Have you ever wondered what it takes to present your pony looking absolutely stunning in the show ring? SANESA Showing is all about demonstrating that you and your pony are the perfect team, beautifully turned out and brilliantly skilled!
What is Showing?
Showing is about presenting your horse or pony at their very best. Think of it like your pony going to a job interview – you want them looking smart, behaving beautifully, and showing off all their best qualities! The goal is to prove that your pony is an excellent example of what a riding pony should be: well-trained, athletic, good-mannered, and gorgeous to look at.
At SANESA, there are FOUR different types of showing classes you can enter, each one testing different skills:
1. Performance Riding
Performance Riding is all about flatwork – no jumping required! This is where you show the judge how beautifully your pony moves and how well you can ride.
What you’ll do:
- Follow a set test (like a simple dressage test) at the lower levels
- At higher levels, you create your own test to music – like a mini performance!
- Show off your pony’s walk, trot, and canter
- Demonstrate smooth transitions between gaits
- Ride accurate circles and figures
What judges look for:
- How elegantly your pony moves
- Whether your pony is focused and calm
- How accurate your riding is
- At the highest levels (Level 5 and 7), the judge will also look at your pony’s conformation (their body shape and how they’re built)
Top tip: Practice your test until you can ride it smoothly without thinking about it. The more confident you are, the more relaxed your pony will be!
2. Working Riding
Working Riding is like an obstacle course, but on horseback! This class tests whether your pony is sensible, obedient, and brave enough to tackle everyday challenges.
What you’ll do:
- Navigate through a course of practical obstacles (usually six to eight different tasks)
- You might need to: trot over poles, weave through cones, pick up and carry objects, open a gate, walk through a lane, or even dismount onto a box
- There may be a small jump to pop over
- Everything is done in a specific order at a specific pace (walk, trot, or canter)
What judges look for:
- Whether your pony is calm and cooperative
- How neatly and accurately you complete each task
- Your pony’s attitude
- How smoothly you ride the course
Top tip: Read the test carefully before you start! You’ll lose marks if you do things in the wrong order or at the wrong pace. If the test says ‘trot,’ don’t canter!
3. Working Hunter
If you love jumping, Working Hunter is your class! This discipline is all about showing that your pony has the stamina and courage to go out hunting – jumping over natural obstacles at a strong, steady pace.
What you’ll do:
- Jump a course of six to eight rustic (natural-looking) fences like logs, hedges, and wooden poles
- At higher levels, you might jump banks, steps, or even water trays
- After jumping, you’ll show a gallop on one rein and halt in front of the judge
- The course should flow smoothly with a fairly fast, steady canter
What judges look for:
- How smoothly your pony jumps (no checking or adding extra strides)
- Your pony’s jumping style and technique
- Whether you maintain a good ‘hunter pace’ – steady and flowing, not rushed
- How well your pony gallops
- At Level 5 and 7, conformation is also judged
Important rules:
- Knock down a pole: lose 5 marks
- First refusal: lose 10 marks
- Second refusal: lose 15 marks
- Third refusal or a fall: elimination (you must leave the arena)
Top tip: Working Hunter is about rhythm and smoothness, not speed! Keep your pony in a steady canter and let them see the fences coming.
4. In-hand Utility
This is a brilliant class if your pony is still young, if you’re building confidence, or if you just enjoy groundwork! In this discipline, you lead your pony through obstacles rather than riding them.
What you’ll do:
- Lead your pony through, around, and over a series of obstacles (usually up to six)
- Show that your pony trusts you and will follow you anywhere
- Tests are provided on the day of the show
What judges look for:
- How well you handle your pony
- Whether your pony is calm and obedient
- Your control and confidence
- Style and manners
Special notes:
- This class doesn’t count toward grading points – it’s just for fun and experience!
- You must still wear a hard hat for safety
- Dress smartly: long-sleeved shirt with collar and tie, waistcoat or jacket, long trousers or jodhpurs, and closed shoes
Top tip: This is a great class for building your pony’s confidence around scary objects and for improving your handling skills!
