Schooling-show

In the morning of 1st May 2010, the ICAMH had organized a “schooling-show”, in conjunction with the clinic “showtraining for beginners” of the 27th March.

Of course, the option was left open to participate in only one of these two events, but when participating in both the clinic and the schooling-show, one could take advantage of a combination discount, and participants in the clinic of 27th March had priority when entering for the schooling-show.

Just like with the forementioned clinic, participation in this schooling-show was open to beginners in the showing of miniature horses. Here, it didn’t matter which type of minihorse one has, all horses were welcome.

When entering for this schooling-show, the participants didn’t have to select classes that fit you and your horse, like at regular shows. After entry closing, ICAMH made groups based on the entered mares, stallions and geldings and the desired practice classes the participants ticked on the entry form.

The show

The schooling-show started at 08.00 hours at Manege “Het Zwarte Water” in De Mortel, the Netherlands.

The participants of the schooling-show were assisted by experienced handlers. That way, one could put all the tips one got into practice instantly.

Mrs. Alison Johnston from England was judging, and she explained her evaluations to the participants personally. There was also an explanation about grooming.

Report by a participant

Iris van der Linden:

The ICAMH had organized a clinic for beginners on the 27th March, and at 1st May a schooling-show where you could execute the knowledge gained at the clinic.

At the clinic on the 27th of March, conducted by Dennis Kuijpers, we had learned that the judge looks at a number of points. Among them, conformation. Hoe is the horse build? Does he have a straight topline etc. Attention is also being paid to quality, how is the muscular build. Presence, is the horse enjoying being there, what does he/she radiate? Movement and type is rather far down the list. This depends on taste and therefore on the question what your judge prefers. Of course, this differs from judge to judge.
One of the hardest topics is the training of the horses. This is something that you have to play with yourself. What does my horse need to look good? Each horse is different: one will not be needing so much, while another one needs a lot. Training to stand still is a matter of patience. It is important to use one word for this so you horse is taught to stand still when prompted. A much used word is "whoa".
Grooming is the part that makes or breaks your horse. Dennis explained that it works to look a your horse from a distance and think about what these markings do to your horse. Do they make him slimmer or fatter, longer etc. Then you can clip in a way that enhances your horse. It is wise to do a "test" clipping a while before the show to try out some things, so if that doesn't work the way you would like it doesn't mean that you have to take a horse that hasn't been clipped all that well to the show. Looking at your horse critically, can help you make disappear or compensate many things.

All this theory could be used in the schooling-show, that was being held in the morning of the 1st of May. There, you practised all the classes you were going to participate in that afternoon (at the Spring Fling funshow), or you joined in the classes that you would still like to get some extra explanation or help in.
The halter class drew a very large group. Four very experienced people where present who were going to provide you with some more tips or help. The group was divided into 4 or 5 horses per expert. This individual help was very handy and was very much appreciated. For instance, one got help in activating the horse, and the other in calming the horse down.

If you have never participated in a show before, it is handy to know small things, too. For instance: take a pin or something with you to attach your starting number. Of course, I hadn't thought about bringing one with me. Another good tip I got from one of the participants about clothing: never dress in the colours of your horse, because then it seems like you are trying to hide something.

All in all, it was a sociable day at which I learned a lot and also got to know many people.