enquiries@hopeshow.co.uk

Mountain & Moorland Ponies

The Mountain and Moorland Classes are the showcase of the the British native pony breeds of which there are 9;
Shetland
Highland
Fell
Dales
Connemara
Welsh
Section A Welsh Pony
Section B Welsh Mountain Pony
Section C & D Welsh Cobs
New Forest
Exmoor
Dartmoor

Each entry is compared with the breed 'standard' by the judge who also takes into consideration the manners and turnout when deciding on a winner.
 
Showing Classes

These are the 'supermodels' of the equestrian world. Ponies and horses should be elegant, pretty, well turned out and have impeccable manners and behaviour.

Although there is no 'breed standard' they must have good conformation and move correctly.

All exhibits need to prepare an individual 'show' to put their horse/pony through it's paces and hopefully impress the judge.


Working Hunter and Hunter Ponies


These classes combine the elegance and quality of the animals with their ability to jump a course of rustic (as opposed to coloured) fences - similar to those which may be encountered whilst hunting. 

The judge is looking for a stylish and clear jumping round coupled with good conformation, manners and turnout.

Coloured and Spotted Horses and Ponies

Like all the showing classes, these are judged on their conformation, behaviour and turnout.
 
An added dimension is their unusual colouration.
Although most spotteds are either Appaloosa or Knabstrupper (or cross-breeds of either), Piebalds (black & white) and skewbalds ( any colour other than black, and white) are found in many breeds and cross-breeds.

Veteran Horses & Ponies.

These classes are open to horses and ponies over the age of 15 years. The judge will take into consideration their overall condition for their age in addition to the usual criteria of conformation, manners and way of going.

Young Handler Classes

These classes are for children to 'have a go' at in hand showing. The type and quality of pony is not taken into consideration, it is the ability of the handler which is being judged.

Gymkhana

This is a selection of children's games - on horseback.
Walk, trot canter & lead is fairly self-explanatory.
 
The riders execute four 'lengths' up and down the rows of poles, first in walk, second in trot, third in canter, then they dismount and lead their ponies across the finishing line. However, if a pony goes at a pace faster than they should, they have to turn a circle before continuing.

Bending - in this race the pony and rider have to 'weave' in and out of the poles as fast as they can!

The flag race is a mounted version of 'fetch and carry' - the object being to collect all the flags to one end in the shortest time.

Apple bobbing - the pony and rider have to complete a trip up and down the outside of the poles before the rider dismounts and 'bobs' for an apple.

Fancy Dress

The onerous task of judging the mounted/led equestrian fancy dress is given to the consort of the current show president
 
 
 
 

Heavy Horses

Heavy horses were first bred in the middle ages to be strong enough to carry a knight in full armour.

Since then, the breeds have diversified into horses capable of pulling anything from simple carts to early combined harvests.

Although we mainly see Shire Horses at Hope Show, there are, in fact several breeds of heavies still being bred and shown e.g Clydesdales (made famous by the 'Budweiser' advertisements), Suffolk Punch, Percheron and Bretons (the latter two being originally French breeds) and the Belgian Draught.
 
Big Jake (a Belgian Draught) who lives in Michigan, USA is currently the world's tallest horse standing at 20 hands 2 and 3/4" at the shoulder (that's almost 6' 10")
 
 
 
 

Show Jumping

Show Jumping Classes
 
JUDGE  Lesley Moses
 
Hope Show regrets that there are no British Show Jumping affiliated classes.  This decision was taken due to the variable ground conditions and escalating costs in recent years.
All Show Jumping Classes are for Local Competitors (15 mile radius of showground). 
 
Entry fee for all show jumping classes - £7 per class
Prizes for classes 1 – 4     1st £15    2nd £10    3rd £7    4th   Rosette
 
THE COMMITTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO AMALGAMATE CLASSES IF INSUFFICIENT ENTRIES
Competitors will qualify for Cricklands Winter League Finals 2014/ 2015 subject to their terms and conditions. See www.cricklands.com for further information.
 
Class  A   Height of jumps 50 cms max – BEGINNERS ONLY PLEASE! Entrants may compete in Classes 1 & 2 but no other Show Jumping Classes.  Rosettes to all entrants.
     TROPHY  -   The Tom Pearson Trophy
Class  B   Height of jumps not to exceed 65 cms in first round.   
     TROPHY   –   Naylor’s Saddlery Shield
Class  C   Height of jumps not to exceed 80 cms in first round. 
     TROPHY    -    Chapman Trophy
Class  D   Height of jumps not to exceed  1m in first round
     TROPHY     -    Mr & Mrs R A Atkin Shield
 
Show Jumping Rules
 
Refusal – 4 faults              3 refusals – elimination
Fence knocked down (however caused) – 4 faults
Fall of horse and/or rider – elimination
Taking wrong course – elimination
 
At the Judge’s discretion, any competitor deemed to be not completing the course in a competitive and timely manner will be eliminated.