Show Date

Sat, Apr 18, 2026

Email:

thesmilingthoroughbred@gmail.com

Website:

www.myridinglife.com

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Show Secretary: Manes & Tails Show Secretary

Hampshire,
Email: ponieswheelydown@gmail.com

Show Information

Join us at Wood Farm, Bramdean for the first in a unique showing series.
This show is built on welfare, kind horsemanship, fairness and transparency, and, using a quantitative judging system that evaluates each horse on its own merit, ensuring consistency and objectivity.
Scoring is based on clearly defined criteria, including individual set show, body condition score (BCS), presentation, husbandry, conformation, soundness, movement, an appropriate look for age, and a unique category celebrating the human–horse partnership: What Your Horse Means to You.
This latter category recognizes the bond between horse and handler, allowing exhibitors to share their horse’s story and the role they play as a partner, teacher, or companion. Throughout all sections, emphasis is placed on humane care, age-appropriate appearance and training, and long-term wellbeing.
This show celebrates responsible horsemanship, meaningful partnerships, and horses presented with integrity, placing welfare, fairness, and connection at the heart of competition.

Payment Details & Event Fees

(mixed: in hand and ridden) class with a maximum of 10 entries.
Pre-entries only. £25/entry. Entries via myridinglife.

Terms & Conditions

SHOW RULES & SCORING FRAMEWORK

1) Purpose & Principles
This show promotes kind horsemanship, responsible care, and the human–horse partnership. Judging prioritises welfare, fairness, and transparency. All classes are scored against clearly defined criteria (Please see section 5).
Each Horse/Pony will be judged by two Judges.
Judge A: Mrs Marie Slater.
Judge B: Dr Veronica Fowler.

2) Eligibility & Entry
- Open to horses/ponies (and other equines) of all breeds and types.
- Horses/Ponies should be free from infectious disease. This includes juvenile warts.
- Any horse/pony with visible injury will be refused entry into the arena.
- By entering, competitors agree to abide by these rules.

3) Attire, Tack & Equipment
- Safety-first attire including approved helmets (required for ridden).
- Clean, well-fitted tack; no prohibited or coercive devices (including anything that makes an artificial noise).
- Neat, workmanlike rider/handler turnout.
- Colts 2 years and older should be handled in appropriate equipment based on their behaviour around other horses/ponies.

4) Horse Welfare & Conduct
- No abusive handling, excessive aids, or prohibited substances.
- Judges may excuse any distressed, lame, or unsafe horse.
- Yearlings must not be shod.
- Whiskers must not be removed.
- Clipping of youngstock is not allowed. Trimming under the jawline is permitted.
- Subtle use of makeup is permitted, but nothing that changes the appearance of the horse/pony
- Scars/blemishes will not detract from scores and should not be deliberately hidden.
- Cooling-off period recommended.

5) Judging Overview & Scores (Total 100 pts)
1. Individual Set Show – 20 pts
A planned sequence demonstrating transitions, balance, and ringcraft appropriate to the class
2. Body Condition Score – 15 pts Appropriate body condition for type, age, workload, and class; neither under- nor overweight.
3. Presentation – 10 pts Cleanliness, grooming, tack fit/cleanliness, handler/rider turnout.
4. Husbandry – 15 pts Evidence of good care and management—feet, coat, mane/tail, teeth (if visible), general wellbeing.
5. Conformation – 5 pts Structure and proportions suited to type and function; symmetry; correctness of limbs.
6. Soundness – 10 pts Free from lameness or gait irregularities; willingness and comfort in movement.
7. Movement – 5 pts Rhythm, straightness, impulsion, suppleness, and transitions relevant to the class.
8. Age-Appropriate Look – 10 pts Development appropriate to stated age, neither over-produced nor immature for the ask.
9. What Your Horse Means to You – 10 pts Short statement or brief in‑ring interview (see Section 9) celebrating the partnership. Assessed on clarity, authenticity, welfare awareness, and partnership evidence.

