First time dd7 entering a (online show)

[Hedgyhoggy]

It’s a long, long time since I’ve done any showing so bear with the me if these questions are a little obvious. With in hand classes where should you attach the lead rein? Usually clipped on head collar under bridle but that’s not going to look very showy. I haven’t bought her a jacket yet. Do you buy one big enough that it fits over a body protector (if so how do you size this?). Hacking jacket or black jacket (she has a Welsh sec A so completing moorland classes. Do I give her a go in the best turned out even though pony won’t be plaited? What the heck do I wear? Do not want to be forking out a load of money. I have many happy memories of attending the local shows when I was growing up I want her and her rather inexperienced pony to get the best out of it. Anything else I might have forgotten!? TIA

I've never heard of online showing, is it like dressage anywhere where you upload a video of you to a judging panel?

For formal showing, the lead rein should be attached to the noseband, although if you are worried about having sufficient control over pony/safety then you could also loop through the bit and clip onto far side?

In 'proper' showing the kids don't wear body protectors but if she normally wears one then I'd fit the jacket under the body protector as wearing a jacket over the top will probably look quite bulky and weird (although if you buy her one big enough to wear over the body protector I guess it will be longer before she grows out of it!). It should absolutely be tweed for m&m showing. You should be smartly turned out to complement the rider turnout, so at a high level it would be a tweed jacket to match DDs, collared shirt, discrete hat and skirt or tailored trousers in a contrast colour to the pony's legs (so black/brown/navy if white legs, beige/cream if dark legs). Usually flat shoes like polished leather brogues to run in. Google horse of the year show for inspiration! But as you say this is just a fun show, I'd say wear whatever you can find which is smart... Why not enter as many classes as you can, never too early to start her on having fun competing but with the aim of doing her best and enjoying the process rather than expecting to win, there will usually be someone prepared to spend more money but so long as she has fun and learns something that's the main thing! Get her to focus on riding her show as well as possible as that's the bit she is really in control of (as opposed to how fancily she is dressed) good luck!

M&M ponies are always turned out unplaited and untrimmed although a bit of discreet tidying of manes and tails is fine. Tack for M&M needs to be brown and plain and lead rein ponies should be in a snaffle. Try to avoid rubber reins. Any numnah should be the same colour as the tack and very close fitting so as little shows under the saddle as possible. DD will need gloves (I think navy is correct for showing) and collared (yellow) shirt and tie. If you don't want to shell out on an expensive "showing shirt" see if you can buy a very cheap 100% cotton shirt from somewhere like B&M and wash it with a handful of very cheap, brand new, yellow dusters. Works a treat for an instant yellow show shirt!

Pony and tack need to be gleaming. Hooves oiled. Mane and tail brushed to within an inch of their lives! DD's hair should be tied back and preferably off her collar (scrunchie to match her tie is a nice touch).

Judges at this level will I think be more impressed by a calm, well behaved pony who is moving freely and correctly than absolutely correct turn-out, but they will also be impressed if you have obviously made the effort to turn out to as high a standard as you can.

Good luck!

Brown tack, snaffle bit, leather lead rein which must be attached to the noseband. Pony unplaited, trim whiskers and jawline. Mane should be trimmed to about 6", forelock long. Jockey - brown boots, canary jods, smart tie, tweed jacket and contrasting shirt not white, brown gloves, navy hat. Leader - hat eg baker boy, flat cap etc nothing flashy, smart outfit eg navy pants/long skirt, tweed jacket, brown gloves

Body protectors are a no go in showing as the pony should be safe and mannerly, if the child needs a body protector it implies the pony is not safe. They are acceptable for jumping but that is personal preference so if you want to use one then do it as it is safety