3-29-08 Hope Birsh, Owner Maryland Saddlery

The cutest riders by far in the show ring are competing in the leadline classes. They are mini versions of adult equestrians from the top of their velvet helmets to the tip of their paddock boots. Dressing them up is like playing dolls all over again. That said, under all that cuteness lies the heart of a very opinionated competitor. Years ago I was a told a story about a little guy at Harrisburg who during the lineup at the end of the class dismounted and managed to exit the ring before his mother even noticed! After you determine that your tiny rider is willing to remain mounted for the entire class you are ready to begin the search for all the pieces that must come together to be competitive in a leadline class. As parents and coaches we have a few hurdles to get over before even considering a leadline class. The top three are the pony, the tack and the riding apparel (theirs and yours).

Briefly we will talk about your pony. Your leadline pony must be in proportion to your rider. Small ponies, 12.2h and under, are ideal. The must be quiet, forgiving, patient and be able to back up under the command of you tiny rider. Random judges like to test that skill to the complete dismay of most horsemen. Be sure to prep your leadliner that they maybe asked their name and age, and their pony’s’ name. Always be ready with the latest knock knock joke for that moment while walking by the judge. They hate to see sour faced children. Turn out is also extremely important. Immaculately clean ponies that are braided are a requirement. Judges want to see as that you have put as much effort into your pony as you have your child.

Second we have your ponies tack to consider. Does his bridle fit properly? Are the cheek piece buckles at eye level? Is the throat latch snug? Most throat latches are way too long and need to be shortened by a saddler. The same problem may occur with the caveson or noseband. The caveson should sit about two fingers width below the bone on the side of the ponies face, and the crown of the caveson cannot hang down beyond the noseband. Be sure that the bridle is not too wide for the pones face and that it enhances the ponies’ looks. Fancy stitching looks great on ponies with stars and blazes. Also, make sure you reins are the correct length. Your rider should be able to hold them with about eight to fourteen inches extra. Any longer than that may get caught around their paddock boots. The saddle is even more important than the bridle Leadline is an equitation class. That means it is mostly judged on the rider. Their correction position is key and a badly fitting saddle will ruin you child’s chances. Your child must sit properly in the one you are planning to use. The flap should not be too big or their leg will look tiny. The seat of the saddle must be small as well. A saddle that is too big will sit too far back on a small pony and will make it very hard for you rider to balance. The saddle should sit evenly on the ponies back so that the rider can sit upright without either leaning forward or back. When a tiny rider sits on a saddle that is too big their lower leg gets stuck out in front of them, because the stirrup bar on the saddle is too far away from the seat. Stirrups should be around four inches wide and be safety stirrups with rubber band sides. Stirrup leathers need to be long enough to reach the loop keeper on the flap, but not too long that they hang below the saddle. Attention to these details is makes for a better total picture of the child and pony.

Lastly we tackle riding apparel. Most leadliners are in clothing that is too large. As parents we are always hoping to have clothing last for more than one season. You must abandon this practice when it comes to horse show clothes. If their clothes are too big this show season, you will give up your chances now to be judged fairly. Show coats that are baggy make kids look out of proportion. The skirt of the coat hangs too far down their thigh and makes the rider appear short. Paddock boots that are too big cause your child to put too much foot in the irons in order for the ball of their foot to rest correctly. Too big ratcatchers bunch up in their jodhpurs and feel yucky. Especially if you still wear a diaper! Don’t forget the belt, garter straps and gloves. Little girls need their hair to be in pigtails or braids with coordinating ribbon tied in a bow. Shine those paddocks up after your rider mounts! The idea is to look cute and sweet. So…bite the bullet and purchase or borrow correctly fitting show apparel. Below are the guidelines for fit:

Ratcatchers are sized correctly when the shoulders seams are inline with the outside edge of the shoulders. The choker collar should be fitted but not uncomfortably tight. When the cuffs of the riding shirt are buttoned, they should be snug and not be able to pass over their hand. After you put on their show jacket, about 1/4” to 1/2” of shirt cuff should show when their hands are in the rein holding position. Be sure to monogram all collars with a complementary color or wear a stock pin.

