Horse of the Year

All you need to know so there is no excuse not to enter!

Text: Amelia Campbell-Horne

Showing is an equestrian discipline which aims to exhibit perfect examples of specific breed types of horses and ponies. Good horsemanship and sportsmanship are essential to this discipline, and the attention to detail and pride in presentation can’t help but develop a love and appreciation of horses for all who participate. It is, however, an incredibly diverse discipline because of all the breeds of horses represented and the different types of classes available. For newcomers to the discipline, this can make the thought of competing quite daunting, but it need not be!

With one of the biggest showing events on the calendar just around the corner, we researched just one of the myriad breeds that will be represented at this year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) - the South African Warmblood.

South African Warmblood Classes

As with all other breed classes, the Warmblood classes are looking for the perfect model of what a South African (SA) Warmblood should be. The ideal model, according to the SA Warmblood Horse Society (SAWHS), would be a large, rectangular framed (stand over ground), uphill in build, correct and powerful horse with refinement, quality and presence. Although the SA Warmblood can vary considerably in size and type depending on the discipline they were bred for (primarily dressage, show jumping or eventing), they should all be rideable and level tempered, with good limbs, natural balance, and light and energetic paces.

So, who can enter a horse in the SA Warmblood classes at HOYS? To enter your horse in one of these classes, it will only need to be recorded with the SA Warmblood Horse Society. This is either done through birth notification (which is done before the horse is one year old), general recordings or when the horse is imported into South Africa.

Easy to enter!

The great thing about the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is that you do not need to be registered with SA Showing Association (SASA) for All-Breed Classes, General Breed Classes, SASA Newcomer and SASA Riding Horse Classes. Should you wish to compete in SASA Novice or Open Classes, you can take out a temporary membership with SASA for a minimal fee. Additionally, Kyalami Equestrian Park reduce their temporary membership fee for the show! So, all that is left to do is choose what class to enter.

Which class to enter?

The first decision you need to make when deciding which class to enter is between the In-Hand and Ridden options, but you can, of course, enter both!

IN-HAND CLASSES

These classes provide a fantastic opportunity for an owner to expose their youngstock to the competition environment from a young age as well as show off what they are breeding! This year's In-Hand SA Warmblood Classes will be judged by an international judge from England, Nathan Arnold.

The classes begin at ‘Foals under one year of age’ (who can be weanlings or foals at foot, shown with their dams) and are gender agnostic. Then there is the One-to-Two Year Old Class for colts and fillies. The top two foals placed in these classes go through to the Champion Warmblood Foal Class.

After two years of age, the classes are split according to their gender. There are:

• Fillies 2-3 years

• Fillies and Mares 3-5 years

• Mares - includes broodmares with or without foals at foot and open to SAWHS-registered Thoroughbreds.

Winners of these classes progress to the Champion Warmblood Filly and Mare Class.

The winner of this class progresses to the Supreme Champion Breed Horse Class.

• Colts 2-3 years

• Colts and stallions 3-4 years

• Stallions 4-5 years

• Stallions over 5 years

Winners of these classes progress to the Champion Warmblood Colt and Stallion Class (subject to the horses having their first acceptance, being licensed or inspected by the SAWHS).

This winner progresses to Supreme Champion Breed Horse Class.

The Fillies/Mares and Colts/Stallions winners will then be evaluated to determine who will be awarded the title of Grand Champion SA Warmblood.

• Geldings 2-3 years

• Geldings open - 3 years and above

1st and 2nd place in each class progress to the Warmblood Gelding Championship

The winner of the Warmblood Gelding Championship then goes forward to the Supreme Champion Gelding Class.

There are two additional special In-Hand classes which are the grooms’ classes. These are:

1. The SAW Groom Handler of the Year. 1st and 2nd place from this class go to Supreme Champion Groom Handler.

2. SAW Groom In-Hand Utility, which is being held for the first time this year.

These classes are not judged like the other In-Hand classes as they are judged purely on the handling and manners of the horse and the presentation of the horse and handler. Conformation is not considered.

