Pleasure show questions. First timer.

[deltawave]

So I've gotten the prize list for my first-ever pleasure driving show and mini-clinic. :) I even have that weekend off, which certainly helps, too! Pony is going along with the new cart and I'm excited to do something new showing horses . . . well, a pony. :D

Few questions:
1. What is a "Jack Benny" class?
2. My cart is pretty humble--black metal "easy entry" style with wire wheels, nothing fancy. My harness is humble (but sturdy and safe) biothane, Amish-made. Will they laugh at me if I do a "turnout" class? It's all for experience and I don't mind about placing, but is it something that's just "not done"?
3. If my son comes along, can he do a "junior" class with me riding alongside? He's not ready to drive on his own, and I may have to help--is this allowed?
4. What is a "working" class? (the 3 options are turnout, reinsmanship and working)
5. Do I need a false martingale?
6. Are my fleece breastcollar and saddle pad tacky and inappropriate? :uhoh: :lol:

Thanks, sorry if they're dumb noob questions.

[sk_pacer]

Only answer I have for you is Jack Benny Class - participants must be at least 39 years old, preferably MUCH older. The rest is pretty much up to the show committee - there should be rule clarification in the catalogue and that includes what is appropriate or not for the horse to be wearing.
Fleece/fuzzy breast collar covers, buzton covers, martingale covers etc are tacky. but I am old. You should have something absorbent for the back pad, preferably a dark colour so it doesnt show dust from the ring...even before fancy backpads, we used to roll up towels to go under the tree. Oh and remember, I only dealt with race horses and roadsters, so the tack colours must be dark, any fleece must be in your driving colours, etc. :)

[deltawave]

at least 39 years old, preferably MUCH older

Well, I qualify, but not by "MUCH". ;)

The prize list is pretty sparse on rules and requirements, and I *just* got the ADS rulebook today, but haven't QUITE read it cover to cover yet. :lol:

[twofatponies]

The show organizers will probably be more than happy to answer lots of questions - I've found driving people usually super helpful!

I've only been to two pleasure shows (loads of fun!), and didn't run into those questions, so I can't help otherwise!

[paohatch]

You may wish to visit the American Driving Society webpage. It has great definitions of Working and Reinsmanship classes.

Also Jack Benny.. is just that... older individuals :-)

[goodhors]

You will want to ask on your wheels. Not sure what they have for rules on wire-spoked wheels with hard rubber or air-filled tires. Can't remember what you said new cart had.

I would remove the fuzzy stuff from harness for showing. Synthetic harness should not be any problem. Very clean, with metal polished, both sides of buckles or metal parts. Martingale use is your choice, with or without is OK. If breastcollar bubbles out in halts, lifts up much, I would use the martingale to keep it in place.

There is commonly nothing under the well-fitting saddle pad, no towels, no fuzzies. No rein rings on the breeching suspender strap location, as Amish often use. Checkrein is optional, should allow horse to be comfortable in his work if used. Reins are brown the whole length, should be long enough to sit on the buckle to keep ends out of your way. Carriage bridles should have a full noseband or cavesson, going all the way around the head. You can black or polish the hooves if you wish, or do nothing. Forelocks are often braided then tucked to one side, to keep hair out of the bridle buckles and horse eyes. Ear covers are permitted, I always braid forelocks under them to keep hair in place. Forlocks can be left untouched if you like.

Any Jr driver, (under 18yrs) is REQUIRED by ADS rules, to have a person over 18yrs, riding with them in a carriage at all times. Junior driver MUST be wearing good-fitting, Approved helmet with chinstrap fastened when in a carriage. All drivers are expected to carry a whip while driving, with one or two handed rein holds, both legal. Whip lash should reach the animal's shoulder when you hold whip, no butt tapping with whip to start him. Voice commands totally legal, just firm sounding, no shouting them!

Turnout class is judged by the appropriatness of the horse to vehicle choice, suitable harness to that vehicle, clothing of driver. Kind of a "dress-up" class. Fancy clothing would be less appropriate to a Runabout than it would be in a Gig. Church clothes type of attire, with both genders always wearing a hat or helmet, apron or laprobe. Brown gloves. Judge gets to be picky in their choices, as to what is "most" correct in relation to the other parts, with style of horse, vehicle, etc. Polishing does count here. Anyone can enter, but the best combination is Judge's choice.

Working means you should expect to do some walk-trot to show your gaits in that class. Reinsmanship or Ladies, Gentleman, Junior, To Drive classes usually have to do some small pattern or exercise the Judge tells them, get graded on skills shown as horse works.

Reading your ADS rules will give you MUCH more detail on each of those classes and what is expected from the exhibitor. We have found the Junior classes to be fun for the kids. Sometimes you have a number of kids show up, with horses, ponies and minis, gets competitive! Boys too!!

You might want to look at some of the other classes, Pleasure Marathon is a drive around the grounds. Could be fun as well, letting him tool you around. Some of the games like cones, just as fun things.

Oh yeah. Those plastic shelf liner rolls, work to keep your rear end in place on vinyl seats over bumps and around corners! We have black, matches our seat, holds you on the seat in fancy clothes. Goodwill is a easy place to find boy's jackets. Navy or black is always correct with tan pants, no slip shoes or maybe clean cowboy boots if he has some already. Dress shirt and tie.

Call or write to the name on show list, ask your questions early.

