I just purchased an adorable 3 year old TB. She’s quasi-OTTB–trained but didn’t race, and still has a lot of growing to do. If shows are back running in a few months time, I’d like to try getting her out and doing a few Hunter Breeding classes with her just to get her out and about at bigger venues, and give her some good experience without having to do a whole lot under saddle yet. I’m in MD, so an easy haul to several shows that offer it.
I watched HB at Upperville a couple times, but never really paid attention to the finer points. IIRC, it runs basically like a Model, right? Line up, stand up, then jog one side of the ring? I did a few of those with my old mare, so I’m somewhat comfortable with that format, though if someone has a good video on standing them up perfectly, I’d love tips on it.
Since we’d just be out for fun and experience, I’d like to handle myself. Would I be totally out of place doing this? I know there is an Amateur Handler class–is that run as another separate class, or do they just pin that along with everything else? Looking at photos from other HB shows, it looks like a nice sunshirt and a pair of khakis with paddock boots might be fine as attire for me, or do I need to dress it up more than that? I’m just picturing trying to get a horse ready in a dress and accidentally mooning someone while putting on hoof oil :lol:
I see a Sallie B Wheeler group on Facebook, but is there a HB specific group? Or list of shows that offer it somewhere so I don’t have to dig through every area prizelist? I do not want to do Devon, but I have my eye on Loudoun, and maybe Upperville if I can get off work–anything at any Swan Lakes or the MD shows?
Anything obvious I’m missing and need to know? (Horse will have USEF life registration and a USHJA registration by the end of the month. I’m already a member.)
