Preparing a pony for the show ring

Press, 15 July 1987, Page 48

Preparing a pony for the show ring

Taking your pony in to the show ring can be a lot of fun, and provide very useful experience in getting your pony to the peak of condition and making him look his best. Ponies specially bred for showing are now fantastically expensive, and hard to beat, but do not be despondent if your pony does not look like any of the famous ones.

A lot can be done at home to improve your pony’s apperance and a quite ordin-ary-looking pony, well schooled and with the right rider, can go a long way. Show-pony classes are now very popular, and there are so many competitors in each class that it is very difficult for judges to look at them all properly. If you want to do well, there are points to remember which will help get the judge to notice you. Some of these are making sure that your pony is obedient and does not get overexcited in company, that your tack is clean and in good condition, and that your pony and you are well groomed — needing attention at home long before you get anywhere near the show ring.

But there are also hints on how to show your pony best. Be alert. Watch the judge or,, at the bigger shows, the stewards, for instructions to . change pace. Do not anticipate their instructions, but if you are among the first to trot, say, you will notch up a good mark. If you are called in

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high enough up the line to be asked to give an individual show and to strip your pony for the judge’s scrutiny, be ready to do as you are asked promptly. Let us look into the judge’s mind for a moment. What might he or she be thinking of as a class of poines comes into the ring? These are children’s ponies, so they ought to be suitable for children to ride.

A good judge will not give an award to a pony, however beautifully made, that bucks.

rolls the whites of its eyes, tries to kick other ponies, or otherwise misbehaves. A true show-pony class will have more importance given to presentation quality and correct conformation, including the indefinable "ponyness,” which even thoroughbred ponies should possess. Working-pony classes are in some ways the best to enter if your pony is a good all-rounder, but perhaps not quite as beautifully made as the top-class show ponies need to be.

An informal discussion on all aspects of show hunters will be held on Monday at 7.30 p.m. in the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association board room. All welcome, $2 cover charge, (please note change of date.)

The Rakaia Pony Club’s one-day open and novice trials at Rakaia resulted:

17 years and over, open, over all: J. Spark-Cambridge’s Cocaine 1. 16 and under, open, over all: J. Jarvis’s Casper 1; S. Topp’s Windvale Law 2; N. Glassey’s Claude 3. 14 and under, open, over all: C. Sinclair’s Moonstone 1; T. Ford’s Coco 2; M. Collier’s Killinchy 3. 12 and under, open, over all: C. Miller’s Thistledown 1; J. Collier’s Red Tiger 2; J. Danrell’s Gypsy Prince 3. Pre-novice hack, over all: A. Carlyon’s Remeka 1: J. Farrant’s Makito 2; J. Houston’s Sebastian 3.

17 and over, novice, over all: R. Boon’s Cardhu 1; P. Carlyon’s Spanish Ace 2; D. Winter’s Holy Smoke 3. 16 and under, novice, over all: D. Ballagh’s Eldorado 1; A. Ford’s Master Wallace 2; K. Fitzgibbon’s Ben Duffy 3.

14 and under, novice, over all (A): M. Stephen's Galliano 1; S. Grainger’s Emily 2; C. McLenaghen’s Benjamin Franklin 3. Over all (B): K. Riley’s Pampas 1; C. Gerard’s Slightly Foreign 2; R. Spark’s Calico Lad 3. 12 and under, novice, over all (A): K. Doig’s Royal Classic 1; G. Ross’s Twilight 2; K. Shaw’s Wellington 3. Over all (B): N. McAlister’s Gundagai Auswag 1; M. Smeath’s Brandy Snap 2; J. Honeywell’s Sylvester 3.

The Balcairn Pony Club’s derby day, held on the property of Mr Hugh Wilson, Sefton, in cold, showery conditions, resulted:— 17 years and over: R. Sebire’s Andy 1; S. Johnston 2; D. Winter’s Holy Smoke 3; C. Booth’s Just Sam 4.

16 and under: D. Ballagh’s Queen’s Gem 1; H. Calvert’s Belle Starr 2; P. Wakelin’s Dashing Lady 3; H. Brittan’s Galway Snowball 4.

14 and under: J. Clark’s Robbie 1; P. Walford 2; K. Woodham’s Neptune 3; L. Geursen’s Flame 4. 12 and under: C. Ford’s Polgarde of Toledo 1; C. McGrath’s Master Pete 2; N. Ballagh’s Silver Mist 3; H. Muldoon’s Charlotte Jane 4.