AHS Inspection-UPDATE WITH RESULTS

[Piaffe~Passage]

Ok, So we are leaving Wednesday for the inspection that is Thursday at Leatherdales. I have original papers(She is a TB), copy of papers, coggins, health certificate, fly spray, show sheen, copy of our lease agreement, lunge line, lunge whip, boots for her. Show sheen. What else do I need? Do I need to bring braiding stuff? I am paying her to be braided and ran by someone. Ok seriously this feels, as if this is the first time ever taking a horse somewhere, but I seriously want this to go as well as it can go, and as smoothly as it can go. What am I leaving out? Besides the horse.... :D

~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE AT BOTTOM~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Clear Blue]

Do you have a five generation pedigree for her? I think I remember having to get one when I brought my TB mare to the AHS inspection.

Did you mention a bridle? I try to use reins that have a clip on them by the bit - so that you can easily take them off if you are going to let her free school.

Best of luck!

[Piaffe~Passage]

Yes have a bridle. I probably won't let her free school, unless the judges wanted to see that. I'll grab my rein clips. Five generation pedigree, no I don't have that, where can I get one? I was thinking they only needed that if they passed.

[Clear Blue]

If it is a safe environment - I always opt to free school the mares. The TB's need to score a 7 on their trot - so if it is at all questionable to get in hand you may want to consider letting her free school.

I think I called the Jockey Club for the five gen pedigree. I am sure that you can get it online as well.

[Piaffe~Passage]

I doubt the Jockey Club could get a 5 generation pedigree to me by wednesday, unfortunately, it took six months of fighting to get this mares papers back after a house fire. I'll be honest I'm new to the whole inspection thing, so free schooling means, that the judges would judge her while she was trotting loose?? I honestly think she would do better in hand. She relys alot on a person for relaxation, and knowing Swinger, she would probably just canter. As thats her favorite thing to do. Thanks clear blue for helping my 1st timer butt. ;)

[Clear Blue]

Just google the jockey club - or thoroughbred information sysytem - or put a post on the racing forum. With her registration number I am sure you can get it online for a few dollars - immediately.

Who is going to present/handle the mare? If there is a professional handler there - it may be worthwhile to ask their opinion of her trot in hand.

The first year I took my TB mare to the AHS at Hilltop farm I showed her in hand and she did not get approved because she did not make a seven (or better) for her trot score. This was the first year that some of the sites were allowing mares to be shown free. My TB mare had been an outstanding producer for me - so I decided to try again the following year. She was able to to be shown free- and got the score of 7 - and passed. She now has Hanoverian daughters, grand daughters, and great grand daughters!

[flashykatt]

I doubt the Jockey Club could get a 5 generation pedigree to me by wednesday, unfortunately, it took six months of fighting to get this mares papers back after a house fire. I'll be honest I'm new to the whole inspection thing, so free schooling means, that the judges would judge her while she was trotting loose?? I honestly think she would do better in hand. She relys alot on a person for relaxation, and knowing Swinger, she would probably just canter. As thats her favorite thing to do. Thanks clear blue for helping my 1st timer butt. ;)


You are in luck, I think! Go to http://www.brisnet.com/ , that's where you can order any type of reports on JC Reg TBs. If you are a member (which you will be, once you sign up), it looks like the free special today is a 5 generation pedigree!! You can print it up and you'll be good to go :D

[Piaffe~Passage]

Just google the jockey club - or thoroughbred information sysytem - or put a post on the racing forum. With her registration number I am sure you can get it online for a few dollars - immediately.

Who is going to present/handle the mare? If there is a professional handler there - it may be worthwhile to ask their opinion of her trot in hand.

The first year I took my TB mare to the AHS at Hilltop farm I showed her in hand and she did not get approved because she did not make a seven (or better) for her trot score. This was the first year that some of the sites were allowing mares to be shown free. My TB mare had been an outstanding producer for me - so I decided to try again the following year. She was able to to be shown free- and got the score of 7 - and passed. She now has Hanoverian daughters, grand daughters, and great grand daughters!

Thanks everyone. Swinger will be paired up with one of Leatherdales handlers Wednesday night before the inspection. Thank you for telling me the story on your mare. Great to know. Thanks keep the tips coming!

[Piaffe~Passage]

Got the pedigree on brisnet.com! Thanks everyone! Keep the tips coming. I'll need them. ;)

[Home Again Farm]

I would definitely let her go free. I am sure the surroundings will be very safe. I have seen the trot score go up 1-2 points when they are free. Good luck!!

