Welsh Stallion Showing - Correct Tack?

Question

My aunt has a black welsh D stallion who she is interested in showing. Brown tack is always correct in the show ring but black is ok (with some judges) according to the welsh society (we are in the UK). Black tack suits him better as he is black with a white blaze however should a particular judge prefer brown would we be wrong? I need advice. Should we get him a brown or black showing vridle and a black or brown showing saddle? Can brown tack look ok on a black horse in the showring?

please remember I need answers according to UK rules and/or showing experience

Answer 1

I dont show horses but i'd much prefer is see a black horse in clean polished tack and a bright white numna. Think it would look outstanding.

Just my opinion though.

Answer 2

As long as the tack is clean and polished, it doesn't matter if it's black or brown. Use a bright white half pad (the ones shaped like the saddle) to accentuate his coloring. And make sure the blacks are the same... a couple of "blacks" I've bought in the past looked browner than others. So you would also need a black girth... don't use a fleece cover.

AND... use purpling soap on his socks and blaze to make them as white as possible... it sucks to have a brand new white half pad and then that makes your horse's blaze and socks look dirty.

Answer 3

As from many years experience in the show ring and judging, Black or Brown is fine whatever anyone says!!! Black looks good on either a black or grey (and everything in between that) ad well as piebalds and tobianos. Brown looks good on everything else. What ever colour you choose, makesure everything is the same colour, ie if you choose brown; brown tack, girth, numnah... Also there are different tones of brown, and a dark havvana would look nice on this horse. If your just starting out, just makesure all your tack is clean..... personaly either go for a dark brown, or a black (black propaply looks better). Good luck with the showing. Dont forget, inhand classes you should have a proper inhand bridle with the brass buckels and he should be lead from a newmarket chain. Make sure the show allows stallions aswel, as some dont.....

Answer 4

Brown is always correct in the showring, and always looks best, regardless of the colour of the horse. Yes, brown tack looks good on a black horse.

However - a good show saddle will set you back upwards of £500 for a decent second hand, and I'd expect around £100 for a new good quality bridle. Don't go out and buy correct tack if you're just starting out - for local / riding club shows, it doesn't matter. If you're going to go to WPCS / NPS / BSPS / PUK shows (or classes affiliated to the societies) you'll be under a proper panel judge who will most likely prefer to see brown tack.

But don't forget, tack is just part of the picture. I'd prefer to see a good pony in the wrong tack (so long as it was a matter of tradition, not broken rules) than a so-so pony turned out correctly. If you're going to buy new tack, I strongly recommend buying brown; presumably as he's a stallion he's a darn good stamp of a D, and going with general showing rules would be in his favour.