BRIEF INTRO TO:

SHOWING WITH FULL MOON FARM

Compiled by: Kate Plaut

• This does not attempt to give all info related to showing . To really learn , you have to go to a few shows, both at FMF and away to get a general idea of what this show thing is all about.

• There are books out on the subject. The Pony Club Books are a good place to start.

• There are various types of horse shows. Hunter/ Jumper is the most common. This is the type of show described below.
• Showing is an all day affair. Your day can begin as early as 5:00 AM and end as late as 9:00 PM. You also need to allow time the day before to get your tack and your horse ready.
• Plan on bringing: Chairs and blankets, snacks, lunch and drinks or money to buy food. Most places do sell food. Hey, why not get together and have a tailgate party.

FMF IN-HOUSE HORSE SHOW

FMF has an In-House Show . This show is a very casual , relaxed fun way to show. Those who enter are only the students from FMF. Show attire is any clean and neat riding pants ,boots ,and helmet normally worn in lessons. FMF asks that the top be a clean, neat, white shirt of any style. However, if this poses a problem ,use your common sense. Make an effort to be presentable. The goal here is fun and no pressure.

The actual classes , or events , that the student riders will show in will be determined by Miss Karen. This way there will be a class to meet everyone’s needs . These may be classes offered in any show or be classes unique to FMF’s show.

NOTE : Expect to show in classes that are below the level of riding you have in your lessons. For example: if you have just begun jumping a course of fences, you will be showing on the flat , or maybe in a class with only one or two jumps.

Expect some preparation the day before the show as well as the day of the show. As with any show, horses may be shared, which means preparation is shared among each person riding that particular horse.

FEES: Use of Horse-Includes use of horse, fee can be shared if horse is shared.

Coaching Fee- This includes overall availability of a FMF instructor on the day of the show. They will help in anyway from adjusting stirrups to giving instruction over warm up fences to helpful hints from the rail during the actual class. Note : Because of space and time restrictions at any show, do not expect to be able to ride your mount before your class.

Entry Fees – For each class & /or division shown in you pay so much money to enter, in other words, to ride and show your horse to hopefully place and therefore win a ribbon.

TRI-COUNTY SHOWS

• Tri-County show is another type of show unique to Full Moon Farm and the other riding facilities that participate. For the 2002 show season the other farms participating in the Tri-County show circuit are: Oatlands, Garrison Forest, and Tranquility. The farms are subject to change from year to year.
• For each year, you can become a member of the Tri-County Show. As a member you are will receive points for each ribbon won at a Tri-County show. If you are interested in becoming a member of this unique show circuit , or have further questions, please ask Miss Karen for details.(E-mailing her is a great way to contact her; however, you still need to give her a few days to respond).
• Reminder : your instructor will advise you about the classes/division to enter. Most likely it will be under the level of riding you are in for lessons.

The attire for a Tri-County show can be as casual as for a FMF show , or as formal as for any other hunter/jumper show you may wish to participate in ( See next section). In the Tri-County shows you will see both and some mix-n-match such as black breeches(which are not allowed in a standard show) with a navy show jacket.

Tri-County shows will be held at each of the participating farms. This means in addition to the use –of –horse fee and coaching fee there will be a transportation fee .Also entry fees for each class/division entered. There will be preparation the day before such as grooming and bathing your horse, braiding the mane and possibly tail and cleaning tack. Also, plan on arriving at FMF earlier and leaving later if the show is at another farm. We are a team, so plan on not only arriving to the show together, but also leaving the show together.

NOTE to parents: The In –House Show and the Tri-County Shows are great opportunities for your child to learn what showing is all about! SO, the more you can let them do on their own, no matter how long it takes them, the more your child will learn and eventually be able to do on their own.

OTHER HUNTER/JUMPER SHOWS

Other shows cover numerous levels of abilities of both horse and rider. All have a standard dress code which is adhered to. They usually cost more than the In-House and Tri-County shows. You can become a member of various show organizations. FMF does participate in these other types of shows. See schedule on board in barn for when and where.

