What do u need to do in hand showing ?

Question

My freind wants to do in hand showing at the weekend but what will she need to do it ? so things horse will need and what my freind will need to wear , i think it is a bit soon to do a show with the horse but never mind lol x

Answer 1

Well, you'll need a horse that walks, trots, and stays right with the handler - in all in-hand classes, your horse should move off WITH you, and stay at your shoulder, not drag behind and be difficult.  

Halter requires a nicely kept halter (it doesn't have to be silver, but it should at the least be a nicely oiled leather one).  Your horse should be spotlessly clean and brushed out.  The handler must be tidy, with nice jeans (black or sand are usually worn, if it's a local Open show you can get away with blue jeans) or slacks, and a nice, clean longsleeved shirt.  It doesn't have to be sparkly or fancy, just a nice collared shirt.  You will enter the ring walking towards the judge, and you must keep your horse between you and the judge at all times.  As you pass the judge, they will usually ask you to trot off.  Your horse should be responsive and trot right off as soon as you cue it.  You'll trot around the ring into the line up.  Square up your horse, and wait for the judge.  Your horse is divided in half in halter - with a line drawn from the poll down the back to the tail.  If the judge is on the right side of your horse, you should be on the left.  If the judge is on the left, you should be on the right.

In showmanship, everything is the same as in halter, other than you have to do a pattern.  Your horse should pivot on his hind end, pivot on his front end, back up, and walk and trot off easily.  And you have to remember the pattern.  Oh, and the horse is divided into quarters in showmanship - there are two lines: one running from the poll to the tail head, and another that goes right over their withers, perpendicular to the first line.  

For trail-in-hand, you not only do everything you do in showmanship, but you do it with obstacles, like poles, water crossing, etc.  

Don't forget a matching cowboy hat (usually your hat matches your pants: sand pants = sand hat; black pants = black hat; chocolate pants = chocolate hat. Blue pants can be worn with any color hat - you base the hat color then on the color of your shirt.  And good old cowboy boots, lace-up or pull-on, and a belt.

Don't let all that scare you off - showing is a BLAST.  It's addicting, though, so watch out  :o)

Answer 2

Either she will need a bridle, with a nice cavesson noseband and browband.  If the age of the horse and the breed, he or she could be plaited to show of his neck lines.

Beautifully turned out, ie clean and hooves oiled, well shod if appropriate.

Handler, a hacking jacket, tie, jods, gloves, boots - all clean.  Hair in net if appropriate, hat.  Carrying a showing cane or schooling whip.  And able to run.

First the horses will walk large and then they will be brought in - keep an ear out for judges commands.

Make sure your horse is walking out well and easily, not lagging behind or forging ahead.  Just good behaviour.

You will be asked then to lead out, walking in one direction, then trot back.  Make sure that the horse can be seen at all times.  When turning, turn horse away from you, that gives them more balance - as well as avoiding squashed toes.  Expletives have no place in the show ring!!!

Finally bring the horse to a halt and make sure he is standing still and square.  Looking bright and alert, but not explosive.

Salute the judge and when told to do so go back into line.

Follow judges orders and if you win, all well and good, if not, lose gracefully and consider it a learning experience.  Ask the judge how you or your horse could improve next time if he or she is approachable.

Answer 3

Whew... well... Showmanship  she will want to wear a showmanship jacket (not a shortie), A matching blouse underneath if it needs one.  Matching show pants the same color as the jacket.  Black ones if you cannot match it. No jeans for showmanship.  Nice show boots and matching hat.  If you have one that matches the color of the outfit, great, if not, go with a black felt or white/off white straw. Show jewelry is not required but a bit of flash is nice at the ears. A show halter and show lead (leather).  Clean and in nice condition.  Does not have to be fancy if you do not have the money for that.

For trail in hand you use the same clothing that you would use for western pleasure.  Minus any chaps though. Long sleeved show shirt and pants, straw hat and boots.  Show halter and lead.  SOME shows allow girls to wear black or dark jeans and a show blouse with your hat and boots, but it is rare.   If you do, wear a nice belt and buckle. A little bling, or a matching scarf. Boys are allowed but us girls need to be a bit more uncomfortable unfortunately lol.  This is not a full list, but gives you an idea of what most judges like to see. I do hope this helps, and even if the horse is not ready, every show brings  more experience for horse and participant!

Answer 4

Most in-hand classes require a show halter. In-hand trail, for example. Anytime you are not riding/using a bit, you usually use a show halter. As for clothing, show jeans (completely undecorated) and a nice top. A white blouse at the minimum. I show in black slacks and a pink show shirt, since I show my mare in pink. Don't forget a matching hat and nice boots. Depending on the classes (the only in-hand classes I can think of are halter, showmanship, and inhand trail), you might need different things. But if doing showmanship, make sure she, as the person, looks nice and clean, as showmanship is a handler class. If doing halter, I recommend bringing baby wipes to do last minute cleaning around the nose and eyes, and some other spots. We go all out when showing, so it's hard to explain the bare minimum :)

Answer 5

When you say in-hand showing, can you be more specific?

As the above poster stated, what he/she wears sounds appropriate for her class, a hunter shown in hand is shown in a bridle.

A breed show?  Western?  Hunters?