| Author | Message | ||
     Kathleen Upsall Member Username: Katastrophy Post Number: 36 Registered: 10-2008 |
Jackie, I agree it woul be correct, but at this stage, I wouldn't dream of exercising without a hard hat, let alone take him out in company where he gets wound up and I get nervous... It's a recipe for disaster! He's a 'normal' section D... Relatively sensible at home and either fabulous or totally OTT at competitions (I ride him a lot as well and we show regularly as well as endurance rides, XC etc) I am on the lookout for a new normal hat, but it won't be worn unless he calms himself down.  at the point where the shot was taken, I'd just muttered to my groom that I wasn't sure if I'd have brakes at the end of my 'show extended strides'... He was certainly enjoying the large arena. On the plus side, we did get an 8 for impulsion! | ||
| Jackie Ellis Member Username: Jackieellis Post Number: 15 Registered: 03-2007 |
Kathleen that looks lovely, the only thing i would change would be your hat, maybe swap the riding cap for a navy trilby? It would be more correct for driving. & yes, wouldnt it be nice for the presentation to be scrapped in favour of a harness check & turnout "advice" from a knowledgeable judge? | ||
| Kathleen Upsall Member Username: Katastrophy Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2008 |
I'm in my first year of having a driving pony, and have only managed one event so far... I had a good presentation Mark, and am intending on keeping the same (or very similar) outfit while I have the carriage. It's a three phase Bennington, old but in very good nick- but with all the standard paint rubs etc you'd expect. As will most other newcomers, I'll learn as I go, but a good 'country turnout' suits me just fine! I wouldn't want to turn up in my marathon kit... I quite like that clean for day two and enjoy being part of a sport sometimes more geared for tradition than most other equine events, if that makes sense? [IMG]http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz36/katastrophy1984/driving%20trials%202011/ IMG_3532.jpg[/IMG] | ||
| Phillip Reeves Member Username: Philreeves Post Number: 8 Registered: 06-2010 |
its janet again! I totally agree Emma , standing presentation I'm sure was originally intended to be a check for safety.Everyone likes to make an effort with their turnout and feel proud of the result but surely safety is the main objective?The debate goes on...... | ||
| Emma Burton Member Username: Burtwood Post Number: 7 Registered: 06-2007 |
A few years ago during a standing presentation I was told my breeching was too high. I promptly forgot to change it as the ends were all taped down and I hadn't got time to mess about. The following event I had the same judge, who insisted the breeching was too low. The taped down ends were still intact, and nothing had moved. At that point I learnt to smile and wave, take all comments on board but not to get stressed about it! Safe & smart turnouts should be what is required, regardless of type of vehicle. | ||
| Dean Shelton Member Username: Deans Post Number: 19 Registered: 03-2009 |
I agree with Rosemary's thoughts and follow that way of presenting myself with my 3 phase vehicle. I think it is right & proper to make an effort to look as smart as is appropriate. My vehicle may be a 3 phase, but it does scrub up very well and I've never been marked down for it. In fact, I have been complemented on it! However, it shouldn't matter if the vehicle is "a bit lived in" as long as it is CLEAN, SAFE and fit for purpose. There ought to be no reason why you shouldn't dress smartly if the above is the case, otherwise we could technically turn up in unwashed marathon gear from the previous event and those who have driven the water obstacles at Sandringham will know how grim they will smell!!! I feel I have now done enough pre-novice club class presentations to have an opinion on it and smart shirt, jacket, trousers, shoes, apron and hat are appropriate. Perhaps going as far as top hat etc falls into the inappropriate camp in as much as it looks too out of keeping, but panama hat or similar suits the turnout more. Hopefully, no-one would agree that full penguin suit and top hat etc (or equivalent lady attire) would enhance the appearance of of a 3 phase vehicle....but jump on a presentation carriage/coach (neither of which I have!) with them on and the look is complete. Despite the "hassle" of having to dress up for the standing presentation, I do feel better turned out with the smarter gear on and, at least for me, does make me sit up a bit straighter during the dressage & cones phases! What I think would be more relevant and helpful for the perfect 10 argument is for the Presentation Judges to be consistent in what they are looking for AND if finding issues with aspects of the turnout as a whole, to make sure this is written down so that lessons can be learnt and improvements made once the competitor understands where he/she went wrong. I have been told SO many times that "I prefer it this way or that way", have corrected the issue for the next presentation and then have it contradicted by a different judge. Some of the points can also be rather picky, an example from 2yrs ago was that my groom was criticised for having stud earrings in that weren't pearl ones and that my apron (now keeping the dog's basket comfy) was too green.........come on folks, you are judging Club-PreNovice and Novice classes, they need encouraging and supportive criticism, not unhelpful IRRELEVANT comments that do more to discourage new-comers to the sport we all love. | ||
| Rosemary Neale Member Username: Rosemaryn Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2007 |
I had always been told that 'appearance suitable to type of carriage presented' meant that you wouldn't wear your top hat/best wedding gear if you were in a 3 phase vehicle. You should still be smart but it was more appropriate to wear something like you would wear for a country turnout kind of what the hunting fraternity call 'ratcatcher' | ||
| Jane Wilson Member Username: Janewil Post Number: 12 Registered: 06-2007 |
I think the idea of the guidline stating 'marathon clothes acceptable' was to encourage newcomers into the sport at club pre-novice level. I'm often called upon to judge this phase and have never yet had anyone appear in marathon clothes - everyone so far has made an effort in some direction. However, this backs up the point I made under the 'elusive 10' post, that to have a standing presentation which allows that 'marathon clothes are acceptable' and to have the emphasis wholly on safety, cleanliness and 'an acceptable standard' begs the question why not call it a harness check and not award a mark? Where is the incentive for competitors to go the extra mile in terms of elbow grease and attention to detail to try and improve their score? Now, I'm all for treating competition carriage driving as the relatively new, modern and exciting sport that it is, and not having the standing presentation hark back to the traditions of coaching - or expecting a standard akin to that in concours d'elegance, but there should surely be something strive for? I don't want to have to mark down someone for having a breast collar and three phase carriage over some one that has patent leather full collar and special presentation carriage, PROVIDED the one is as clean, correctly fitted, appropriate and well presented as the other. I don't think it should be about who is able to spend the most money - surely, there is some middle ground somewhere? | ||
| Mike Watts Member Username: Mikew Post Number: 67 Registered: 01-2007 |
Does anyone do standing presentation in marathon clothes? (Do they get that elusive 10?) I was quite surprised when I saw a national novice presentation form that says "Marathon clothes acceptable" The presentation guidelines 2011 have appeared quite recently and say '...appearance should be suitable to the type of carriage presented'. Do you think that implies marathon clothes are in fact compulsory for marathon type carriages for top marks? I'm sorry if everyone else knows all about this aspect of presentation and this is just my ignorance - but I've never seen presentation done in marathon clothes. Is that what we want? - it would certainly be change to the look of the sport. Apparently marathon clothes have been listed as acceptable since the 2008 release of this presentation form (but only the 2007 form was on the website until the middle of this season where marathon clothes were not listed as acceptable) ... |