When you are entering your Belgian Riding Pony in a show, there are a few things that you will want to do to prepare before you enter the arena. Your pony will need you to do a few things for him so that he can put his best hoof forward.
The first thing that you will need to do is to give your pony a bath. You will need to get each and every part of him squeaky clean. For best results, you will want to give your pony a bath a few days prior to the show. This will allow plenty of time for the natural oils in his coat to return and make him shine and gleam. If you can't do this far enough in advance, then you can use a shine enhancing formula on the coat of your pony after he is dry. You will want to be careful when you use this around the saddle area. Too much product could cause the saddle to slip while you are performing in one of the jumping classes.
Next, you will need to clip the feathers on your pony's legs. These should be clipped closely. You will also need to clip the hairs that are long on your pony's face, muzzle, throat and ears. Always clip a nice and clean path for the bridle on your pony. The clipping will add definition to the shape of your pony's body and will improve the presentation overall when he meets the judge. The presentation is considered a key part in the process of judging and the judge will always choose a performance that is great over one that is mediocre.
You will next need to prepare the mane of your pony. For events such as dressage or show jumping, you will want to pull your pony's mane to approximately four inches around or with width of your hand. You will then use yarn that matches the mane of your pony. This will help it to blend in as you braid the mane of your pony. When you have completed braiding your pony's mane, you will then pull it upward and a loop is created. With extra yarn, you will then tie it off, just before the middle of the loop. This will create a button.
Next, you will want to pay attention to the hoofs of your pony. You will want to apply a hoof polish in black on your pony's black hooves which are clean. If your pony's hooves aren't black, then be sure to use clear polish instead.
Be sure that you use the proper tack that is required of your discipline. You will need to study the rules and learn the details. When it comes to the disciplines of dressage and eventing, if your tack is incorrect, you may be eliminated from the competition.
Lastly, be sure to load all of your equipment for grooming. You will want to arrive at the show an hour before the official start. This will allow your pony to acclimate to its surroundings and allow you to make any last touchups that may be needed. Don't forget to warm up before your classes and have fun.
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