Hi, Let me introduce myself, my daughter has a weekend share of a 14hh connemara who is lovely. A real plodder but safe. We have been going for hacks and general faffing around with him as it is quite a new thing for us. My daughter is 11 and has riding lessons and has done her PC D test. I rode a lot a a child and adult but no longer do so. I have several questions as we are contemplating taking him to a local show. Now we are only interested in the fun showing classes such as "most handsome gelding" but there is a Mountain and Moorland showing class. I have never done this kind of thing and am looking for hints and tips on the whole experience. I would hate to upset Robbie becuase we forget something daft like enough to drink or correct sweat sheet etc. Any advice on this and the whole preparation would be very gratefully received.

Thanks

Jane and Abbie

Hi,

Mountain and moorland is quite simple. The horse must look as natural as possible, clean and well groomed. They don't get plaited up or anything like that. Just lovely long manes and tails and a shiny coat. If you want you can put a small thin plait at the top of the mane so it shows off your horses jaw line clearly. All tack must be super clean! Nothing worse than a beautiful horse with grubby tack. My saddle is black so I use either a thin black or white numnah, or none at all.

Then all you have to do is prepare yourself. White/cream jods, show jacket, shirt and tie, show cane, shinny boots and off course a hair net and hat. It's great fun at local shows I hope you enjoy yourselves! Just keep that horse clean!