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Because the Shetland pony is such a versatile breed, there are a number of different activities it can take part in. Exhibitors usually start with in-hand classes where, by watching others and asking more experienced owners for hints, much can be learned. Shetlands are generally willing to learn a new trade and the next step may be to train them for ridden classes. Lead rein, Mountain & Moorland ridden or M & M working hunter pony are all classes that may include Shetland ponies. Other people want to train their Shetland for harness classes - private driving or scurry driving. In any of these spheres, Shetlands, with their calm temperament, can compete with other larger breeds. The Shetland Pony Society holds the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society Breed Show, which is held in a different part of the U.K. each year.
The Society 'Guidelines for Showing' point out that handlers should look tidy. Ponies also should be presented in a clean and tidy condition, with clean, well fitted tack. All training should be done at home to try to ensure the pony is calm and well behaved on the day.
Recently, the Society introduced Young Handler classes to encourage children to compete within their own age groups. Whatever sort of class is entered, a show is usually regarded as a social day out by exhibitors.
A Young Exhibitor competition is held annually. Children can enter at the beginning of the show season and return their best scores to the Society at the end of the season. A Show Shetland Scheme has also been introduced.
There are Performance Awards Schemes for both ridden and driven ponies. Points are awarded at certain Shows each year with a trophy for the overall winner
Guidelines for Showing Shetland Ponies
1. Dress : must be neat, no training shoes or jeans. Where possible, ladies should wear a collar and tie or blouse with jacket and neat trousers or skirt. Tartan skirts/kilts or trousers look very smart and enhance the image of the pony. Sensible footwear is essential to allow a pony to be shown effectively. Gentlemen should wear a collar and tie and tweed jacket with neat trousers or a suit or kilt. Hats are not compulsory for either sex but, without doubt, improve the overall picture of pony and handler (and may be compulsory at some Shows). There must be no individual stud, person or pony names displayed in any way in the ring e.g. on clothing, rugs, saddle cloths. Whips or show canes carried must not exceed 30" in length.
2. Ring Etiquette: the Judge should never be spoken to using his/her Christian name. Listen to instructions provided by the Steward or Judge and watch exhibitors in front of you. When asked to walk/trot a pony out, ensure the pony travels with you - do not drag it along. When turning the pony, push it away from you - do not pull it towards you. Do not ever leave the ring before the end of the class without first gaining the permission of the Judge, through the Steward.
3. Trimming/Clipping : the pony’s ears may be trimmed flat but there must be no trimming inside the ear. Trimming of whiskers on the jawline is acceptable. Manes and tails must not be pulled but tails may be rough trimmed to clear the ground if dragging. Leg feathers must not be trimmed. No false hair, artificial colouring or make-up should be used. Working ponies of four years old or over only may be clipped in the interest of welfare. Under no circumstances should foals be clipped. Ponies should always be shown in a clean condition.
4. Tack/Equipment : colts/stallions of two years old or over must be shown bitted. Younger animals and older females may be shown in a suitable headcollar. For In-Hand showing, only plain, English-style jointed or straight bar snaffles are permitted. Chifneys or other similar bits are not acceptable. For ridden classes, no complicated snaffles with excessive cheek pieces are permitted. In the interests of safety, handlers aged 14 yrs. or under must wear a hard hat when exhibiting in In-hand classes. Hard hats must be worn by all ages of exhibitors in ridden classes.
5. Registration/Eligibility : in Affiliated Shows - stallions aged four years or over must hold either a Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society Licence or a Ministry of Agriculture Licence. Three year old fillies with foals at foot may not be shown. Foals must be a minimum of three weeks old on the day of the Show. Colts and stallions are not permitted in Young Handlers classes. Children aged under 14 yrs. may not show colts (excluding foals) or stallions in In-hand classes. Children aged under 12 yrs. may not show stallions in ridden classes. Please ensure your pony is correctly registered in your name.
6. Championships : where a Shetland is eligible to go forward to a Supreme Championship involving other breeds, every effort should be made to attend. This should be considered an honour and a chance to promote and bring the Shetland breed to the attention of others. If you cannot attend a Championship for which you are eligible, please ensure you advise the Show Secretary and/or Steward as soon as possible.
7. General : exhibitors should be aware that a Judge may not place in a class a pony, which to his/her knowledge has been bred, sold, leased or produced by the Judge or his/her immediate family or employer; nor may he/she place a pony in which he/she has a financial interest; nor may he/she place a stallion by whom he/she has had a mare stinted in that season. Should a situation arise when such a pony appears, a referee, preferably on the appropriate panel of Judges, should be appointed by the Show Secretary to place the pony in question in its position in the class. If you intend to show a pony under a Judge falling into any of the above categories, therefore, please ensure you advise the Show Secretary well in advance of the Show. Always check show schedules to see if a current flu vaccination certificate is required.
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