Where to show?

[snappycroc]

We have a nice totally home produced pony ( not a been there and done it)ridden on the lead by our 4 year old little girl.He does really well locally,and we have tried some bigger shows where hes only done well once..We find it hard due to work commitments to travel too far so like the local shows and to support their charities.Our dilemma is people think we are too good for local because we usually do well.We have only learnt over the years by watching others and picking up tips,which has in turn helped us.Where are we supposed to go? It was upsetting for our little one to hear some nasty comments recently at a show,she’s still learning and needs practice! She loves riding,all disciplines,and the pony is teaching her well.We don’t want to put her off..

[Philippa]

That’s such a shame. I hate it when people are like that. Have a look at NCPA and find your local area branch. They hold classes for everyone and they have special classes for NCPA members only. Then there’s the NPS & BSPS. All have local area shows. Check the websites out. You do the right thing by watching and learning and you may find it’s more pleasurable to be placed in good company than to win in bad. And it’s even better when you start to win in good company. Good luck.

[snappycroc]

Thankyou .

[janetbushell]

Don't know where about in the country you are snappycroc but NCPA have a whole host of classes aimed at the younger riders on LR & also when first going solo

Email [e-mail] if you would like any more help
&/or visit our website www.thencpa.co.uk

[honeypot]

First congratulations to you and your daughter LR is hard and you are obviously doing it well. I think a lot of the bad comments come from people that have no idea of your circumstances, you must look like you do a lot of showing, so they assume you do.
I think most of us try to do showing along with other things, when they are small there may be only the LR and best turned out to do, but as she gets older hang around and do the handy pony or get someone to take her over the clear round. Find out what PC and riding clubs there are and what they can offer,
I live in an area where showing even at the local level is very 'professional' looking, its the first thing I noticed when we moved here. I would try your local agricultural shows, as they are a family day out and you get a mix of local and competitors from further a field. Over the winter months most of the show societies have and indoor show centres hold them, again you get a mix of people at varying levels.
We never had smart ponies and I was always happy to be last if its a good class, but my daughters worked on their show and we could usually managed a place in really good company. One year we were Champion at a local show but my 'best' rosette was when she was sixth at dressage and she was the only child in a class over 20.

[snappycroc]

Thankyou everyone.Will try the NCPA and other things going on locally