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The Led Class: A Few Helpful
Suggestions There are many different sectors of the horse world. Everyone has their own specific interests and these may be as diverse as racehorses, showjumpers, dressage horses or children's show ponies- but there are always breeders in the horse industry supplying a continuous stream of improved stock for our particular section of competition. To a large degree, led classes form a link between breeder and saddle competitor. They are the shop window for our future saddle horses. In the thoroughbred industry we see a delightful balance of racetrack performance, bloodlines and market demand. Although there are led classes for thoroughbreds at Royal shows and 99% of all show hacks are ex-racehorses, the industry's Led Classes that matter are the various yearling sales…and why not? As a matter of interest, let me run these statistics past you. Redoute's Choice (Australia's leading TB sire last year) now takes 150 mares a season at $250,000 service fee. His progeny won ALL major 2 yo races last year. Current progeny earnings come to over $22 million and last years crop of yearlings sold for between $500,000 and $3 million each. I always think how lucky the equestrian world is to have access to a continuous stream of slow but well bred Thoroughbreds for our use as show and competition horses. And, of course, via the increasing use of A.I. and imported straws we now have access to the finest bloodlines in the world for a vast array of performance breeds from Warmbloods to Riding Ponies. Led classes perform an important role in the horse industry overall. Quite apart from this, many people find them both enjoyable and satisfying to compete in. So, here are my main tips to help your chances when competing in a led class. Firstly, if you want to do well in these classes, you need to be reasonably fit. When I judge, I constantly see leaders who can't keep up with their horse's natural trot rhythm, or tripping over or bumping into the horse's shoulder, or worst of all, using the horse's mouth as an object to help maintain the leader's balance. When I teach someone how to show a horse in hand , the first thing I get them to do is run about 30 metres in a straight line at a brisk pace with a mug of coffee in their right hand , held outstretched at shoulder height and glancing at their right hand every few seconds. When they can do that without spilling too much coffee, they are ready to lead a horse. Secondly, practice obedience at home. The horse should copy your body language. When you walk, he should walk; you run and he should trot; you turn and he should turn; you stop and he should stop and if you stand in front of him and gesture with your hands, he should stand up. You don't have to drill a horse with a led class routine at home until he's stale and bored with the entire process. Give him 5 minutes training each day when you lead him from his day yard to the stable area. Ask him to stand up once or twice a day. Give him a tap and push until he's standing on all four feet (not square - better a little off square) and still. Then, reward this with a treat or a handful of grass and encourage him to stretch his rein when he gets his reward. Soon, if you "bait" him with a treat he will stand up immediately you ask him and be alertly looking for his treat. Another important aspect of led training is to teach your horse to respect your space. When I lead a horse I carry a short whip or cane and the horse gets a little poke in the neck or tap on the nose if he invades my space. They learn very quickly to stay with you but a whips distance from you. Nothing looks worse in a led class than a horse that has no respect for its leader and simply walks all over her. Think of you and your horse like railway tracks- parallel, never meeting. Also, I must stress that you want your horse respectful of your whip but not afraid of it. In fact I caress my horses with the whip when I want them to know that I am pleased with them. Next, in the class itself, your chances instantly improve if your horse is bright alert and active. A big purposeful walk (but a clear walk not a jog) and a ground covering, even trot is desirable. Some leaders make the mistake of over-running their horse. It's not about speed. It's about showing the natural qualities of your horse's paces. Think what your horse looks like when he gently springs around a paddock when first released and think how he stands like a statue and grows a hand when he cautiously looks at something he's uncertain about across his paddock. These are the images you have to try to replicate in a Led Class. Every horse has this presence naturally within them- the art is getting this from him when you require it. Finally stay on your own in the ring; don't let you horse go to sleep (and don't you either) keep watching the judge and stand your horse up every time you stop for any reason. You are there to SELL your horse to that judge. Until next time, happy and
successful showing!
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