Showing for Dummies

[Ivanka]

In preparation for the Samford Show (and the Dayboro Show) our group organised a "showing for Dummie" workshop today.

It was so much fun! There was a judge to tell us all about hacking and lead-classes and what the difference is between dressage and showing.

We did the little workouts an basicaly followed the whole procedure like it's done at the shows.

We had a group of dressage riders together on our very first venture into the showing thing... it was just fun!

Does anybody else have experience with showing and good tips for us 'dummies'??

[mig]

sorry about a late reply! (finally had time to cruise around the site)

i haven't done a great deal of showing, but the main thing i've learnt is not to worry too much about not getting called in. showing is quite 'shallow' (for want of a better word) and if the judge doesn't like finer horses/grey horses/ thicker horses/ bay horses.... you can usually tell after a couple of classes whether its going to be your day or not.

so just focus on yourself and your horse, and enjoy the outing... but that can be said for any aspect of riding really!

**i should probably mention for the sake of the more professional hack judges out there that i am talking about smaller local shows, with less experienced judges who just want to get thru the day quicker!!**

[Ivanka]

so just focus on yourself and your horse, and enjoy the outing... but that can be said for any aspect of riding really!



And that is exactly what I did!! We had soooo much fun! My boy is only 3 years old and it was his very first outing.
He was very good, not frazzled or anything... just took it all in! (and we even got a few ribbons!!)

I thought it would be a good opportunity to prepare him for the dressage comps next year....

[mig]

Congrats Ivanka! I definetly agree that hack shows are a good 'taste' of atmosphere for the horses. For a 3 yo, thats a great achievement :)