Start of Season Advice - add your own

[Ambers Mum]

Remember every club is different, some shows favor jumping and only do BTO, Best Rider, Riding Club Horse or Pony, Handy Pony, Ridden Show pony etc

Before you decide what you would like to do make sure you know whats on offer! Also visit at least one show as a spectator so you can see whats expected.

Forums can only give general advice concerning 'which class' and 'standards' its always better to get out there and see for yourself.

Horse and Hound offers a few Show editions with local show dates so find out when they are and buy them, send for as many schedules as possible and see where you can fit in. Remember only you know what you are really capable of.

Good luck to all the new showing peeps! It can be fun and you may suprise yourself if you choose the right show and classes.

[Catg]

Try a new instructor!

Even if you really like the person you are using, I had to change last year as I had no choice and have learned a huge amount, not that the second person knew more but they had a different way of teaching and it also opened up lots of other opportunities x

[Twizzel]

Try a new instructor!



Second this, and if you really want to show seriously find an instructor who has experience showing. We changed from a dressage instructor to an instructor who has had years of experience both competing at top level i.e. hoys, and judging (he actually judged a workers class Max and I won last season)... knows all the tricks of the trade and how to show your horse in the best possible light which you wouldn't get from a dressage trainer.

[rowy]

look on "riding diary" "equestrian tourism" and your local livery yards and show centre websites when looking for shows. if you google "livery" or "horse" on google maps then look in your area you will see all the show centres etc and how far away they are from you.

Get everything ready the night before!

also some little tips for when ur in the show ring:
go behind a horse which is a dif colour to urs to make ur horse stand out
if your horse is black/ dark bay then wear tweed as it makes you stand out more.

Also have a practise of plaiting lots before. Jusdges LOVE backwards plait on tails (french plait but plait so the strand is going behind the other strands if that makes sense. makes the centre plait stick out a little froe rest of the tail ! but its quite tricky so have a go before

[Twizzel]

if your horse is black/ dark bay then wear tweed as it makes you stand out more.


Yes but depends what class you're riding in as to whether you wear tweed or plain jacket.

Also have a practise of plaiting lots before. Jusdges LOVE backwards plait on tails (french plait but plait so the strand is going behind the other strands if that makes sense. makes the centre plait stick out a little froe rest of the tail ! but its quite tricky so have a go before

I was under the impression it's more correct now to show with plaited manes and pulled tails.

[chance encounter]

Preparation is the key. Get yourself a year planner and fill in all your show dates so that you know what you've got and when. Different coloured pen when there is a closing date for entries. If you go on the Horslyx web site they are giving planners away for free Ive already got one and mine is about filled for my showing dates this season, lol!!!

Have an A4 ring binder with clear plastic sheets in it and keep your schedules in there. If you dont have a Sat Nav go on to the AA and print off your directions and put them in as well. When your back number, parking cards and things come through the post put them in with the schedule and keep it in your lorry then you dont forget anything.

[BEX101]

Crikey! Is it that time of year already???!!!!

[chance encounter]

It comes round all too quickly. I've just finished writing my show schedule, dates and sorting out all the qualifiers for the show I run.

My first show this year with the mini's will be 13th February and they will have done four indoor shows before Darli does his first one on the 10th April. Trying to get her out before the show season really starts as we may sell her May time.