve · 04/07/2018 21:30

Pony pants is very lovely and your daughter has a lovely position.

Orlandointhewilderness · 04/07/2018 21:34

aw thanks eve! bless her, she came off for the first time tonight. bloomin bird was lurking in the grass and exploded under ponies hooves and he shot sideways. she is ok, bruised though bless her but got back on and went to bed cheerful.

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Eve · 05/07/2018 08:06

Oh bless , DS did some schooling last night then out for s gallop round the fields ( he has a tb that has a go fast button ). , birds, deer, rabbits no problem - some plastic left in field from the hay baling.!!!

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