[pricestory]

No fuzzys.
No checkrein, side rein is ok but none is better.
Noseband is required.
Whip in hand, brown gloves, apron, hat or helmet.
They may ask for spares. Look at the Pleasure Marathon section of the rulebook for what they want.
Wire wheels are not allowed in ADS shows. Ask to be sure about yours.
In all classes you can be asked for 3 trots and a back. Know how to salute in case the judge asks.
They usually reverse across the ring. Try to watch a class before yours.
For working, think about hunter on the flat. It is looking at how your horse/pony goes.
Good luck and a big smile goes a long way.

[deltawave]

Check, check, check on everything but spares. Hadn't thought of that! Spare what--tire? :lol: Not much else to the outfit. :p I'll probably be able to scrounge a trace, a rein, some tools, a knife, etc. but need a nifty place to put them. Hmmm.

Thanks for ALL the advice; now that my board recertification exam is done I can read for fun without guilt. ADS Rulebook is 2nd on the list behind the incredibly dense novel I've been hacking away at (guiltily) for 2 months!

goodhors, you going to the MHDVA Blue Ribbon show/clinic? That's the show I'm talking about. :)

[Christa P]

Check with the show to make sure your cart is legal. If it is a local fun show you should be fine, but, except for a few beginner classes, the wire bicycle type wheels are not allowed in recognized shows.

Christa

[goodhors]

At this point, we are planning to attend the show. Probably only one day though.

You can gather all your spares into a small, wicker picnic basket type container with a lid. An old leather briefcase works. We have a roll-up case for the small items, just dropped in with the spare halters and shoes needed for Multiples. Keeps things neat and contained. Just make sure case or basket is fastened to the vehicle (floor is good) so it won't fall off.

[KellyS]

Well, first of all, have fun! :) Here are some thoughts on turnout and classes:

Carriage
As was said earlier, check on the wire wheels. If the show is following ADS rules, they are not allowed, or may only be allowed in the Novice classes. Carriage should be clean, and paint touched-up if needed. You'll need to have a place to put your number--most people use a number holder (http://www.drivingessentials.com/number_holders.htm) attached to the axle or back of the carriage.

Harness
Again, very clean! Makes cleaning bridles/saddles seem like a breeze! :D We find that a little bit of Pledge on a rag gives our Zilco harness a nice "glow." Bridle should have an appropriate driving bit--liverpool, butterfly, or, if a snaffle, half-cheek or Wilson--and a plain noseband. Reins should be brown and run through the neck strap and saddle terrets. If the neck strap does not have terrets, it's safer to run the reins under the neck strap to keep them from catching on the the shaft tip. If any pad is used under the saddle, it should be dark and not fuzzy. :)

Fit is really important--when traces are in draft, tugs should be against saddle, not in front or back of it. Breeching should not to too tight or loose in draft; breeching should come to point of stifle. Etc...

Pony
Braids are optional. Goodhors mentioned braiding the forelock and I like doing this! Keeps hair out of the eyes. :) No braiding the tail! I like banging the tail--makes it look fuller and neater (the eventer coming out in me). We use hoof oil on feet; baby oil on face (just muzzle). Lots of fly spray in the summer (but this on before you put on harness).

You
Apron, gloves, and whip are required. If I remember correctly, your pony is a pinto, so I'd go with a color scheme that is quiet and doesn't compete with your pony. No Kentucky Derby-type hats, but not a floppy straw one either. Tidy/neat is the way to go with hat and clothes. I like comfortable flats for shoes. Wear something else and leave your "showing" shoes in the carriage to keep them clean. Put them on right before you get in. No billowing skirts and blouse/jacket should be fitted. A scarf tucked in around the neckline looks nice.

Here are some pics from Walnut Hill--they may give you some ideas about what to wear: http://www.walnuthillfarm.com/gallery2007/index.html. You don't want your outfit to overpower your carriage turnout (ie, you'd want more of a country casual look over a formal look).

Other Stuff
We don't do a lot of pleasure showing anymore, but typically in turnout classes they checked for a spares kit (http://www.drivingessentials.com/spares%20kits.htm), halter & lead, and a cooler/rain sheet. You may not need to do this, but it doesn't hurt to have them neatly packed in a basket under the seat (in some carriages, you don't need a basket and can put them in the back of the carriage or under the box).

The Classes
The basics--you need a halt, walk, back, and 3 trots--slow, working, and extended (road) trot. :) The working class is going to focus on gaits and manners; turnout is going to focus on, well, turnout; and reinsmanship is going to focus on how you drive (like equitation). You can learn a lot by watching the other divisions' classes go.

Finally, it is almost imperative to have a person on the ground to help you--whether it's heading the pony while you hook and get in the carriage or grabbing something you need once you are in the carriage. Horse that get loose when hooked to a carriage are the most dangerous thing at a driving show, hence there are 3 cardinal Don'ts at driving shows:
1. Never tie a hitched horse to anything
2. Always have someone in the carriage when the horse is hitched
3. Never take a bridle off a horse that is hitched

Good luck and make sure you take pictures! :)

[deltawave]

Thanks again for all the great advice. I think I'm going to be, if not polished, at least proper and legal. :) A ground person might be a challenge, unless I can convince somebody to come along. My 8yo son might--he'd be a good gofer and can hold the pony in a pinch. My mom is making him an itty bitty driving apron (matches mine!) in case I can convince him to do a class with me. :D

The pony is so small I can literally hold her bridle and put her to at the same time, but I do realize that's probably not kosher. :uhoh:

I've got a quote on some "legal/proper" wooden wheels for the cart, but don't plan on getting those until I get my bonus (assuming there IS one) in July. So if I can only do "Novice" classes at this show, that's OK--it's where we belong, after all!