Coloured and veteran classes

[Memo]

Hi there,

I have decided to enter a dun class and a veteran class at a local show in July and there are a few points that need clarified. I have only done Highland classes (with a diferent horse) before so I'm a bit unsure about a number of things in coloured/veteran classes... Angus is a 15 year old, 15hh, mouse dun Highland x TB, if that's any help.

- Bits: He is usually ridden in a baucher. Can I show him in this bit or should I get him used to something different?

- Hair: He's got a thick mane and tail and a wee bit of fetlocks. All have been left au naturel until now. Is it ok to leave him like that or shall start some serious grooming?

- Age: Although we now know for sure that Angus is 15, the year of birth on his passport in 1996. Will that prevent us from entering the veteran class?

That's all the questions I can think of just now, but I'm sure I'll think of a few more nearer the time. Any help would be much appreciated: it will be our first show together and I don't want to mess things up...

Thanks a lot,

Memo.

 

[racheldee]

Bits: your one should be fine! But if you wanted to you could ride in a snaffle bit or a pelham with two reins if your horse is comfortable with it

Hair: as hes part bred be should be timmed, pulled and plaited for shows, have you got a pic of him by any chance? im guessing he looks finer than a highland

Age: this is fine, if you know hes 15 he can be put into vetran

 

[Memo]

Thanks for your help Racheldee.

He is fine in a baucher so I have no reason to change his bit really (other than potential show regulations). I'm sorry to hear that I'll have to chop a lot of hair, though... You are right: he is finer than a Highland, but there is still a native look about him.

Here's couple of pics from last winter:

And a portrait:

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Rips]

- Age: Although we now know for sure that Angus is 15, the year of birth on his passport in 1996. Will that prevent us from entering the veteran class?

Just curious as to how that comes about? Is the passport a fake?

 

[Memo]

Rips: I'm not quite sure how it came about to be honest...

Angus has had quite a tourmented life and at least five owners so far... It looks to me like the passport has been made along the way by someone who didn't know very much about his past. The vet must have had to estimate his age from teeth, etc. We only found out his real age last year, after quite a lot of research...

 

[Rips]

Oh Last headshot is a nice picture. I'd say you have to plait and trim for those classes, shame because you can see he has that 'native' type mane - its fluffy

 

[Memo]

Yes, he is a very fluffy pony . But if it has to be done, we'll trim, pull and plait .

 

[pippy]

if you are showing at local level i would leave him natural state
he has not taken the t.b side of the breeding and still looks more like a highland and at local level half the judges dont know one breed from another

 

[Memo]

Thanks for your reply Pippy. I would rather not have to trim, pull and plait to be honest...

In reality, it is rather obvious that Angus is not a Highland (he's too tall and too thin) so I don't think that any juge (especially in Scotland) will make that mistake. I'll try and take some more photos of him today in his summer coat, but here's an idea of what he looked like last summer:

He does however have more of a pony look, you are right. And since it is a local show, I don't think that the juges will be that fussed about his "hair do", as long as it is neat and tidy... I just don't want to make a mistake.

 

[pippy]

i have read a lot of threds on people that have been showing part bred welshes and been told not to plait i have shown pbw for a number of years and never come across a judge yet that has wanted them to be unplaited
but there you go
try your first show unplaited and see if they say anything by the way how big is he?

 

[Memo]

Sorry for replying so late...
Pippy, your horses look lovely. Angus is just over 15hh I think (I need to measure him again) for about 500kg.
I think that I will do that: do the first show unplaited, ask for feedback, and sort things out for the next show. The first show we are going to is meant to be very friendly and not too competitive so we should be ok. I'm not really expecting to get placed: we're going for the experience!