Horse shows for teenagers

[saxy_jag]

I'm writing a teen novel just now and am hoping some of you horsey folks can help me with a little research.

I have a sixteen-year-old character who's ridden since he was five and who now owns his second horse, an eight-year-old palomino mare, approx 15-15.2hh. She's a little fresh due to some bad schooling as a youngster, but is nevertheless basically steady and the lad can handle her. They're into cross-country, but not in a big way (horses will not be his career), and take part regularly in the numerous events and activities around the riding school/livery yard where the mare is kept.

If the two were to compete in local shows, affiliated or otherwise, what sort of ridden showing classes might they compete in, other than jumping and dressage?

[horsestache1]

A 15.2 palomino, and he's been riding since he was 5, and this is only his second horse!!!!

Firstly if, he'd been riding since he was 5 this would be his 4th or 5th pony, so i'd miss that bit out. A palomino is a bit crass, as palomino is a colour not a breed, a fancy colour at that. Go for something a bit more real, a 15.2 cob cross, a 15.2 grey,etc.

He could be doing one day events, ( show jumping X County and dressarge) point to point, amature racing, hunter trials, sponsored rides, X country events, playing polo, or polo cross, a combination of la cross and polo (great). or dare I say it he could be hunting, drag hunting preferably.

He could be attending pony club senior camp (lots of girls!)

The posibilities are endless.

But not on a palomino mare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get the lad a good believable horse

Good luck with the book

[saxy_jag]

This is only the second horse he's actually owned - he's ridden all sorts and is a very experienced rider.

I'm aware of the colour status of palomino, as opposed to breed. She is of no particular breed, just a slightly more 'athletic' build, possibly with a little arab blood. I need her to look striking.

He already does a little cross-country and some one-day events. What I need to know is what sort of showing classes (as opposed to jumping & dressage comps) he would be likely to enter for were he to take her to one or two local shows?

[shalforette]

We are in the middle of the showing season so look on theridingdiary.com and find a local show to go and watch. You know your character so go and find him at the show. He could be doing Riding Horse, Working Hunter, Ridden Hunter, Sports Horse, Riding Club Horse and many more. Have fun.

[saxy_jag]

Actually, Shalforette, I'll probably do just that. Haven't been to one for years, so it'll be a goed excuse. I was actually thinking of something like WH, but I wasn't sure whether they just had them as pony classes, but now you've said that, I'll try to have a look at a class.

The village show we play at every May always used to have an unaffiliated horse show, but they've stopped that now.

Ta muchly.

[k8_doran]

I was just reading some of the answers, and this could be the second horse he's owned. I'm 22 and been riding since I was six and only owned 2 horses as I started off sharing and loaning horses/ponies. Just thought I'd mention that!