[My Beau]

My Oldenburg filly will be going on her first outings this spring. She's 10 months old and very level headed... but we're still just going for the experience, not for ribbons (although I won't argue with any!).

I found a local show series about 1/2 an hour from our house that offers "2 & under" classes. They have conformation and model. My question is: what's the difference?

Aside from USDF breed shows, I've never shown inhand. Especially not at hunter shows (I ride dressage/event).

I plan on emailing the show assoc to see how they do things, but until I hear from them, I figured you guys could give me a general run-down.

 

[White Foot]

Hmm I'm not sure what you mean by. "what's the difference?"

As far as showing in hand if you can the best thing to do is to go and watch someone and go behind the scenes. You learn so much more that way.

I helped out a friend that showed her 'youngin in hand and it was very chaotic. She had three so the night before we stayed up all night putting button braids in and keeping them clean. I don't know how many people will be showing in the class your entering, when I was at the show people and horses were walking in and out and up and down the isles. Everything moved so face paced. The horses were great but then again they did it before, if your horse hasn't be ready for him to be jumpy. Or he might be perfect.

All in all once it was over I enjoyed it xD



Do you plan on showing in hand yourself or hiring a handler to do it for you? If it's your first time I would invest in a handler. Or watch videos of professional handlers.

 

[My Beau]

Sorry, I meant what is the difference between a conformation class and a model class.

I'm going to be showing her myself, I showed her at her GOV inspection and have showed other yearlings at USDF/FEH shows. We'll be getting to the show early enough to walk her around to see everything and I'll check out the classes before hers (the yearlings go last).

According to the show results from last season, there were only 2-3 yearlings in the class per show. So, it's not a really busy class. It is a multi-day show... however, we're just taking her down for a day.

I'm prepared for the worst and hoping for the best