Brisco may become a show horse - NEED HELP!!

[BriscoMomma]

A local stable that does a few "casual" shows a year is considering having an "in hand" class for Retired Racehorses in one of their shows this year. They normally have Retired Racehorse classes, but haven't had any "in hand" thus far. The powers that be are even going to see what they can do about having a class for "Tricks In Hand". (Does it seem to you that they have a certain bowling-piano playing-horn honking-kiss giving fella in mind?? Promotion of "Life After Racing" is a big part of goings-on with this group, and Brisco could be a poster child for the High Maintenance Lawn Ornament.

Soooo.... considering that I've never been to any type of horse show in my LIFE, what the heck would we have to do for your typical "in hand" class? What would we need to practice? Someone clue me in!! (and please tell me I don't have to jog around like those people at the dog shows - I hope they do this AFTER I get "fit" walking horses after the meet starts up! *puff* *puff* *wheeeeeeeezzzzzzzze*)

[LynnC]

Hey Keely!! I don't show either, so I don't have any show advice. But......it sounds like it will be a blast and can really promote exracers!!!!! Good luck to you and Brisco ;D

[Lynne]

That is so exciting!!! Can't wait until it is really happening ;D

I'd love to offer show advice but I haven't got a clue. It seems to me that in the "in hand" classes they have to lead at walk and trot, stop, turn, stand still etc. but you don't have to dance?


Good luck!!!!! When is this upcoming event?

Lynne

[CC]

It depends on what kind of "in-hand" class they will be doing.

I'm guessing it won't be modeled after a dressage suitibility class so I'll try to explain showmanship and hunter in hand classes. Maybe it will be a combination of the 2??

Hunter in hand judges comformation and suitibility to become a show hunter. So yes, you will probably all line up and one horse at a time will probably walk away from the judge and trot back past him so he/she can evaluate gait and way of moving. The judge will probably also go to each horse in line and walk around them to evaluate conformation.

In showmanship, the same format is used but the handler is judged as well as how the horse is presented (grooming etc.). Conformation is not usually taken into consideration (I won 4-H showmanship classes with a cow-hocked, rat-tailed Appie!).

In both types of classes, the manners of the horse come into play mainly because it is hard to judge a horse who won't stand still!

There is also a way to stand to present your horse. When the judge is walking around him to evaluate, you will move to whichever side the judge is not on. So your horse has to get used to you switching back and forth in front of him without walking off. This is done so the judge can have an uninterupted view of your horse. In hunter in hand classes, I *believe* the horses are stood square so all 4 legs are even. But I may be wrong about that!

When you lead your horse, the judge will probably be at the far end of the ring. Walk or trot a straight line directly to him with your horse on a loose line. Many times the judge will step out of the way so he can evaluate the horse as it trots past. If he doesn't, turn the horse so that the horse is between you and the judge. Actually, that is one rule that I had been taught to keep in mind for all in-hand showing: try to keep the horse between the judge and you.

Oh, and don't wory about knowing exactly what the judge wants done. Someone will tell the competitors either before the class or before everyone trots what the judge wants.

Dress: depends on the show; can be English show hunter dress or casual like a colored polo with khakis and paddock boots.

Hope this helps and doesn't confuse!!

[Paula]

That is so cool Keely!!!

Showing in hand can be fun when done correctly. From what I remember when you present to the judge, you put the horse in the "open" conformation stand. In other words, you stand them up with the front leg nearest to the judge slightly in front and the hind leg on the same side slightly back (but than again, you know that). The judge will than look at the horses conformation. Than when asked you will than trot the horse away from the judge and follow any other furter instruction that they may give to you.

It is fun and in fact, my horse will be entering the show ring this year as well. It will be a welcome change.

[ZenRider]

Of course we already knew that. You are definitely a shoe in for the Tricks In Hand class. :neens:

[niaru]

I have no clue about in-hand classes tho...except that you'll probably HAVE to run at some point

Sounds like FUN!

[Linda]

This sounds like fun! Your halter and lead need to be well-fitted and of a color that will set of Brisco's head beautifully. It does not need to be covered with silver. You need to wear clothing that is neat, clean (an oxymoron around horses), appropriate and that complements Brisco (should be pretty easy since he is a dark bay). Probably the hardest part will be to teach him to stand perfectly still will all the action going on around him. You can quickly clicker-train him to stand up square and freeze--shouldn't be a problem for this guy at all. Are you going to teach him to bow for the judge? You are going to have to remember to relax so Brisco can relax and stay focused. I suspect that is going to be the hardest part.

