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What happens in the show ring?

Inhand Classes

Inhand classes will all follow the same format, apart from some Sports Horse or Sports Pony classes - see further down the page for how they work.

You start off going into the ring and walking round on the right rein. You are on the horse's left hand side, so you're on the outside so the judge can see the horse. You need to be walking at the horse's shoulder, not at the head. It's worth investing some time into teaching the horse to walk forward like this so you don't have to drag it.

When you've walked round for a while and the judge has had time to start assessing the class, the steward will pick a pony and ask them to stand in a corner. The rest of the class stands behind them. One by one, they will trot round to the rear of the line. Practice this as well, making sure that your horse goes off smoothly and also stops easily.

When you've all trotted round, you will walk on again and the judge and steward will start pulling you in. It's normally in a provisional order at this point, but in a small class you might come in in any order.

When everyone has been pulled in, you'll all do an individual show. You come out and stand in front of the lineup, and stand the pony up for the judge. The steward will tell you where to stand and where to face - but keep an eye on earlier competitors as well. When the judge has had a good look at the horse, she will tell you to go on. You walk away, turn round, making sure you stay on the outside - so turn to the right - and trot back.

Trot straight towards the judge, then go past her and round the back of the lineup and back to your place.

When everyone has done their individual bit, the judge will often go down the lineup again for a last look. If she's changed her mind about placings, she may want to compare the ponies again, so will have a good look.

When the judge is happy, the steward will ask you all to walk on round again on the right rein as before. Keep an eye on the steward for being pulled in, even if you're at the bottom of the line. Don't assume you'll stay there - I've gone up over 10 places before.

When you've been pulled in and the rosette giving has been done, the first six do a lap of honour. Trot on round the ring once, on the right rein as before.

Mare and Foal Classes

Mare and foal classes follow the same format, apart from some sports horse classes and the corresponding breed classes, such as Hanoverian or other warmblood breeds. More on these later. For most classes, the foal will walk round behind or in front of the mare, follow her in the first trot round and for the individual show.

If the mare is being judged, the foal can walk directly to the rear of the lineup, or trot round with Mum. If the foal is being judged, then if he will trot out without Mum, it looks good. But better not to risk it if the foal's behaviour is at all in question, or it's likely to upset him in the atmosphere of the show.

For the individual show, the same holds true. If the foal will do a show without following, that's great. But better to do a good show following the mare than an anxious one alone.

Sometimes, broodmare and foal classes, while judged separately, are done concurrently so the foals don't have to do two classes.

Foals are turned out as the adults would be in the same class, although obviously not bitted. Leather foal slips, which are available with browbands (coloured or plain according to the class) or white halters. It's advisable to use an extra long leadrein or even a lunge line, to ensure you can hold on during any airs above the ground!

Sports Horse Classes

Sports Horse or Pony classes can differ in format to a traditional inhand class. You do all walk round, but don't do the first trot to the rear of the line. The individual part is also different.

One by one, you stand your horse up for the judges, then trot round a triangle, that is normally marked in the ring. The judges stand on one end of the triangle so that they can see the horse trot towards them, away and side on.

Foal classes are done slightly differently - normally in an enclosed area such as an indoor school, once they have all gone round together, they all leave the ring and come back in one by one, with the foals being shown loose to really show off their paces.

Ringcraft

Going in the ring

As with the ridden classes, positioning is important. Don't go in behind the horse who's been unbeaten all season, and do try to go in behind a horse of a different colour or build to yours. You don't want to blend into a sea of brown ponies who all look the same - break it up a bit and look for something that your horse will stand out against.

The first walkround

Get a good walk going, and keep an eye on where the judge is watching. Normally, she will pick a side of the ring and watch that, seeing each horse come down it. So hold back a bit beforehand, and really stride out along that side, so you're not crowded and can show off your horse's walk to its best advantage. Also try not to encourage the horse verbally or click, as they can sometimes put their ears back to listen to you or hesitate if they think you want something.

The first trot

When you do your first trot, don't be tempted to go hell for leather. You often end up in front of the horse and a rushed trot doesn't show off the movement well. Practice at home, get someone to watch you and also to trot the horse up - see what speed looks best. Be aware of what the steward is doing, wake the horse up before you are asked to go, and aim for a nice smooth transition. A couple of strides of walk is fine, but trot as soon as you can. Yet another thing to practice at home is matching your stride to the horse's front legs, so the judge isn't watching a blur of legs, which detracts from the movement of the horse. This is easier than it looks, and really does make a difference.

The individual show

When you stand up for the judge, make sure your horse is standing nicely. Another thing to practice at home, so he will stand square and still. When you do your trotting up, really aim straight for the judge - she will get out of your way. Obviously take into account that an elderly judge may not be able to move very fast, so don't run her down!

Make sure you can stop at the end smoothly and without pulling. Do keep trotting right the way round to the back - go past your place in the lineup if you think the judge is still looking at you. If she liked the horse more on closer inspection than on first look, she will be looking carefully to confirm her thoughts. Keep trotting until she has moved on to look at the next competitor.

Waiting in line

When you're waiting in the lineup, do keep your pony alert and stood up well. Each time the judge watches a horse walk away in front of the lineup, you're in the edge of her vision. So no slouching, fiddling, yawning (however early you had to get up!), or letting the horse fall asleep.

The final walkround

Just like in the ridden classes, don't give up until you're out of the ring. Get the best walk going that you can when you go back out for the final walk round, and keep an eye on the steward for being pulled in.