Showing shetland in hand

[eveadel]

HELP.

I dont know where to start so many questions.

1. What should I wear? Im 33.
2. What type of tack should he wear?
3. Any showing tips i.e presentation of pony.
4. What classes would I put him in?
5. What will be required of me i.e. do I walk him round in circles, trot, etc

As you will notice Im a complete novice..

[amelia]

ooh PM Varkie she'll be able to help you i'm sure

[cubic]

I've never shown shetlands, but this will give you a good guide (it talks about affiliated showing, but unafiliiated will be very similar) www.shetlandponystudbooksociety.co.uk/shows/guidelines.aspx

In inhand classes all the exhibitors walk around the ring on the right rein (with you on the pony's near side) while the judge and steward stand in the middle. After several laps the steward will stop all the ponies in one corner and ask you to trot in turn to the back of the "queue". You then all walk round again and will be pulled in to line. Once pulled in to line, each person will be asked out individually, you should stand your pony at right angles to the ponies in the line up, stand infront of your pony and make sure he is standing well (no resting/crossed legs etc). When the judge asks, you should walk a good distance away from the judge, turn the pony away from you and trot back directly towards the judge (he or she should step out of the way), and trot right round the back of the line up to your place in line.

It's probably best if you can go to a show to watch the classes before you take your pony so you're more familliar with what goes on - it'll help with the nerves! As long as you do your best and enjoy yourself that's what matters

If he's registered (or sometimes unregistered at very small shows) you can do inhand mountain and moorland classes (some are split into large and small breeds), best conditioned, thelwell type, novelty classes and some shows have classes for certain age ranges of pony.

[eveadel]

Ah thanks girls.

I will also pm Varkie

[cosmo]

I wear black cords, shirt and tie and either a hacking jacket or waistcoat when I show my little one, plus a 'cowboy' hat type thing rather than ariding hat.

For the pony, either a leather headcollar / filly slip if he's a gelding and doesn't require bitting or an in hand bridle.

In terms of turnout for the pony, keep him as natural as possible. Although I was told by a shetland judge at a show last year to tim his ears and jaw line to neaten the overall appearance. Just make sure he's nice and clean. The picture below shows what I usually wear (it was before I nfound my cowboy hat tho!)



Classes he can enter will depend on the individual show. At my local riding club I usually do the mountain and moorlands, coloured and open pony. You could also do youngstock / veteran if he falls into these age groups. At affiliated shows, there will be specific shetland classes for his sex / age group. Usually mares and geldings are judged together but sometimes it can be geldings and stallions. Alot of affiliated shows also run a coloured shetland class which is basically open to shetlands of any colour other than black.

There is a shetland pony forum which is great, they have a showing section so you'll find loads more info on there
www.shetlandponyweb.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=79

You'll have great fun - good luck!

[eveadel]

Thanks for you advice Nic B.

What level to you show at?

You look very smart.

[eveadel]

Also what type of waistcoat do you wear, is it tweed?

[cosmo]

Hi eveadel,
I've started taking him to a few affiliated level shows. I thought they'd be really daunting but they're not that bad really. The ones near us are quite low key and to be honest its worth entering just to get the passes as they're usually a great day out! The get judged fairer aswell, as they are up against their own type, where as at riding club shows the M&M classes will consist of big welsh cobs, highlands and fells etc.

The waistcoat was an ebay bargain! It is wool with a silk type back. To be honest as long as its smart it doesn't really matter.