are local shows anything to go by?

[geeup]

I can't help wondering why were going so wrong! I have had two ponies now one with county level off spring and one whos father was a British riding pony whos a national pony society registered stallion whos off spring span the wrold etc. and I know we havn't got a head carriage yet and shes not quite as forward going as my daughters a little nervous of the speed she can produce ( she has a famous racer in her), but she still is pretty and has a dreamy floaty action but we really do come nowhere, ever! So are local shows anything to go by, or does the dartmoor cross type that wins show pony, with a beautiful head carriage mind, mean we give up? What do judges really look for, is no head carriage unforgivable? Or is there more to it than that.

[magicgirl]

Local judges can have excellent experienced judges or the "the aunt of the chairmans next door neighbour" type of judge. Find someone in your area who shows at county level in the type of classes you are hoping to do and ask their opinion. Find some shows with PUK qualifers, enter see how you get on and ask the judge for advice when they have finished judging.

[cubic]

I agree with magicgirl, that the standard of judging at local shows is VERY variable. However if you're consistently getting placings lower than you think you deserve then it's definately worth taking a look at what could be preventing your pony from being further up the line.

How big is your pony and how old is your daughter? On smaller ponies/FR etc an outline is less important, but if she's older or the pony is bigger it will be expected, even at local level. Whatever is stopping you from winning, it's unlikely to be only one thing, usually it's a combination of things, from things that you can't change, like certain lumps and bumps through to way of going, which you can influence and everything in between.

You've already identified 2 things that you can work on, and they are both completely fixable with time - definately don't give up now. How is your daugher's turnout and showmanship? It sounds like you've got a nice pony (do you have a photo?) but good production is the key to turning a good pony into a winner.

[cubic]

I just wanted to add that at affiliated level performance is worth 60% of the marks, with conformation and type 40%.

[geeup]

thanks for the advice, if its 60% then I think we will concentrate on schooling this winter and try putting her into a good show next summer, she does have a few old fly lumps that the vet thinks are permenant and a few scratches due to sharing fields so looks like were entering for the fun. I think like showjumping there should be affilated and non allfiated classes as just found out that our local show has people who also do the top shows, seems unfair as our show isn't a qulaifier for anything. Migth switch classes to riding pony next year as pony has now learnt to jump.

[cubic]

It sounds like you've got a good plan there.

A few fly bites and scratches won't stop you competing even up to the highest levels, so don't let them limit you. Things like curbs and large scars will have more of an impact on placings.

Most local shows will have people from all levels competing at them, while it might sound unfair, people who do bigger shows often have young/naughty horses that they need to quieter competitions to practice with. Taking a 4yo to a county show as it's first show isn't sensible! Just like showjumping, showing has unaffilliated and affilliated classes, the local shows you have will be unaffilliated, at agricultural shows there will be a mixture of affiliated and unaf. and at county shows most classes will be affiliated. Just like in showjumping, even if you compete in affilliated classes you can also enter unaf. classes. Obviously "pothunters" aren't liked, but your aim should be to beat them and not be put off by them (they are definately beatable!)

Good luck next season.

[geeup]

thanks cubic, will go practise and bug you like mad for advice next year!