Because as many as 45 horses from the various breeds can qualify for the ‘Supremes’ in some instances, there is pre-judging of the Supremes on Sunday morning before the final classes begin.

RIDDEN CLASSES

This year, the SA Warmbloods ridden showing classes will be judged by Nicky Wright from the Eastern Cape. Nicky Wright is an international judge trained by Pat Pohl, who was a high-level judge and inspector and also stood one of the most well-known SAW foundation sires, Wachmann. The ridden classes one can enter are as follows:

1. Novice Warmblood Show Riding Horse, which is open to individuals without SASA points. The novice horses do not have a ride by the judge.

2. Open Warmblood Show Riding Horse, which includes a ride by the judge!

In each of these classes, all competitors enter the arena on the right rein, all at the same time and walk, trot and canter in both directions in a group to follow the judge’s instructions. The judge will then line up the horses, and each horse and rider combination will perform an individual test. In the Open Section, the judge will ride a selection of the horses. The horses will then have their saddles removed so a conformational assessment can be made. Judges for this class will be looking for the horse that exemplifies a Warmblood-type in both movement and conformation; he/she additionally needs to be wellmannered and schooled. The winners of both classes progress to the Champion Warmblood Under Saddle Class and the winner thereof to the Supreme Show Riding Horse Class.

The third option in the ridden classes is the Potential Warmblood Derby/Working Hunter Class, held in the Bob Charter arena and judged as an English Hunter Class. In this class, you are required to jump several Derby elements and have a good gallop. The horses in this class need to be obedient, with exceptional conformation and good temperament. The winner of this class is automatically the Champion and progresses to the Supreme Working Hunter Class.

Another two Warmblood classes are the 5-year-old and 6-year-old Potential Warmblood Dressage Horse. These classes are ridden to SAWHS Special Dressage tests and have their own titles but no supreme progression.

TOP TIP: If you want to do some early Derby practice you can enter the Warmblood Working Hunter class on Friday!

What to wear?

The SA Warmblood Classes are perhaps more lenient than other breed classes when it comes to turn out of handler or rider and horse, which also helps to take the pressure off! These classes allow for Warmblood and traditional English showing looks, so there is no need to change if you enter another class!

This means that for In-Hand classes, the handler can wear black pants or chinos of conservative colour with a long sleeve button-up shirt and tie. A waistcoat can also be a nice touch! Gloves in black, browns or cream are imperative, and a hat completes the look! You may also present your horse in your Showing Riding attire. The Warmblood Classes additionally encourage participants to be in good running shoes!

For under saddle classes the rider must wear a three-point harness helmet with the correct safety standards; cream, fawn or beige breeches; a light pastel or cream-coloured collared shirts that can accommodate a conservativecoloured tie; and a navy, black or tweed jacket.

The look is finished off with conservative colour gloves and brown or black boots.

When it comes to the horse, if the aim is to win, mane and tail plaits will need to be sewn to an exceptional standard, and quarter markers will need to suit the class. The key to turnout for the Warmblood Classes is ensuring that both handler/rider and horse are extraordinarily neat and tidy!

SOME HELPFUL TIPS

• Contrast your (handler) colours with your horse’s legs. e.g. If your horse has white legs, wear a dark colour as this will show off your horse’s front legs' conformation and movement better.

• Always watch your ‘attitude in the arena’ – try to keep a smile on your face regardless of what your horse might be doing!

• All stallions must have a yellow tag fitted on the bridle for the entire event.

• Jewellery is not to be worn in showing classes. However, small discrete stud earrings may be accepted.

• Excessive make-up is not advised!

So, what are you waiting for?

Now we’ve broken down the classes for you for Warmbloods, you can start looking at the design of the classes for your particular breed. We hope this article has made everything a bit simpler, and that you feel ready to step into the ring and start showing!