Getting ready for the show ring
YOU: Rider turnout
Showing is a smart discipline, so you need to dress the part! Here’s what to wear:
Essential kit:
- Hard hat (black, navy, or brown) with a properly fastened chinstrap
- Jacket: tweed, navy, or black (school blazers are fine for younger riders at lower levels)
- Shirt: white, cream, or pastel with a collar – no polo shirts!
- Tie: conservative colours
- Jodhpurs or breeches: yellow, beige, fawn, or cream (white is allowed at lower levels but not really correct)
- Boots: black or brown jodhpur boots or long boots
- Gloves: recommended for all levels, compulsory for Level 5 and 7
- Hair: anything below your ears should be plaited or in a hairnet – no loose hair!
Don’t wear:
- Jewellery
- Jeans
- Dressage whips (short canes only, max 75cm)
YOUR PONY: Horse and pony turnout
Your pony should look absolutely immaculate!
Plaiting:
- Your pony’s mane AND forelock must be plaited for all showing classes
- You can plait or pull the tail, but it’s not compulsory
- Practice your plaiting before the show – neat, even plaits make a huge difference!
Trimming:
- Trim excess hair from ears and jawline (but never remove the sensory whiskers on their muzzle!)
- If your pony has feathers (like native ponies), you don’t need to remove them
Tack:
- Brown tack is preferred, but black is acceptable
- Your saddle should be clean and well-fitted
- Numnahs should be neat and discreet (white, black, or brown)
- All straps should be tucked into keepers (no flapping ends!)
Performance Riding tack rules:
- Only cavesson nosebands allowed (no flash, grackle, or dropped nosebands)
- No martingales, auxiliary reins, or gadgets
- Snaffle or Pelham bits (doubles only at Level 7)
- No boots or bandages
Working Hunter tack rules:
- Protective boots ARE allowed while jumping
- They must be removed before the conformation phase at Level 5 and 7
- Studs are permitted
Understanding the levels
SANESA Showing has different levels from beginner to advanced:
Level 0: Lead rein and off-lead (with assistance allowed) – perfect for starting out
Level 1: Set tests for beginners
Level 3: Set tests for more experienced riders
Level 5: Your own test + conformation judged (this level earns grading points!)
Level 7: Your own test + conformation judged (this is the highest level and also earns grading points!)
The higher you go, the more is expected of you and your pony’s training!
Top tips for success
- Practice makes perfect: Know your tests inside out before you arrive at the show.
- Presentation matters: A beautifully turned out pony with neat plaits and gleaming tack will always catch the judge’s eye.
- Speak clearly: When you introduce yourself to the judge, speak loudly and clearly. Tell them your name AND your pony’s name.
- Stand up your pony properly: Practice standing your pony square with all four legs even. This takes time to learn, so ask someone to help you!
- Stay calm: Your pony will pick up on your emotions. If you’re nervous, they’ll be nervous too. Take deep breaths and smile!
- Watch and learn: Watch other competitors, especially at higher levels. You’ll learn so much about what judges are looking for.
- Be kind to your pony: Showing should be fun for both of you. If your pony gets tired or stressed, give them a break.
Why try Showing?
Showing teaches you so many valuable skills:
- Attention to detail – everything must be perfect!
- Patience – plaiting takes time!
- Ring craft – learning to ride accurately and present your pony well
- Partnership – Showing is all about you and your pony working as a team
- Responsibility – keeping your pony and tack in top condition
- Confidence – performing in front of judges and spectators
Plus, there’s something really special about riding into the ring with your beautifully plaited pony, knowing you both look absolutely amazing!
Ready to give it a go?
SANESA Showing offers something for everyone, whether you prefer elegant flatwork, practical challenges, brave jumping, or confident leading. Why not try different classes to see which one you and your pony enjoy most?
Remember: every top showman or woman started exactly where you are now. With practice, patience, and plenty of grooming, you could be taking home those rosettes too!
Happy showing!
[Box] For more detailed rules and regulations, visit the SANESA website. [end box]
