Beginner’s In-hand Showing Tips
We encourage you to have a go! Here are a few tips to help you on your way.

Make sure that both pony and handler are neat, clean and well turned out.

The handler should wear a hard hat and gloves. A Beagler hat is a favourite, but a very young handler is probably best in a harnessed hat.

Suitable footwear must be worn.

Ideally the handler needs a tweed jacket. A good one is not itchy and they are available lined and with velvet collars - particularly Pretty Ponies made jackets.

Some judges do not like children using chains and they should be used with care.

Numnahs should not be used in the Showing Ring, but if you must have one, make it small, discreet and the same colour as the pony or the saddle.

A riding bridle is acceptable for in-hand showing but it should be plain.

A handler 10 years and under must be accompanied by an adult but not helped in this class.
Turnout is secondary in these classes but good presentation looks best.

Colts or stallions are not allowed.

A junior handler’s job is to show the pony off to best advantage.

Little things like saying "Good Morning" or "Thank you” may seem a bit funny, but will make the judge smile and feel good.

When leading the pony/horse the handler should be positioned next to the animal’s shoulder or just a little in front.

The handler should be able to get the animal trotting alongside him/her rather than be 'dragged along'. If the pony trots up happily, hold the lead rein/reins about half way down to give the pony’s head freedom to move.

Make sure to walk/trot in a straight line and do not stop the trot in front of the judge or at a corner but continue trotting towards the back of the line then walk the pony into the line.

Always make sure you turn the pony away from rather than towards yourself.

When waiting in the line or standing in front of the judge make sure the pony stands square or with one back hoof slightly further back than the other.

Always stand facing the pony, not at its side and try to keep it engaged with ears forward especially when it is in front of the judge.

Young handler classes are judged on the handler’s ability to show his/her pony in-hand and carry out simple tasks such as pick up a hoof and lead the pony round a set course if required.

Walk round actively with your pony, make sure he is awake and stands square even in line up.

Bring the pony out awake, stand in front of him and encourage him to be alert and flex.

Walk swiftly away from the judge and turn pony away in a loop at the top and trot back swiftly straight for judge round to the back.

Stop, stand and salute (or nod).
Be alert at all times.

In Hand Showing Procedure
At the start of the in-hand showing class the horses and ponies enter the ring and proceed to walk clockwise around the ring one after the other with the handler on the outer side (left side) of the horse or pony. The horse or pony is always nearest to the judge during in-hand showing so that the judge has a clear view of the horse or pony.

Horses and ponies should be well spaced apart so as not to interfere with or unsettle each other should one misbehave. The judge will look for a long, free striding walk so, if showing a horse, avoid entering the ring behind a small pony that will be walking slower and restrict the pace of the horse. If the horse or pony begins to get closer to the horse or pony in front, then walk into the corners of the ring rather than cut the corners, to increase the gap in front.

After a while the steward or judge will stop a horse or pony being walked around the ring and ask others to stop behind it. The first horse or pony is then trotted around the ring to the back of the other competitors. The trot should be active and free moving, requiring the handler to run fast, particularly when showing large horses in hand. The horse or pony should not break into canter. The next horse or pony will then be asked to trot around the ring until it reaches the back of the other competitors and this is repeated for all horses and ponies in the in-hand class.

Once all horses and ponies have trotted around the ring individually, the whole class is asked to continue to walk around the ring. It is best to wait until the horse in front has taken a few strides before proceeding to walk to ensure a space is left between each horse and pony.

The steward or judge will then beckon individual horses or ponies, one by one, into a line up in the centre of the ring. Therefore it is important to keep one eye on the steward whilst walking around so as not to miss being called into the line-up.

Each horse or pony is then individually called forward to stand before the judge so that the judge can have a good look over the animal.

The horse or pony is then required to perform an individual show, consisting of walking away from the judge in a straight line, turning around and then trotting back to and past the judge in a straight line. This should be achieved by walking a straight line with the handler on the left side of the horse or pony, veering off slightly towards the left before turning right with the handler on the outside so that the horse or pony is always closest to the judge, and then returning onto the straight line to the judge and asking for trot

The trot should be maintained in a straight line heading directly towards the judge. The judge will step out of the way as the horse or pony approaches and the trot should be maintained on that straight line after passing the judge. The judge will step back into place to watch from behind as the horse or pony is trotted away. The horse or pony should continue to be trotted around to the back of the lineup, brought back down to walk and returned to its position in the lineup.

The next horse or pony will then be called forward to be presented to the judge.

Once each horse or pony has performed its individual in-hand show the class will be asked to walk clockwise around the ring again with the handler on the outside. The steward or judge will then beckon individual horses or ponies, one by one, into a line up in the centre of the ring for the final placings and award of rosettes.