[maple_brook]

Definitely let her go free...it will help the score!

Also, don't forget to bring a camera or camcorder. Video works best, because you can tape what the judges are saying. Most people are so nervous/excited that they don't remember to really listen to the judges comments. Video taping is great because you can go back and listen after all of the excitement is over.

Have fun and don't forget to breathe! :)

[flashykatt]

Bring as MANY people as you can convince to come. It is Not Possible to have Too Many people helping you! You will be juggling the horse, grooming stuff, whatever things you accidently left in the truck, as well as trying to find a pen, needing to use the restroom, finding a drink when you realize you're about to faint (which is probably one MORE thing you'll hafta run back to the truck for!).

The worst thing that'll happen, if you bring more help than you need, is that you and your friends will have time to watch a lot of the other mares and foals go.

Also, can you arrange for a stall or paddock for the mare? That way you dont have to hold her the whole time. Some facilities have limited numbers of stalls/paddocks, so whoever doesn't sign up in advance gets to hold the horse(s) all day.

Good luck!

[Piaffe~Passage]

Thank you everyone for all of the help/suggestions. And the reminding me to breath part! :D I am going to have someone handle her, do they still handle her if I opt for the let her go free, by which the sounds of it, I definately should. Sorry for all of the questions, I just have so many...I have a stall, so I don't have to worry about holding her all day. Thank goodness, as she wouldn't stand for that. For being twenty, she still acts two at times. Do they have people at the inspections for people like me, that are just dumb founded when it comes to this kind of stuff??? Thanks again everyone! Remember....cross every apendage you have for us on Thursday. ;)

[Piaffe~Passage]

I have plenty of great people coming with, four to be exact. Also, I plan on wearing a black shirt with a turquise(Sp?) half sleef shirt under it, with khaki pants. Does that sound to dressy? I wear it to work, I work at Wells Fargo, or do you think it's to dressy, I want to look professional. ;)

[Clear Blue]

I don't know what the weather is like in Minnesota right now - but on the east coast most of us show in a nice polo shirt and khakis. Also throw in some running shoes in case you have to help out in the ring. Maybe bring a few treats for your pocket to help you catch her when she is done free schooling.

Best of luck!

[clint]

Definitely wear a polo shirt and khakis. Running shoes are required if you run the mare, not so much if you don't. Since I don't run the mare, I wear my Ariats as I hate smashed toes, which can happen in a flurry of foal/mare activity.

[Piaffe~Passage]

Well first off, I had a blast. Wow is all I can say about Leatherdale Farms. Between the property, their horses, and their staff, it was an unforgetable experience. I had always dreamed of going there. I am sure they were having to whipe up my drool puddles after I left. :D Unfortunately my TB mare Swinger, did not pass. She did wonderful though for being 20 years old, and to me that's all that matters. We tried. She trotted her butt off. I was standing their as she was being ran thinking to myself "Ummm, didn't know she still could move like that". :) I want to thank the wonderful handler that ran her, and every other horse, she was amazing with the horses. Wow could she run. I got to see some His Highness offspring finally in person, and wow. Beautiful animals. He definately stamps his get with his neck and head. Three His Highness mares were presented in hand and a Waterford mare, Havannah L, Heiress L, Winona L and cannot remember for the life of me the Champion mares name. The mares tended to be more on the fine boned side, and the one gelding I saw, named Harry, was HUGE. Two years old and HUGE, but wow just standing in his stall. The His Higness filly took Champion mare. She was very nice. I didn't get to see her move as I was running around, but a very feminine mare. Beautiful to say the least. I saw a Bugatti Hilltop mare that was beautiful. She was doing the mare performance test. Very nice girl. Only one doing the MPT. For the foals I saw, a Donnersohn baby, Sir Donnerhall yearling, Fabuleax(Sp?) colt(Took "Champion foal" as the inspector called it), a really nice Pablo colt.

It was an amazing experience, and I'd do it again, even though Swinger didn't pass, which I went half expecting she wouldn't, I had a wonderful time. If I knew how to post pictures I would!

Swingers scores as follows:
Head: 7
Neck:6
Saddle Position: 7
Frame: 7
Foreleg: 6
Hindleg: 5
Conformation: 6
Typiness, Feminity: 7
Impulsion, Elasticity: 7
Walk: 6
Overall Impression: 6
Final score of 6.5

Hey we tried, as I said above, I went into this knowing there was a big chance she wouldn't get approved. I had to say I at least tried. It was very fun, and definately do not regret bringing her. Thanks to leatherdales!