Agricultural show class - Gelding, 3 year + What to do??

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:23 am

I'm a complete novice who is going to have about a month to perfect plaiting and get the right gear in for the "gelding, three year and over" class at our local agricultural show. Has anyone got any pictures of what is normally worn in this class bridle wise and how best to plait as I have seen many photos all different and I'm not sure for this exact class whether to go very showy or just working horse-ish???
The shows on whit back holiday, I can plait "normal" horse tails and manes but never tried anything but a running plait on Callum, the tail will be the test I think!! Shocked

Master Friend Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 327

Can you be more specific what the class is?
If it is just an 'in 'hand' class for the geldings, with no harness, people nowadays use a rope halter, (not the type of headcollars we all use to tie them up, etc) or a proper shire 'in hand' bridle and bit, or a simple snaffle bridle is used more nowadays too, with a lead rope to the bit.

My opinion is, go with what you are both comfortable with, and what you need to keep him under control, and practice your 'stand show' at home before with it.
Get someone to stand and be the judge. Walk away in a straight line, turn him away from you, and walk back to the judge straight. Stop. Turn, trot away straight, stop and turn. Trot back, the 'judge' must stay stood until the last minute! so Callum will not be fazed at the show, by trotting towards a person.
Stop. Step him back a couple of steps.

At the show, notice who the judge's steward is, watch him/her, they give instructions when to come into line etc. Watch what the others do.

As far as plaiting goes, I hope some computer whiz here can put up pics of their own horse at a show, I can't.

I think, this is your first show, you want to do well of course, but look on it as a learning experience, i e do what you and the horse are happy with,
and don't get stressed over details. Very Happy

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

hi plating what colour flights are you using and what brading are you going to use and put a jug handle at the top of the tail .simple snaffle and a bit of your choice just make sure you have brakes parctise your stand show and makesure your horse backs up straight make sure you and the horse walk in step together always say goodmorning /afternoon to the judge and say thank you for judging both of you they like that! never use awhite halter on a gelding bridles only dont worry have fun and good luck and might pay you to buy the book showing the heavyhorse an exhibitors guide by edward hart where are you showing and whose the judge

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:43 pm

hi mc, i was in the same boat as you last year, luckly i was able to go to a shire centre, and got some info there Wink

. i looked on the internet at show photos ect, and then i made my own plaiting things, (this years are abit better). the other way is to be nosey and go and ask people at shows Laughing

, i just used a plain bridle for a while, untill i found one on ebay Wink

he's afew pics of the ones i made, they did the job Very Happy

Master Friend Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 327

Crumbs Angela! They are very good, I might have a go at making my own tail loops (jug handles) too, now.

Good pictures,very clear, too.

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:03 am

I'm really impressed with your flights and especially your jug handle Angela. The jug handle is the only part of our "kit" that I couldn't make so had to buy ... and they are expensive for what they are. How did you make it?

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:19 am

I was thinking of taking callum to corbridge "northumberland county show" for the standard agricultural gelding over 3 years class rather than the horse in harness one (as he doesn't drive I don't have the kit anyway!)
Having re-thought this and attempted the mini show at home with stand in judge yesterday it's going to take longer than a month to get everything sorted, he's a lazy bugger when it comes to the trotting but will get the idea with practice (show is whit bank holiday monday next month)
SO....I've decided to go and watch at corbridge and get plenty hints, rather than rush entry and preparation for this show I'll aim for Glendale (wooler) show instead which is august bank holiday so plenty of time to get ready for that one. (and learn to plait correctly!)
I thought Mainly Red on the flights (red and navy??) as he's a mahogany bay.

Master Friend Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 327

That sounds like an excellent plan, to me. Very Happy

I like the colours of his kit, good and strong, and they will flatter his own colour. Very Happy

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:31 pm

hi mc, i think blue and red will go together nicely Wink

holdfast and tracy, i made the jug handle using, 3 zip ties sellotaped flat together, then i wrapped the blue riibbon around, i then glued the yellow fancy thread stuff along it, then i looped it. i used a plastic cocktail stirrer for the stem Laughing

it did take a few attempts Shocked

Master Friend Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 327

Thank you for the information and inspiration. I am going to have a play, and see what I can make. Well done you, these things are expensive.

Newbie Joined: 03 Mar 2010 Posts: 2 Location: UK

Hi
You could try Heavy Horse Decorations on 07747 047 135, they aren't expensive and their stuff is really good. A friend of mine has just had a whole set made, I'll see if she can take a photo of her youngster all plaited up for me to upload. Very Happy

Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Lancashire

We are in the same boat this year, we took our gelding to his first aggricultural show last sunday and i made ribbons and flights. They were all over the place but i did think it was better than nothing. Now we're after buying some and i'm on the hunt. so if there are any websites anyone knows of please let me know. Thanks