Entering just U/S classes of divisions?

[Stormers85]

This is probably a no-brainer but I do not usually attend local hunter shows and I haven’t heard back from the show organizer yet, so I thought I’d give this a try:

I have a very green 4 year old OTTB that I am wanting to take to a local hunter show this weekend. While we are schooling courses at home, he is in no way ready to enter jump classes, but I would still like to get him off property and into a showing atmosphere for experience. The show has divisions such as Adult W/T & W/T/C but only riders who have not shows over fences in the last 3 years are eligible. I showed my other horse over fences so that disqualifies me, even though my horse is green and we are not all that likely to do well :D.

According to class descriptions, we would be eligible for Hunter Pleasure, Adult Medal Eq, Pre Children’s/Adult Hunter, Open Hunter and Field Hunter divisions, but all of those divisions have jump classes and then the U/S class is last in the division.

My question is, from experience do you know if it’s reasonable to expect to be able to enter just the U/S classes in those divisions (not all of them, of course- would like to enter maybe 2-3 classes). I come from eventer land but this show is really close to my barn and I’m itching to get him some show miles.

Thanks for any help!

[Didi]

You need to check the show’s prize list. Rated shows require that you compete over fences in order to compete in the hack. Unrated shows vary, so the prize list will be your guide. You could also check into going into one of the other classes (W/T/C) unjudged. Again, it would be up to the show committee.

[Stormers85]

That’s true about asking to be unjudged- I’ll just wait for the show organizer to contact me back. I knew about rated shows but have never competed in local hunter shows before.

Thanks for your answer!

[Stormers85]

That’s true about asking to be unjudged- I’ll just wait for the show organizer to contact me back. I knew about rated shows but have never competed in local hunter shows before.

Thanks for your answer!

[Crazy4aOTTB]

I dont think it should be a problem to do just the Undder saddle classes. Im not sure what you mean by “local hunter shows” Is it not rated? Open? Schooling? I have done just flat classes before at Local “C” rated shows in NC. You would not be eligible for Champion or Reserve but if you are just going to get your horse some experience its not a big deal. Also at schooling shows I have taken my horse and just trotted in and cantered out of the line jsut for experience since I didn’t feel that she was ready to do courses at shows yet.

As stated before talk to the show organizer but it should not be a problem.

[Stormers85]

Sorry, should’ve clarified. It’s a schooling show. The organizer seems to be pretty reasonable based on reputation, but I wanted to be sure I wasn’t totally out there with thinking I could enter one class in a division. Thanks for the help!

[cllane1]

Most of the schooling shows that I’ve been to allow you to enter single classes within divisions, so I imagine that should be fine. Is there a trot pole class that he might could dip his toes into?

I would think that the medal classes probably require you to enter the whole divisions.

I would check with the secretary: for the adult w/t/c classes does it specifically say that you can’t have shown ANY horse over fences in the last 3 years, or just the one you are showing now?

[BostonHJ]

I think it is a much better idea for you to show in the divisions that you are eligible for rather than unjudged in WT and WTC. Since those divisions are rider restricted, you will be dealing with novice riders who won’t know what to do if your horse decides to demonstrate his green-ness Also, they are likely to be less skilled at steering and making sure they stay a safe distance away from other horses.

[greysfordays]

[QUOTE=BostonHJ;8005665]
I think it is a much better idea for you to show in the divisions that you are eligible for rather than unjudged in WT and WTC. Since those divisions are rider restricted, you will be dealing with novice riders who won’t know what to do if your horse decides to demonstrate his green-ness Also, they are likely to be less skilled at steering and making sure they stay a safe distance away from other horses.[/QUOTE]

THIS!!! Even though you are just doing this for your young horse’s miles, I think it would be more courteous to those in WT and WTC to show in another division.

[gottagrey]

[QUOTE=BostonHJ;8005665]
I think it is a much better idea for you to show in the divisions that you are eligible for rather than unjudged in WT and WTC. Since those divisions are rider restricted, you will be dealing with novice riders who won’t know what to do if your horse decides to demonstrate his green-ness Also, they are likely to be less skilled at steering and making sure they stay a safe distance away from other horses.[/QUOTE]

This ^^ exactly. These classes are not designed to be baby green classes. IME most schooling shows are happy to have entries so will do their best to accommodate exhibitors.

[Gorgonzola]

@cllane1;8005591

Most of the schooling shows that I’ve been to allow you to enter single classes within divisions, so I imagine that should be fine. Is there a trot pole class that he might could dip his toes into?

I would think that the medal classes probably require you to enter the whole divisions.

Typically medals are 1 class that have an O/F portion and a Flat portion, (at least at the local shows I’ve been at recently!) So since it’s one class, you can’t just do the flat portion of the class. I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t enter any/all U/S classes that you are horsey are eligible for with out jumping!!

[BITSA]

[QUOTE=BostonHJ;8005665]
I think it is a much better idea for you to show in the divisions that you are eligible for rather than unjudged in WT and WTC. Since those divisions are rider restricted, you will be dealing with novice riders who won’t know what to do if your horse decides to demonstrate his green-ness Also, they are likely to be less skilled at steering and making sure they stay a safe distance away from other horses.[/QUOTE]

this ^^^

[Stormers85]

Thanks everyone, for the input. I talked to the show organizer and she is letting me enter any flat or u/s division I want to. It’s a small show so there’s not a huge # of entries. I do agree in not entering classes with green riders so I won’t be doing those. I think I’m just doing green hunter, open hunter and adult hunter.

[FindersKeepers]

Glad you received a response for the show organizer. I do this very frequently with green horses… go to a schooling show and just enter the hopeful hunter or baby green under saddle class. If they are having a great day, I might hop over a couple fences when the ring is open for schooling, but the actual judged portion of our day only includes flat classes. For young OTTB’s, those alone can be really adventurous…