Irish Middleweight Coloured Gelding

Question:

I have a  16.2 6 yr Irish middleweight coloured gelding.  He is built to do most things, but as regards to showing, I don’t know what classes to aim him at; he has a very soft mouth and I don’t want to over bit him too quickly. He’s in a happy mouth straight bar .

So what class, what tack and what do I wear? Also would you recommend chaps? See photos below (click to enlarge):

Answer from Claire:
Hi and thanks for your question. You could show him in local hunter classes and coloured classes to gain experience.  You would also register with Chaps as a non traditional horse.  They have many classes throughout the season, ending with their championship show.In novice classes you could show him in the happy mouth snaffle and then progress to a happy mouth pelham.
The bridle should be plain leather with a plain brow band.The saddle looks a good fit but for showing you really need a saddle with normal girth straps and not a dressage one.  The girth should be brown, if possible leather and the nummah either a plain brown cloth or sheepskin to fit the saddle, not a square saddle cloth.
Your horse looks to be well trimmed, ears and whiskers, the tail should be pulled and a couple of inches off the tail.

You would wear a tweed jacket, hunting cap , beige breeches, black leather boots, spurs, plain showing cane, gloves, a shirt with a white collar and tie.

Hope this is some help and please do not hesitate to contact again if we can be of any more help.

Claire