Looking to get into hunter breeding this year with my warmblood yearling. Looking for advice on training tips, bridles the handlers like (brands), what shows are good to go to, ect. looking at doing shows on the east coast. I have lots of background with hunters and am new to this side of showing so looking for any tips and advice, Thanks!
OP, my advice is that if you want to do well, hire a professional handler, especially for the first couple of shows.
If you want to show yourself, I’d sign up for some handling lessons with a professional and then practice at schooling shows or low key rated shows before you do anything big on your own.
I think the most important thing is to make sure your youngster feels comfortable being trailered to new environments where there is a lot going on. That, and being able to stand still for all the fussing required to get braided and groomed.
I agree with the pro handler. Work with your youngster so he does stand well and walks and trots nicely for you. Take lessons from a pro to learn how to best show off your horse. No matter what bridle you chose, it needs to be very clean and soft reins are a plus! Horse needs to be groomed within an inch of his life and braided perfectly! Helps to take the baby to some small shows just to hang out and get comfortable with the whole deal.
Not sure where you are on the East Cost but around here (Mid Atlantic) I’d target the April PG shows, Blue Rock, St. Chris then Devon/Upperville/Warrenton, Keswick as places likely to have meaningful HB divisions. Find a local show or two ahead of the rated shows to get your baby off the farm and used to the hubbub.
For turnout I agree with others input above. If you are doing it for the experience focus on the Amateur handler classes. If your guy is competitive and winning is important hire a pro.
A nice hunter bridle will work. I showed my yearlings in a cob sized Edgewood.
Good luck and enjoy it. I found HB a fun and fairly inexpensive way to get my babies exposure to the show scene (provided you are able to prep/trailer/show your guy without needing an entourage). If you are experienced showing hunters think of it as doing the model class without the o/f or hack 
[QUOTE=fourfillies;8996131]
Not sure where you are on the East Cost but around here (Mid Atlantic) I’d target the April PG shows, Blue Rock, St. Chris then Devon/Upperville/Warrenton, Keswick as places likely to have meaningful HB divisions. Find a local show or two ahead of the rated shows to get your baby off the farm and used to the hubbub.
For turnout I agree with others input above. If you are doing it for the experience focus on the Amateur handler classes. If your guy is competitive and winning is important hire a pro.
A nice hunter bridle will work. I showed my yearlings in a cob sized Edgewood.
Good luck and enjoy it. I found HB a fun and fairly inexpensive way to get my babies exposure to the show scene (provided you are able to prep/trailer/show your guy without needing an entourage). If you are experienced showing hunters think of it as doing the model class without the o/f or hack :)[/QUOTE]
Yearling is Located in Massachusetts, and in the midwest, what are good shows to get started at? I know about the Devon/Warrenton/Upperville.
Can’t help with the HB scene in the mid West. I lived in Western MA briefly and back then nada.
Westbrook and Shallowbrook both offer HB classes
You should be able to do a competition search for USEF shows that offer the HB classes, and you can narrow the search by zone, state, and month. It would be a good idea to touch base with any show that interests you to make sure they still plan to hold the classes, since entries might be light sometimes.
https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/competitions/compSearches/2017CompSearch.aspx
