Best Classes and apparel for First Time hunter jumper?

Question

I am going to a horse show this Saturday and it has been many years since I have been to a show...the horse has never been but has jumped up to 3'. What would be the best classes to join and any other helpful information would be greatly appreciated =]. (I'm also not completely sure of how to dress for this, it is a 4-H show.)

Answer 1

If your 4-H is like ours - try the green hunter and hunter hack classes. For your horses first time out, a 3 foot course might be a bit daunting.

As far as apparel - you can't go wrong with a navy blue hunt coat, white shirt, beige breeches and tall black boots. Though you should check with the rule book just to be sure.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would wear a polo shirt and match it to my horses saddle pad color (I am obsesive like that). If you plan to wear a fitted pad (like normal hunter) then just pick a solid color that compliments you and your horse.

Wear tan breeches with knee patches (not full seat)

You can probably wear chaps and paddok boots.

I would do a green hunter class if they have it or 3 inches below what he schools reguraly at home.

Try to get to the show ground a couple hours before your class so you can get checked in and figure out what is going on without being strapped for time (much less stressful).

4-H is usually really laid back so I doubt you will need a coat, ratcatcher or tall boots.

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

If he has never been to a horse show, I would take him to the show, but not enter him at all. I would ride him around the grounds and in the warm up ring, and let him take in the atmosphere and get used to all the hubbub of a show without the pressure to perform.

If you do decide to enter him, do something much easier than you would do at home. Is there a walk/trot class?  How about hunter under saddle or other flat classes? You're going to be facing him with a lot of new sights, sounds, and smells, and some horses go into a sensory overload their first time out. They're not being bad, they just can't process everything going on around them. So, give him something very easy to do to make the show a good experience for him so that he will want to do it again.

After he's done his first show and you know how he will react to the show atmosphere, then start thinking about what you can do at the next show. If he handles everything in stride, then enter whatever you feel comfortable doing at the next show. If he gets spastic and overloaded, then he may need some more time just schooling at a show before entering.

Answer 4

Try hunter hack, and if they offer it, long stirrup hunters. Its a low 2'-2'3" class with no oxers.

You should have:

black helmet

tan/beige breeches

black boots

white/blue show shirt

navy hunt coat

black gloves

Answer 5

Well in the UK the showing system is quite different, but i would suggest that you enter him in a jumping class, that is below the height (or quite a bit below the height) that you are jumping at home. That way, you will be confident in your horses ability to clear the fences etc. He will also have a lot more to think about than he normally would, so try to keep him focused and straight into the fences. Have fun and good luck.