Arabian Sport Horse class questions!!!

A boarder of mine wants me to take a her 2 year old Arab sport horse (Arabxhanno) gelding to his first Arab show to do the in-hand classes.

This will be my first arab show and my first in-hand class besides a few halter classes. I would like to know if we should leave his mane natural or pull it and braid it?

Do most of the 2 and under classes show in Bridle or Halter? For 2 year olds its optional but I don't want to be the only one in either or.

I don't know about the mane - I'm not in the arab "loop". Is it dressage-bred sporthorse? Or what?

As for the halter/bridle, I'd say 90% of the in-hand classes I've seen prefer 1-2 year olds in halters and 3+ year olds in bridles. Inhand hunters tend to go in bridles starting at 1 though.

If it's a local/smaller show, I'd stick with a halter since the horse is used to one.

The mane is sometimes french braided... such as they do with the arabs in dressage.

Picture:
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...-andibraid.jpg