It takes 20 minutes, always braid!
I can only dream of being that good at it… :lol:
[QUOTE=fourmares;7180355]
I know I’m old, but I’m not that old… I can’t believe this is even a question. Of course you braid.
I also am a little annoyed at classes under 3’6" (with 4 - 4’6" options) being called derbies… the whole point of derbies was to be extra super special classes… like the grand prix class in the jumper ring. Having bitty little baby derbies waters down the whole specialness IMO.[/QUOTE]
I totally agree !
Looks like you have your plan. Good luck, and yes, post pics after the event!
(How about calling it a mini-derby like the mini-Prix classes. :))
When I see shadbellies and unbraided manes I am reminded of GMs harping on the HORSE being the centerpiece of what we do.
Showing in formal attire on an unbraided horse is like wearing a ball gown to a party and brining a date in cargo shorts and flip flops. Clearly, you think that you are the star.
BRAID!
Can’t stand this. It looks so tacky, yet lots of people on our little local circuit think it’s the coolest thing to break out their shad for the 2’6"-2’9" classic, sans braiding. :no:
And braiding taking 20 minutes? Ha. Haha. HAHAHA. I think my record is THREE HOURS, just for the braids, didn’t even get them tied up. My horse probably hates me for that and I will gladly pay for braiding for now on…
Heck, I braid every weekend and I only can do one very sparse mane in 20 minutes, most of mine take 35-45 minutes. 20 minutes is most likely a messy job.
BRAID please for a derby 
You will look nice and feel the part.
Match the yarn to the mane, unless you are spot on having all black yarn will announce every uneven point of every braid. Do not buy white yarn buy a light cream (that I call pee stain white), bright white yarn makes even the cleanest mane look dingy.
Have fun!
I have to laugh about the 20-minute-braiding comment too :lol:
I decided to braid my small pony for my daughter’s first walk-trot class the night before (and after a lo-ong day of showing all of the other horses) thinking that i would be heading into a 30(ish) minute little project. HAH! Turns out that despite having braided for people for a solid decade, not braiding for 10+ years has taken it’s toll, and it ended up being a solid hour+ endeavor. Did I mention that it was on my small pony?
And also agree with the comments about shads and non-braided horses. If you’re going to be dressed up then I think the horse should be too.
[QUOTE=twotrudoc;7181022]
Heck, I braid every weekend and I only can do one very sparse mane in 20 minutes, most of mine take 35-45 minutes. 20 minutes is most likely a messy job.
BRAID please for a derby You will look nice and feel the part.
Match the yarn to the mane, unless you are spot on having all black yarn will announce every uneven point of every braid. Do not buy white yarn buy a light cream (that I call pee stain white), bright white yarn makes even the cleanest mane look dingy.
Have fun![/QUOTE]
Thank you. I didnt think of using an off white thats a great idea! Thank you!!!
[QUOTE=Jealoushe;7180646]
It takes 20 minutes, always braid![/QUOTE]
In my dreams!
Braid.
[QUOTE=Midge;7181750]
In my dreams![/QUOTE]
Right?? Ka-ching!
[QUOTE=MHM;7182430]
Right?? Ka-ching![/QUOTE]
More like pass out from exhaustion. Forget that!
Or get canned by every client for messy braids :lol:
[QUOTE=PNWjumper;7180632]
I agree with MHM and will add that this is no different than Grand Prixes. There are classes called “Grand Prixes” at small and unrated shows that vary anywhere from 1.10m to 1.30m.
The only way to truly understand what someone’s talking about is to refer to height, i.e. “1.60m Grand Prix” or “1.40m Grand Prix.” And I don’t think having smaller ones diminishes the special-ness of the real classes, it just dilutes the meaning when you say that you’ve ridden in a Grand Prix.
Along the same lines, I don’t see why hunter derbies would be any different when you drop below the rated stuff.
OP - I guess my preference would vary depending on the size of the show and whatever it is that makes the horse look best. OTOH, there’s probably not a scenario where you would regret being braided, but there is a very possible one if you are not![/QUOTE]
I do wish CoTH would publish the GP heights when they publish the results.
The only time I have not braided for a hunter class is during the teenie tiny indoor winter schooling ‘shows’. Anything else my horse was always braided.
[QUOTE=MHM;7182430]
Right?? Ka-ching![/QUOTE]
I would be retired. Or still showing. Or only working five hours a day.
I can dream, can’t I? 