I would try to get him to a show previous to the one he will participate in. Just let him stand around, eat some grass, and otherwise chill out. Being used to going RACING whenever he is taken someplace with other horses, it may well take him a while to settle down and relax. Remember the problem you had when you wrapped his legs to keep flies off when Mitch was going to do his feet?
Linda

[GD]

Yes yes all the above plus may I add, Leather halter and lead 3/4 inch. a nice dark mahagonny color should go nicely. And I think he should be braided both mane and tail w/ yarn to match him , hoof polish but no sparkley stuff. a little vasoline to polish his nose and inner nostrals and above the eyes ( that's from the arabian world I believe) the Miss America pagent women use it on thier teeth although I don't know why . Clip nose wiskers and bridle path , fetlocks and any other long wiskers like under the chin BUT NOT BY THE EYES they stay . Um I would dress conservatively to match and compliment Brisco's coloring, and make sure you are as tidy as he is. Braid your hair ( if long ) and wear gloves ( I think) Have someone video tape a couple practice sessions with you so you can see how you look together, go lite on your own makeup, and don't slouch. Ok can you remember all this, Oh yeah your supposed to look relaxed and comfortable, and do not run over the judge. The little girl who is coming with us has shown showmanship maybe she can give you some pointers. Although her pony did bite the judge See ya soon Grace

[Smay]

Her pony BIT the judge! HAHAHA Oh mi gosh, that is funny! ;D Keely, I've seen a couple of the exracehorse in-hand classes and they are similar to any showmanship class, minus any point deductions for race-related old injuries or whatever... like they don't take points off for pin fire marks, etc. They have a warhorse division at the All Thoroughred Charity Show, and it's only for horses that raced 100 times or won a $100K or both. The main thing to win those classe is obedience on the line, so Brisco will do fine. Just don't let him step on his leadrope! In the last STB in hand class I did, we walked into the arena up to the judge, stopped and posed. Then trotted away from the judge to the rail, then halted and walked around to the side and line up head to tail and waited for the judge to come walk all around us while we pivoted away from her line of vision. and the horse stood still and square! YAH RIGHT. I got fourth. Hmmmm need some work on my technique.

[Linda]

I didn't say that Brisco was a dark smushed banana.... I don't want Brisco to hop on a plane and come out here to get even with me!!!! Now I am going to be up ALL night worrying that Brisco will be on that first plane in the morning......... :horsie: Linda

[BriscoMomma]

I'm not cutting or clipping anything off my boy that he needs! These are normally "schooling" or "casual" or "for fun" shows, if any of that makes any sense. I won't cut his whiskers, I could be convinced to clip just the hair that sticks OUT of his ears, and he's really not all that hairy otherwise. We won't be going to win at any rate, but just to have fun. I'm trying to talk Katmease into bringing Buck as well - so the old stablemates can be online together.

Do I need a leather lead? (Without chain?) I want to french braid his mane - and can I put white polos on him so he can look like a fancy schmansy warmblood?? (I've always wanted to find an excuse to do that. )

If I understand correctly, I want him to walk, trot, stop and go in both directions on the drop of a dime, right? We already have that part down, I think - but would practice. I'm not worried about his behavior at all - if anything, he just pays MORE attention to me if in an unfamiliar situation - kinda like "Mooooooommmmmmm??"

And Linda, he does kinda look like a smushed banana right now - all good 'n muddy. ;D

[Smay]

Tee hee! Yes, you can use a leather lead with a chain, but not over his nose, but you wouldn't do that anyway. Usually, people just double them through the bottom ring of the halter. One thing though, an English showmanship horse would be shown in a bridle. If you were going for that Warmblood look, you'd show Brisco in a bridle with a snaffle bit. And you can't put polos on him! Too bad, cause they look so cool. You can't even use polos in any riding class actually. You can braid his mane in a french braid, which would be preferable to long and blowing in the wind... If you're not going to trim him anywhere, the long ear hairs hanging out is a good compromise... That's all I ever clip on ears myself. I just fold the ear flat, and QUICK swipe the clippers right down the edge to neaten the edges up and get those long hairs hanging out! If you wanted him to look like a warmblood dressage horse, with his french braided mane, then bang his tail straight across the bottom too! But I know you won't do that! But it looks cute swinging back and forth when they trot.... And yes, you should practice walking, halting, squaring up his feet and trotting off smartly on the lead, with Brisco staying right beside you with you about at his point of his shoulder. Winny always tries to barge ahead of me, and with HIS trot, I have to run full speed to keep up... Teddy does showmanship like he's been trained to do it!(he hasn't) He watches my every move, and if I start to 'jog" he perks his ears up and BOUNCES into a trot right beside me. and if I stop fast, he SLAMS on his brakes and practically sits down. I don't know why he loves to work on the lead, but he does. He thinks it's some kind of big follow-the-leader game or something.

[CC]

My pony never bit the judge but she did try to run her over because she was scared of the rain slicker the judge was wearing LOL! But, that pony would jump anything put in front of her (including the paddock fence ) so I put up with her!

[GD]

I forgot about Bridles for fancy In Hand English classes, But isn't that for conformation and not showmanship? Also yes , no polos they want to see the grooming job on the whole horse you can't cover anything up . But you could look into the real fancey braiding the Draft horse peope do, They use all sorts of ribbon and pom poms and such, You could braid him in his former racing colors! The best braiding I have ever seen was the french braiding with white satin for the Cadre Noir. Oh yes and you can also sculpt a pattern on his butt with a comb like a checker board or race flag or some sort of geometric design just a little hair product and comb different directions for the effect you want. The Qtr horse people use a lot of Horse moisturizer on thier coats ,it really does bring out the natural oils and conditon the coat great but I wouldn't put a saddle on after GD