Jodhpurs that fit correctly are long enough, when the bottom elastic strap is under your shoe, does not pull the crotch of the riding pants down too low. Children’s jodhpurs should fit comfortably at the waist and leg. If the jodhpurs are too baggy, the garter strap makes the pants bunch around the knee. To check to see if the leg length is correct, put on their paddock boots and have someone pull the cuff down to the floor behind their heel. It should easily reach the floor. That gives them enough room to be able to stretch their heel down with out their pants riding up. Remember to coordinate the color of their jodhpurs to their show jacket. Lastly, wear a belt and garter straps.

Show jackets can easily improve their equitation. Square fitting shoulders and a narrow waist is the key. Coats are available in short, regular, tall and even slim, husky, and plus sizes. We fit a coat from the shoulders down. When you put on their jacket and button it, you should be able to pinch fabric at each shoulder. The outside each shoulder of the coat should be about ½” wider than the rider. Make sure the waist of the coat hits at their waist. The waist of the jacket from behind needs to be fitted but not pulling, so that when you tie on their horse show number their jacket does not bunch up. Have the back seam taken in if the coat is baggy. The length of the jacket is extremely important. It should just pass the bottom of their bottom. When seated in a saddle there should be 1” of extra fabric lying on the saddle. Another way to check length is to stand sideways at a mirror and bend at the hip and go into jumping position. Their coat needs to cover their bottom, but not flop over it.

Sleeve length is measured at 1” below the wrist bone. After they put on their show jacket, about 1/4” to 1/2” of shirt cuff should show when your hands are in the rein holding position. Shorten or lengthen sleeves accordingly.

Helmets: We at Maryland Saddlery believe that a correctly fitting helmet is your child’s most important piece of equipment. Their specific head shape will truly determine which helmet you will eventually purchase. You should only consider an approved helmet. These helmets meet or exceed the ASTM SEI testing standard set by the equestrian industry. How correctly their helmet fits their head will determine its level of safety. Helmets that are too small or too large may not function correctly during a fall and may not protect the rider’s head. Because every ASTM SEI riding helmet fits differently, a professional sales person at a reputable saddlery near where you live should be the one to fit your child.

Oh but wait! We can’t forget the clothing for the adult who is leading the pony. Women who wear simple A-line skirts or dresses look the best. Fancy hats are optional. Be sure your shoes are comfortable and will not fill with ring sand as you walk. Men should be in a coat and tie. Enjoy your time together while competing and don’t forget that knock knock joke!

Guide to Plus Size Jacket Sizing

Properly fitting a plus size women’s jacket can easily improve your equitation.  Coats that are too long will make you appear short.  It the jacket lays to far down their thighs when you are riding your leg will look short. Square fitting shoulders and a narrow waist is the key. Most of our manufacturers horses show coats are available in a huge range of sizes.  RJ Classics and Wellington Collection are available in short, regular, tall, and a lady’s plus sizes. We fit plus size women’s show coats from the shoulders down.  When you put on your jacket and button it, we should be able to pinch fabric at each shoulder.  The outside of each shoulder of the coat should be about ½” wider than the rider.  That way, when you put your arms forward to hold the reins and jump, you will not rip out the back of your show coat.

Make sure the waist of the coat actually hits you at your waist. The waist of the jacket from behind should fit well, but not pull. Extra fabric across the back will cause their jacket to bunch when you tie on a horse show number.  Have the back seam taken in by a tailor if the coat is baggy.  The length of the show jacket is extremely important.  It should just pass the bottom of your bottom.  When seated in a saddle there should be 1 1/4” of extra fabric lying on the saddle.  Another way to check length is to stand sideways at a mirror and bend at the hip and go into jumping position.  Your coat needs to cover their bottom, but not flop over it. Horse show jacket sleeve length is measured at 1” below the wrist bone. After you put on your show jacket, about 1/4” to 1/2” of shirt cuff should show when your hands are in the rein holding position.  Shorten or lengthen sleeves accordingly. Be sure to color coordinate your ratcatcher with your coat.