Showing a Yearling - A Learning Process

Anyway, after weaning I decided that I would like to take my filly to two or three shows in 2009 - nothing too exacting and nicely spaced apart. The master plan was Woodbridge Horse Show in early May, then hopefully Suffolk County at the end of May and then Framlingham in July with possibly one other.

Planning and reality rarely match, especially in my life, and due to being late bitting her and practising travelling, I missed Woodbridge. Taking my life in my hands, I entered Suffolk County, which would be her first show (gulp). I entered Hunter Yearling and also Irish Draught Youngstock, thinking that if she was exhausted after the first I didn’t have to do the second, albeit the more important class for me.

Now that I am “mature”, I find showing a bit stressful at the best of times, so you can imagine how I felt, taking my baby to her first show, travelling for the longest distance she had experienced and all the other “firsts” that she was going to be subjected to. Well, I need not have worried at all. I could have kissed the car park attendants who managed to squeeze my trailer right next to my allotted stable (although it did happen to be on the entrance to the light horse exercise area). Once unloaded, we took her straight into her stable which was already strawed and had a good dollop of nice hay from the last occupant. She immediately tucked into the hay with an occasional glance out at her neighbours and the busy world outside.

I put her bridle on and, taking a huge breath, took her for a little walk to acclimatise her before our class. She was enthralled by what she saw, whinnied a few times, but behaved well. Our first class was uneventful and she did everything I asked. She was very “up” but controllable and did nothing to disgrace her or me, thankfully. I was extremely disappointed that the judge said only two words to me during the whole class. There were only 3 forward out of 5 entered and I was called in second, below a chestnut TB x ID yearling (which has subsequently beaten me on every occasion we have been in the same class). I was SO relieved it was over and totally delighted that I (a) hadn’t been knocked over and dragged across the ring and (b) hadn’t been placed last!!! We did the Championship just for ring experience.

There was about an hour before my next class, so I did a recce of how I would get to the ring and managed to force myself to have a sip of water. Any food until after I have finished my classes is completely impossible! I was going to have to take her up the main horse walk to the ID class. As it happened the class before mine (Andalusians) ran on - and on - so I stayed out of the horse walk until they were well clear - I didn’t fancy meeting them as they galloped out of the ring! Weasel was really relaxed by this time and once we were in the ring, almost too relaxed and probably tired as she strolled around the ring, with what I now know is her showing attitude - been there, done that, what now? The judge made me trot up twice so I knew something was up and I realised on the second trot up that Weasel was unlevel and we left the ring. When we got back to the stable, I found a tiny splint on her near fore which must be the cause. Her feet were all clean and cool.

We loaded and got home without mishap and turned her out to join her pals and tell them all about her day. I even had the energy to go back to the show with my helpers and treat them to something to eat and drink whilst we watched some classes.

The other shows we attended were indeed Framlingham, where I was placed 3rd out of 5 forward, in pouring rain and mud. It was so bad that lorries were being towed INTO the lorry park! Then a small but lovely show held at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket in late July, quite a long trip but all on the A14 so straight and simple, where we came 5th out of 13 in a really strong mixed youngstock class. At both these shows she behaved like a pro, unloading and loading with no problems and travelling like a rock.

Looking back on my year, I am disappointed that she didn’t do better. In my opinion this is due to two things; her lack of “look at me” presence that her dam and sire both have in bucketloads, and her rather inextravagant movement, although it is very straight. The judge at Newmarket very kindly had a few words with me after the class to suggest that I must get her moving with more energy on trot up because she is a lovely, correct filly and that if I could improve this part of her show she would do extremely well. Bearing in mind he is a top panel judge for just about every society, I very much appreciated his comments.

However, my disappointment at her results is more than made up for by my delight at her calm temperament. And who knows, maybe a less than successful in-hand career will pave the way for great things under saddle!

My Tips for Showing a Youngster (written by a first timer!)

Practise loading well in advance of any shows. Stand your youngster on the trailer ramp, feed them in the trailer or lorry, both shut in and just standing with ramp down, small trips around the block, standing before unloading

Practise a good stand for the judge, as well as walk up and trot back (the latter obviously not well enough practised in my case!)

Bit a youngster well in advance of showing, with plenty of walking out – in our case, we had a large farmyard full of huge farm machinery, fields of “helpful” buddies galloping along the fenceline and pigs across the road. During one of these walks she spooked at something, knocked me flying and then tripped over me and landed on top - it only ended in a bruised leg for me but it taught me a lot, and if this is going to happen, get it over before doing it in front of a huge crowd of spectators!

Advance planning - know where your rings are and how you will get there, have enough people to help, book a stable - it gives you a break from holding a fidgeting youngster and makes titivating and tacking up so much easier.