HQ PONY GOES SHOWING

With Shannay Marais

Once a year, Kyalami Park Club hosts Horse of the Year. While a few of our readers might know showing well, some of our readers have only tried showing a few times at SANESA or like Shannay, have never entered, or even considered entering, a showing competition.

So, as a challenge, we asked Shannay, a top Junior showjumper, to give showing a try at the biggest showing show of the year - Horse of the Year.

Shannay and her five-year-old off the track thoroughbred (OTTB), Walker Bay entered the 'Racehorse to Show Horse' Class as well as the Thoroughbred Working Hunter. [HQ: We couldn't imagine the pair not doing at least one class that involved jumps!]

HQP: Have you ever done showing before?

Shannay: Nope, and never thought I would!

HQP: If you were to summarise your experience of HOYS in three words, what would they be?

Shannay: Different, exciting and fun!

HQP: What were your most nervous about to begin with?

Shannay: I was nervous about getting all dressed up and wearing the correct attire, but most of all, I was nervous about going around in front of the showing and working hunter judges! It's crazy how different it is being front of them compared to jumping a big 1.40m course; I'd definitely choose the second option!

HQP: What was your experience of the two classes you entered?

Shannay: It was the first time Walker and I had ever done a showing class. He was a bit nervous in the Bob Charter arena because he's still young, but the judges were so understanding of him being a bit excited. Walker trotted and cantered around with the other horses very well and did a good individual test as well! To sum it up, I really think that this was a good experience for him and would be for any other Thoroughbred. Being in the Bob Charter is always special, and Walker loved it; I'm happy to have done the showing so he could be in this special arena!

Going into the Working Hunter, I felt a bit more comfortable because, obviously, there is some jumping involved! Walker loved jumping over hay bales and rustic jumps, but most of all, he loved his fun little gallop at the end! In the second phase, when we went back into the arena, we had to stand still for the judge to look at his confirmation, and the judge also rode him. Well, Walker thought that was way too much fun and became very excited. Once again, the judge was very kind and rode Walker well. Overall, the Working Hunter was my preferred class, but both of these classes were such good experiences for Walker!

FAST FACT

Working Hunter Classes are likely the classes that would appeal most to riders with a passion for showjumping. Before the class begins, the riders will walk a course of rustic jumps. The riders then jump the course individually and, after completing the course, have a gallop. Once all riders have completed the course, the top few combinations will be called in for a ride by the judge and a conformation assessment before prizes are awarded. The type of horse suited to this class is brave and canters freely and rhythmically from one jump to another.

HQP: What was the worst part of the experience for you?

Shannay: Wearing a hairnet!

HQP: And the best part?

Shannay: Riding Walker in the Bob Charter and the experience he gained from his classes! From my experience with Walker, Thoroughbreds are so clever and willing to learn, so giving them this opportunity is good for their second careers!

HQP: What surprised you?

Shannay: What surprised me was the amount of effort and time that goes into making the horses as well turned out as they need to be for showing and other classes like it. As a bonus, though, you get some amazing photos of your horse looking like a million dollars!

HQP: Can you tell us a bit about Walker?

Shannay: Walker is a five-year-old gelding by Var out of a Sadler's Wells mare. I got Walker in the middle of 2023 as a friend for my retired pony and also as a project horse! When we went to go see him, he stole my heart with his amazing personality and kind eye. Walker is so clever and willing to learn; it's unbelievable! It doesn't take him long to learn something new, and I think this is the case for so many Thoroughbreds! I think that Thoroughbreds are really underrated and can surprise you with what they can achieve! Walker has been a true example of this. Our first little show was a training class at 40cm; fast forward six months, and he's leading the 90cm ranking with multiple placings and is ready to go up to the 1m classes! But, because he is so young, he needs exposure and experience, and HOYS was a good show for it.

FAST FACT

The Racehorse to Show Horse class was introduced to encourage riders to give racehorses second careers, and with the hope that more people would realise that there is another life for racehorses who come off the track. It is a Show Riding class that is open to all ex-racehorses who have been retired from racing for four years or less. It is judged based on schooling, manners, and conformation.

HQP: How do you feel Walker coped with the showing experience?

Shannay: Walker dealt with the showing surprisingly well, considering it was a very new thing for both me and him. I am very glad we got to do this together. He was very excited in the beginning to be with all his Thoroughbred friends and go around a big arena like the Bob Charter, but by the end, he was so much calmer and learnt a lot from it. It was a great day out with him; he was such a good boy and so well-behaved!

HQP: What advice do you have for other young riders who would like to try showing?

Shannay: Bring lots of shampoo, baby powder, and mane and tail spray. You have to make sure your horse looks like a million dollars, and don't forget the quarter markings and making sure you have the right type of quarter markers for the right class! Also, even if it is your first time like it was mine, have fun and enjoy! Don't take things to seriously; the people and judges are all very nice!

HQP: What did you learn from your showing experience?

Shannay: I learnt that Thoroughbreds are versatile and aren't to be dismissed so easily, and that they are all able to become something special. And with the help of some friends, I learnt how to turn my horse out the perfect way!

HQP: Well, perhaps we will see you back in the show ring next year, giving Walker some more Derby exposure.