Ask the Expert – Showing Claire Oliver

Question: Dear Claire, I have a rising 4YO Trakehner gelding whom I expect to make 16hh/16.1hh, once he is of age, I would love to do some ridden showing. I am aware of the height restrictions on hack and riding horse classes so I am after advice as to which classes I may be able…

Question: Hi Claire, I have recently bought a new horse and wish to start showing with her. She has been beautifully produced and although she is only 6 years old, she has been to the big shows in England, and done well [always in the ribbons] I haven’t partaken in much showing at all, apart…

Question to Claire Oliver: Hello I have a 4 year old Welsh section D cob who I am schooling at the moment and have been to 4 shows with him.  I am hoping to continue showing but would like to try a Pelham on him but not sure which one to try, can you help…

Question: Hi Claire, I hope you can help, I have been out of the showing circuit for many years now however, I have bought two very different but lovely horses & would like to get back in to it, my only problem is I have forgotten what to wear & what my horse should wear….…

Question: Hi I have a cob cross foal that I want to show in yearling classes next year. He is not going to be heavy. He will make around 15.2hh and long legged. Therefore do I show him as a lightweight cob (he currently has quite a bit of feather) or show him more as…

Question: Hello, I’m going to be showing my welsh section D yearling gelding in a couple of weeks, and have decided to try out the “ridden pony/working hunter youngstock” class.. I was wondering if his mane needs to be plaited? I’ve plaited him up a couple of times for practice, but as he has a…

Question: Hi, I have a stunning Donnerhall Oldenburg who is 15 this year so aiming for the Olympia veteran classes. He is very dark brown/ black so what colour tack should he go in? He is fine in a double , would a raised nose and and coloured browband be best? Thanks, Sue Answer from…

Question: Hi Clare, I was wondering if I could have some advice. I’m going to start showing my skewbald 8 month old filly this show season and was just wondering what classes I could do with her and does she need trimming and plaiting?  I was going to start at local level then progress on…

Question: Hi Claire, I would be grateful for some advice. I have a TB Ex racehorse that I would like to show at local, then county and possibly the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class. I am planning on wearing brown tweed, beige coloured browband and brown tack with pelham. Also, what quarter markers are correct…

Question: Hi I have just bought a registered Welsh Sec D 2 year old filly and plan to do some in hand showing this summer. What should she be wearing? What should I wear? Should the filly be trimmed in any way or just left natural? Thanks, Anna Answer from Claire Oliver: You should be…

Question: Dear Claire, This is my rising 6 year old Irish Sports Horse gelding, he is 16hh. I would like to start showing him this year, what class would you recommend for him for his build? We seem to have Riding Horse or Ridden Hunter classes around my location but not so much lightweight Hunter,…

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…

Question: Hi Claire, I wondered if I could call upon your advice as I’m getting conflicting messages from friends! I’m hoping to embark on my first attempt at showing and have entered a ridden hunter class with a riding judge listed. To clarify does that mean I will not be expected to perform an individual…

Question: Hi, I was just wondering what show gear I should wear I’m going to be showing a white Irish draught and a skewbald registered sports horse but I’m not 100% sure what to wear for riding or in hand Answer from Claire: Dear Rebeka To show your horse in hand a collar and tie,…

Question: Hi, I’ve owned my 8yr old IDx gelding for just over 2 years now and I’d really like to know more about showing and what class/classes you think we should look to do. I’ve no experience in this area but really would like to give it ago. Any help/suggestions as to what is expected…

Question: “I’d love some advice on in-hand and (in-time) ridden showing classes with my registered welsh section a, Sid (Pentymel Celyn). He is a cracking looking little pony (in my opinion) he has one sque-wiff back foot though- if his hind feet were hands on a clock they would read 11 oclock (hope that makes…

“Can you give me tips on showing my cob in ridden classes.  It’s completely new to me and so is the horse.  I don’t know what I should wear, nor what he should wear!” Answer from Claire: “In cob classes the cob should be shown in either a double bridle or Pelham.  The bridle should…

Question: Hi Claire, I have been lucky enough to qualify for a National finals on my AQH in the Foreign breeds class and the Palomino / dun/ roans and spotted class. The judge at the qualifying show mentioned he would be better shown in a Pelham or double bridle, which is fine, but now I…