Horse Showing: English Pleasure/ Hunter Hack Classes- Saddle Pad?

Question

I read somewhere that for hunter classes, you have to use a saddle pad that is white and shapped like the saddle. My first show is in about 2 weeks, and now my trainer has told me i need a square one, like dressage pads. I'm really confused about what to use. Is it different for English Pleasure and Hunter Hack? Who do I listen to?

and also, about crops, I heard a trainer say to her student the other day that you aren't supposed to use the strap on the crop, but just hold the handle. well, i've always put the strap on my wrist just to keep it from falling if i drop it. am I supposed to? What about switching hands with the crop? I always learned that its supposed to be on the inside, but now my trainer says to just keep it in one hand...?

As you can see, my pre-show novice nerves are kicking in! HELP PLEASE!!!

Answer 1

All the people at my hunter/jumper shows use a saddle pad that is shaped like the saddle.  We school the day before in the rectangular pads, but use the ones shaped like the saddle for showing.  I have never seen anyone use the normal square/rectangle pads for showing.

I've been told that the crop is supposed to be on the inside, but I'm not sure it really matters.  I've shown in college shows and held the crop in one hand without switching it...  I really don't think it would matter much.  I mean if you do well, you're going to place no matter how you hold the crop.  But you could also switch it to the inside when you turn around because they're not going to count off for that either.

I don't think I've had the wrist band on the crop when showing.  Again, I don't think they'd count off if you do have it around your wrist.  You might want to go without the wrist band because your horse might be a little fresher because of being at a show in a new place with lots of other horses, so you might want to be able to drop the crop if you find that your horse doesn't need it during the class.  That's a common thing.  If your horse is acting up, you don't want to be holding the crop and upsetting him more, so it's common for someone to drop the crop in the ring.

And I agree with the other answer... unless it's a really big serious show, you can do what you're comfortable with.

Answer 2

You can use either pad, but I would listen to your trainer, she probaly knows more about it then you do. And I know that Judges like short crops with no strap, but some like no crops at all because it shows you have more control over the horse. Contact me if you need more help.

Answer 3

Unless this show is really important (like a qualifying show for something) I would stick with what you are comfortable with.  It sounds like this is your first show, am I correct?  If so, then the point of this show is to get through it, not to win ribbons (although that is a plus!).  If you are used to a crop with the strap on use it, just focus on your nerves.  I can guarentee that judges will dock more points if you are having trouble coping with last minute changes than they would if you switched your crop but still rode fine.  

I have always used a saddle pad that was saddle shapped, just because I could easily use it with my Aussie saddle as well.  Depending on what type of show this is (local versus a biger show) the rules might be stricter.  If it's a local show they will probably not care what kind of saddle pad you use.  If it is a more challenging show (more competitors) then the judges will pay more attention to things like saddle pads.  

Through all of this, I would always try to listen to your trainer.  Except for my advice of doing the things that you are used to and comfortable with, you should try to use her advice - that's what you're paying her for!  Good Luck!