Fees may vary , check board for details.

Show attire must be followed.

• Jacket Black or Dark Blue Hunt/Show jacket.
• Breeches or jodhpurs any shade of beige or neutral color. ( NO dark colors, pastel colors, riding tights etc.) For Under 10 yr jodhpurs or breeches with paddock boots OK but must have a garter strap.
• Top: A rat catcher shirt with a stock pin or an oxford shirt with a tie.
• Helmet ASTM approved in black. Helmet covers discouraged. Hair is to be up under your helmet or in braids.
• Gloves optional.
• Boots: Tall black boots. Black field boots acceptable

MISS KAREN ,MISS KAREN…

Why do I have to stay all day? When you show, you are showing as a rider of the Full Moon Farm Team. We are all in this together. We stay to support and help one another during the show AND to help one another to clean up after the show. THINK- would you like to be the one with the last class, have everyone gone , and be stuck having to put away the horse you may have shared with someone else ,plus your tack, etc.-NO.

What do I do at the show when I am not showing? Help where needed, eat , drink , watch other classes and learn , help, hang out with others of your team, stay out of trouble, help where /if needed.

Can I leave early, or arrive late? Usually not. Speak with Miss Karen about the reason why , but do not count on it. Showing is an all day affair.

How do I know which classes to show in? Find out from your instructor before the day of the show which classes/division you will be in.

How do I know what time I show? There is no way to give times as to when the classes will be. The timing of the show depends primarily on the judge. You will have to listen to the announcer and pay attention to what class is in the ring.

The classes are usually posted by the place where you register. Usually, the shows run in the order listed in the program. HOWEVER, sometimes the order of classes will be changed. You need to pay attention to the announcer. Also, go and watch the classes to see how fast they are going.

When do I get ready? The more you show the better you will become at knowing when to get yourself and your horse ready. By the division before yours you should be thinking about getting ready. But once again, pay attention. If there four classes in the division and one or two of the classes are over fences and there are sixteen horses in that division , vs. four classes of no OF and only 5 riders it will make a difference as to when you get ready! Ultimately , it is your responsibility to get to your classes in a timely fashion. At many shows the announcer will call an "on –deck" warning for the next class , so you at least have some warning.

How many divisions can I enter? It depends on your age, and what division you are already in. No, you may not enter all divisions! For example if you ride in the Hopeful Hunter Division you may not ride in the JR Equitation Division. Also, the division(s) you ride in are at the discretion of the FMF instructors.

OK, do I have to show in all the division classes? No. One of the fine coaching staff of Full Moon Farm will direct you as to what classes you can enter.

SOME DEFINITIONS

Attire- required dress when showing

Champion- the rider with the most points in each division.

Classes- what each rider actually shows their horse in. If a flat class(no jumping) the announcer will give directions as to what the judge wants the riders to do, such as walk, reverse etc. Classes are the judged parts of the show. A group of classes makes up a division( See sample program) .

Division-A group of same type classes. See program sample.

Equitation-the form of the rider. How the person looks while riding.

Judge- the official person who by their knowledge and educated opinion determines the outcome of each class. i.e. 1^st , 2^nd , 3^rd etc place.

OF-stands for over fences , i.e. jumping. You will need to memorize the course you will be jumping. The courses for the show will be posted for you to look at.

Place- To win a ribbon in a class

Ribbons – Can be 1^st through 8^th place. Each place is assigned a point value to be totaled after each division is completed. Within each division there is also a Champion and Reserve Champion ribbon awarded.

Rat – catcher- the type of collar with the extra piece(rat-catcher) worn for showing ,it can be either long or short sleeved .

Reserve Champion- the runner-up in any given division.

Simple Changes- your horse is permitted no more than 2-3 trot steps in order to change leads while jumping a course of fences

US-stands for under saddle, means riding on the flat , no jumping, also known as a hack class