Winning in hand
In Hand Showing is an art, your horse and you must be well presented and well prepared for the class. I have spoken to top showing professionals the Harrison Team to bring you some top tips on how to be successful in In Hand classes.
Before you even think about going to a show, make sure that you have practised your in-hand show at home so that your horse or pony knows what he will be expected to do. The in hand class starts with all the competitors walking around the ring, then each will be requested to trot along one side of the ring so that the judge can see the animal move. Once the animals are lined up each will be asked to do an individual display which usually involves walking away from the judge, then trotting back towards the judge in a straight line and round the back of the line-up into line.
Make sure that your horse or pony leads correctly; it doesn’t look good if you are dragging him along, or if he is dragging you! Aim for a nice bouncy rhythm, practise keeping the same speed, don’t continually speed up and slow down, this spoils the look of the horses movement. During your in-hand schooling make sure that you can turn your horse or pony easily in hand both at walk and trot. Top Tip; Get a friend to watch you and tell you when the pace looks good.
The stand up for the judge is important. Practise standing your horse to show him off at his best, front legs together, hind legs with one limb slightly behind the other. Keep his attention, he’ll need to look interested with his ears pricked, nothing looks worse than a pony standing in the ring with his nose poked out and ears flat back! Top tip; Make sure that you have something in your pocket for getting his attention, a rustly piece of paper works well.
Well before the show make sure that you have a nice quality in hand bridle that fits correctly. This needs to be clean and supple and usually has a leather lead rope. Top Tip; If you a showing a native pony check out the societies rules, for example it is usual to show Welsh Section A C and D fillies in a white webbing halter.
Your own attire should be neat and tidy. Wear either a hard hat or trilby, tie up long hair. A shirt tie and jacket with trousers and good shoes that you can run in are suitable for in hand classes. Top Tip; If you are showing a horse with dark legs try to avoid wearing dark trousers at this makes it difficult for the judge to see the horses movement
When you and your horse are ready, plan your shows carefully, make sure that schedules are obtained and entries sent in good time. Classes are usually divided into adult and young stock. There are often in-hand classes for native ponies, and a variety of other types of animals. Top Tip; Read the schedule thoroughly and make sure that you enter the correct class for your animal.
The day before the show your horse or pony will need to be prepared. The best way to get him looking his best is to bath him with a good quality shampoo, use mane and tail gloss on his mane, tail and coat. A fleece rug with wicking properties is ideal as an under a rug to dry him off, and we always use a hood as this keeps our horses clean and keeps manes laid on the correct side and free from shavings or straw. When tails are nearly dry plait them up overnight, this will give the tail a full look when brushed out the next day. Top Tip; We always use Elegance Shampoo and Elegance Coat Gloss & Detangler, it gives a great shine and our ponies always look immaculate.
Trimming and clipping can be done at the same time as bathing or a few days earlier. Correct trimming can enhance good points and will make your horse look tidy and well presented. Top tip; when showing natives make sure that you check out each of the breed society rules on trimming
On the day of the show make sure that you arrive in plenty of time. Take your horse or pony for a walk around then brush out his mane and tail, give him a brush over and apply coat gloss if needed. Before you go into the ring oil feet and apply a bit of baby oil around the eyes and muzzle, get a friend to give you a last minute brush over just before you go into the ring. Top tip: Always use thin black elastic for your number, string or raffia looks scruffy and amateurish
Once in the ring showmanship is important, you want the judge to see you so make sure that you keep a good distance between you and the other animals in the ring. Keep an eye on the judge so that you don’t miss your call in. Watch how other competitors do their show and make sure that you listen to the judge or stewards instructions. Concentrate on keeping your horses attention and make sure that whenever you are standing still that he is standing correctly. Top tip; During the class, look confident, stand up straight and don’t hurry your show, keep your eye on the judge whilst in the line up so that you can make sure that if he/she is looking in your direction that you and your horse are alert and well presented.
Good luck!
MUD FEVER
Left untreated it can cause bleeding, delays in healing and skin fissuring - which is extremely painful to the touch. Certain horses appear more susceptible than others: those with white skin, especially white legs and heavily feathered legs tend to be more prone.
Horses that spend a prolonged amount of time outside in wet and muddy conditions are more susceptible to Mud Fever than those which are regularly stabled, although contaminated, dirty brushing and over-reach boots can trigger symptoms.
As always, prevention is better than cure and various measures can be taken to try and avoid the onset of Mud Fever.
