Which Showing Class is Best for My Horse or Pony?

Showing is a popular equestrian discipline accessible to horse and pony owners of all levels. While top-level competitions demand superior quality horses, substantial time, effort, and expense, local riding club shows provide an encouraging and friendly environment for newcomers. These local shows often feature simpler classes such as 'bonny pony' or 'handsome horse' that require only a happy steed and a smile. Another popular entry-level category is 'best turned out,' where a lovingly prepared horse or pony and handler with clean tack can shine. Attention to details like bright eyes, glossy coats, polished hooves, and even quarter marks can significantly boost your chances of success in this class.

In-Hand Classes

Most shows offer in-hand classes where handlers, neatly dressed, present their horses and ponies at walk and trot. One common category is the 'best conditioned' class, typically at local shows, rewarding horses and ponies exhibiting excellent health signs such as appropriate weight, a glossy coat, healthy hooves, and alert demeanour. Other in-hand classes may focus on veterans, coloured coats, mountain and moorland breeds, hunters, or specific breeds. These classes provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your horse or pony's health and conformation and often include ridden sections as well.

Mountain and Moorland Classes

Ponies eligible for mountain and moorland classes include native UK breeds such as the Connemara, Dales, Fell, Highland, and the Welsh Sections A, B, C, and D, along with Dartmoor, Exmoor, New Forest, and Shetland ponies. Whether shown in-hand or ridden, these classes judge ponies on how well they meet breed standards, also known as "true to type." For instance, the Connemara should stand between 13hh and 14.2hh, with a deep, compact body and minimal knee action. The Dales breed should be straight-moving and powerful with a broad chest and muscular neck. Fell ponies should demonstrate active knee and hock movement without exceeding 14hh. These classes celebrate native heritage and breed characteristics.

Ridden Show Ponies

Ridden show pony classes are categorised by pony height and rider age. Typically, these ponies are of finer substance compared to their native mountain and moorland cousins. They must have excellent conformation, beautiful presence, and free, elegant movement. Manners are crucial as they carry child riders with grace. Lead rein classes are available for riders under seven, where a handler walks beside the pony holding the lead rein attached to the noseband. This provides a safe and supportive introduction for young riders to the world of showing.

Riding Horses

For showing purposes, riding horses require excellent conformation, particularly hard, blemish-free limbs, a well-shaped neck, and a sloping shoulder for comfortable movement. They should demonstrate obedience, self-carriage, and a calm temperament with a lively sparkle at higher levels. Riding horses often come in lighter breeds like Thoroughbreds or part-bred Arabs and are typically categorised by height into 'small' (14.2hh to 15.2hh) and 'large' (above 15.2hh) sections. These horses showcase elegance and lightness of movement.

Show and Working Hunters

Show hunter classes, sometimes called ridden hunters, span from riding club levels to major championships. These horses generally have a heavier build than riding horses and are categorised by bone size just below the knee into lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight divisions. Lightweight hunters stand around 16.1hh to 16.2hh with approximately 8.5 inches of bone, middleweights around 16.3hh with 8.75 to 9 inches bone, and heavyweights 17hh and above with 9 to 10 inches of bone. Good show hunters possess a long, ground-covering, low stride, immaculate limbs, and superior breeding. Working hunter classes add a jumping element, requiring horses to jump rustic fences calmly and with balance. Working hunter ponies follow similar categories, often divided by height rather than bone weight.

Choosing the Right Showing Class

When selecting a showing class, consider your horse or pony's breed, size, age, training, and strengths. Breed-specific classes like those for Connemara ponies allow your horse to be shown as true to type. For horses less suited to ridden classes, in-hand showing offers a welcoming alternative.

Local shows are ideal places to gain experience, improve your skills, and most importantly, have fun. Remember, at grassroots levels, the emphasis is on enjoyment and participation rather than perfection. As you progress, you can explore more specialised classes with exacting standards.

Prioritising your horse or pony's welfare by maintaining good health, condition, and courteous manners will always enhance your showing experience and success.