Kirkcarrion Highland Ponies

Each native breed has its own rules about showing - both in hand and under saddle. For full details contact the relevant society for your pony (see the Breed Societies page for contact information).

Generally speaking, registered native breeds are shown in as natural a condition as possible, unplaited (the exception here is Welsh breeds where a single plait behind the right ear is permitted to show the jaw) and untrimmed (again the Welsh breeds permit judicious trimming but other breeds generally do not). Be very careful before you trim and plait up your natives for a class therefore, if you also want to do registered breed or M&M classes - you could be marked down if you don't conform to the breed standards.

Tack and clothing also varies slightly for inhand showing. For instance at certain shows like the Royal Highland, Breed Show and Blair Castle it is expected that an inhand exhibitor will wear a kilt or tartan skirt to show a Highland pony. Those showing Welsh breeds at the Royal Welsh however, will generally be wearing running shoes as the running out of a Section A or D is crucial to the success of the exhibitor!

For ridden M&M classes it is normal for the rider to be in a hacking jacket rather than a black show jacket. Beige or cream jodhpurs, black boots and a hat that conforms to safety standards, plus a white shirt and stock should be fine in most situations. They should wear gloves and carry a short showing cane rather than a dressage, jumping or other whip. For novice classes the pony should have a simple snaffle bridle, for open classes a double bridle or pelham may be acceptable - check first and avoid problems.

For inhand showing the ridden clothing described is acceptable, but you will see more handlers wearing a shirt and tie plus trousers or tidy skirt and maybe a jacket.

Most important is that the pony is true to the breed type, is clean, well mannered, well presented and a good example of the breed standard conformation. The handler or rider should take care to check which regulations are applied at any given show and not hamper their performance through inaccurate presentation.

Tack should suit the pony - large substantial breeds generally need a broad noseband to complement a workmanlike head, where a Welsh A and B will have a far finer strap to show off a tiny head rather than swamp it.

For inhand showing, as a rule, the class will enter at walk and circle the ring until directed by the steward to either come in to a preliminary line up or else stop and queue at a given corner and trot each pony in turn to the back of the line and then walk around as a class again until lined up - this is a preliminary lineup and not a final placing so don't assume there is no need to try at this point - places do change significantly sometimes. Once lined up the ponies should be stood up in turn for the judge to inspect, then they are usually asked to walk away and trot back although in traditional Highland classes you often walk up *and back* and then trot up and back before returning to the line. Whatever pace you are asked for, turn the pony *away* from you to the right, aim for the turn to be finished where it is started at 6 o'clock on an imaginary circle, and trot directly back towards the judge - they are looking for straightness of action and don't want to run around to get the right view. Trot past the judge (they move out of the way, honest!) and round to the place you left. Once all ponies have been seen, there may be a repositioning within the lineup or the steward may ask the class to return to a circle walking around the ring until pulled back in. Again this may not be final positions so don't assume you're done until the rosettes are handed out!

The exception to this is the Welsh Cob classes where there is usually a spectacular trot entry - this would not be appreciated in a mixed or other breed class so leave it for Cob classes and then be prepared to run until the judge stops looking and the audience stop applauding! Cob day at the Royal Welsh is quite spectacular and definitely something to see if you can make it!

Ridden show classes follow similar lines but again watch for directions from the steward. Normal practice is to walk around the ring as a class until directed to trot and then canter. A change of rein will be directed, usually at trot, and all three paces are again shown on this rein before coming back to walk. You may be invited to show a short gallop down one long side either in turn or else as you come to a set marker - be sure to pull up safely at the far end.

Rather than the walk and trot of inhand classes, you will be asked for a short show, either as instructed or else one you have prepared to demonstrate all paces on both reins very briefly. Alternatively, the judge may elect to ride the ponies or ask a rider to ride them all for him/her. Novice ponies tend to be asked for a show by their own rider, but if you are in open classes and don't want your pony ridden by someone else, read the schedule before entering the class.

After this ridden show you may be asked to strip the pony for an inhand inspection - check with the steward before ripping your saddle off as classes vary. If you are asked to strip the pony, remove the saddle, give the pony a quick tidy up (have mini-grooming kit in your pocket or ask a friend to groom for you and bring it in to the ring as you finish your show) and be ready to stand the pony up, walk away and trot back as for inhand showing - again turning the pony away from you as you turn, not dragging it round the outside of you. Then quickly tack back up and remount, let the groom take the tack tray away and be ready to walk around the ring again for the lineup.

Assuming you've won a rosette, in hand or ridden, you will do a lap of honour and then leave the ring. Lower places normally leave the ring as the winners set off.

I hope the above is of some use to newcomers to showing. I have no doubt missed out important things or even made mistakes - in particular with ridden classes as I don't do show riding! There are as I said rules for each society and the National Pony Society (NPS) has regulations for its affiliated shows too, so check with your breed society or NPS for full details and don't assume I am always right as I'm only human and not the world's leading expert! The most important thing is to check the show schedule to see what regulations apply - it would be a shame to go to alot of effort and be unsuccessful due to the wrong tack or procedure.

Watch what other competitors are doing, listen for the stewards' directions and be polite at all times - the judge isn't there to listen to your pony's life history but a good morning and a prompt reply to any question about the pony's age etc will be appreciated. And when riding, don't cut people up and hide them from the judge at a critical moment. Make use of circles to keep in a decent space when riding as a class and overtake only where you are not impeding the judge's view by doing so. Showing is meant to be fun and safe - there are those who may not demonstrate this but it is your responsibility to ensure that you and your pony are not causing problems.

Oh yes, a final word, showing is meant to be fun and you are supposedly demonstrating in public what a nice pony you have. Cursing it, beating it or scowling at other competitors is not generally a good way to impress the judge, and you'd be surprised what a smile does to improve your presentation! I have seen novices leaving the ring clearly delighted with a pony for behaving or making progress, unrelated to final standing. Others scowl and complain if they're 3rd or even 2nd and put the other pony down loudly as they go. You are presenting your pony and paying for that particular judge's opinion of the ponies in front of him/her on that day. Not winning is not a major tragedy, not cause for griping and nastiness - it may mean the judge doesn't like the type, colour or behaviour of pony or that you've done something wrong in presenting it (wrong tack for instance) but it is only on that day, not a forever judgement. A pony can do well under one judge and not under another, it is down to taste, experience and the simple fact that no pony can be expected to be perfect in every way every time out. Some days it may just be that bit tucked up with excitement, or tossing it's head with a teething/bitting problem, or coming in season and spooky. Don't be slapdash and always try for the best you can do, but please don't treat it as the end of the world if your pony doesn't do well every time. There's always next week. Just remember, enjoy it, you're doing it as a pleasure not a chore, aren't you???

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Copyright ©A Douglas 1997 Last Modified: 11:58:44 Mon, 06 May 2002