6) Category Definitions
- Individual Set Show: balance, transitions, welfare friendly ringcraft. Content: Must include walk, trot, transitions, a change of rein, a circle both reins, and a halt. Can include canter for ridden exhibits. Assessment: Accuracy, rhythm, impulsion, balance, ringcraft, obedience, and overall presentation. Time Limit: 90–120 seconds ridden; In-hand classes: 60–90 seconds.
- BCS: appropriate weight for type and workload. Assessment: Condition appropriate to type and workload. Penalise visible ribs with poor topline (under‑conditioned) or crestiness/fat pads (over‑conditioned). Note: BCS is judged in context; a healthy, athletic range for the class is prioritised.
- Presentation: grooming, cleanliness, tack fit. Assessment: Cleanliness of horse, grooming quality, mane/tail management, hooves, clean fitting tack, and rider/handler turnout. Penalties: Dirty tack or unsafe fit may incur deductions or elimination if welfare is compromised.
- Husbandry: evidence of routine care and welfare. Assessment: Evidence of routine care—hoof condition, coat/skin health, appropriate weight management, considerate clipping, and overall wellbeing. Note: Judges may ask brief questions to confirm routine care (e.g., farriery schedule).
- Conformation: structural correctness and type. Assessment: Breed/type-appropriate proportions, shoulder/hip angles, straightness of limbs, back length and strength, overall symmetry. Consideration: Minor imperfections tolerated if functional and not compromising soundness.
- Soundness: free, regular movement. Assessment: Free, regular movement without lameness or discomfort on straight lines and circles. Action: Any horse appearing lame will be politely excused and referred to the steward.
- Movement: rhythm, straightness, suppleness. Assessment: Rhythm, straightness, suppleness, engagement, and quality of transitions. In-Hand: Emphasis on tracking up, straight lines, prompt yet calm responses.
- Age-Appropriate Look: development suitable for age. Assessment: The exhibit should look like the age it is. Youngstock should resemble their age (<3 years old) and not look like adults (>4 years of age). The judges accept that some youngstock appear naturally more mature and this will not be penalized as this will be captured within the husbandry section on how the horse/pony is kept.
- What Your Horse Means to You: authenticity and partnership. Format: Either (a) a 150–200 word written statement submitted at entry to be read out by the steward, or (b) a 30–45 second in‑ring interview (you will be on microphone). Assessment: Authenticity, partnership, welfare mindset, and specific examples of trust and teamwork. Important: This is not judged on eloquence alone—real evidence of partnership is key.

7) Class Procedure - Check-in, go-round, line-up, individual show including in-ring interview (or statement), scoring.

8) Tie-Breaks
If total scores are tied:
Higher BCS score prevails.
If still tied, higher Age appropriate look score prevails.
If still tied, higher What Your Horse Means to You score prevails.
If still tied, judge’s discretion based on welfare-first principles.

9) Elimination
- Elimination for lameness, dangerous behaviour, abusive handling, prohibited tack.

10) Complaints & Queries
- Lodged within 30 minutes of results.
- Reviewed by Judges, Steward, and Show Representative.

11) Rosettes and Awards
- Placings to 10th.
- Best Welfare Champion. Highest combined scores in BCS + Age-appropriate look + husbandry.
- Health Award. Highest score in Conformation + soundness + movement.
- Partnership Award. Most meaningful What Your Horse Means to You story – voted by all the exhibits in the ring
- Judge’s Commendation. Optional for notable horsemanship or improvement.

12) Transparency
- Score sheets available on request.

13) Score Sheet Template
Class, date, entry number, categories scored out of respective values, total.

14) Set Show Guidance
- In-Hand: walk/trot straight lines, circles, halt, stand for judges.
- Ridden: walk/trot/canter transitions, circles, halt, stand for judges.

15) Accessibility
- Reasonable adjustments available with prior notice.

16) Rules on ground
- Exhibits to remove all manure and rubbish upon leaving the premises.
- Exhibits to stick to the carpark and arena allocated areas.
- Exhibits to leave promptly at the end of the show.
- Dogs are not permitted outside of cars/lorries etc.