I will start off and say I am new to this aspect of the hunters. I am a DIY rider just recently returned to the show ring after a 7 year hiatus. The people I have to bounce ideas off of are jumper riders, don’t show or fox hunters. I will be doing some smaller shows here and there, but some have Derby classes with prize money. I will eventually be moving up to the rated stuff when my greenie tells me he’s ready, but these are stepping stones for us both! One is a USHJA Outreach Derby and the others are Classics the rated shows, but in the unrated sections. Would it be appropriate to go ahead and A. Braid mane and tail (I braid my own as used to do it professionally in college) B. Wear the shad and stock and C. To get the practice of being fully and properly dressed for the bigger stuff?
Absolutely, I’d recommend it.
Personally, for smaller shows, it would be a bit strange to wear a shad and stock. But, if you want, ou could definitely braid mane, forelock, and if you have the time or just want to the tail. This is just my personal opinion as I have not seen any shads and stocks at smaller shows, but you are totally free to do whatever you want or think is appropriate.
My local circut offers Derbies at some of their bigger events with some prize money and almost everyone wears shads. I’d recommend emailing the show coordinator or similar and asking theme what people usually wear.
This is a new thing for my area this year! First ever Outreach and also adding the classics to the local rated divisions, but at an A or AA SHOW. So unfortunately, there is not much comparison…
For a Derby, a shad would probably be reasonable. I would not wear it for classics at even an AA show, as usually those classes are just run with the regular over fences classes.
Any chance you can go to a show and see? Or ask someone who’s (planning on) showing in those classes?
Our local Country (non-A) rated shows really frown on braiding, even in the Classics. We get all dolled up for the big year-end show, but otherwise, it’s just generally hunt coat (no braid). For the As, generally everyone braids for the weekend classes, but shads are optional for the classics (because you might have to then run to the Eq ring or something).
So… It all depends. For the smaller shows, I’d really try to match what everyone else is doing (which may be unbraided and normal coat). I know a lot of my local folks can’t do their own braids and don’t want to afford a braider every time they show
Go see first, ideally. But there’s no points added or subtracted for shad or no shad, Judges really don’t care if it’s clean, fits and is conservative and have repeatedly posted so on here so don’t think you have to buy one for unrated sections or Outreach classes. But YES braid at least the mane. Wait on the tail to see what the others do.
Some disagree but it is possible to overdress for entry level, grass roots shows trying to attract more middle income participants. Like wearing a prom gown to a luncheon.
