Photos of Mane Braided for Hunter Classes

[Jitterbug]

Does anyone have a really good picture of their horse's mane braided for a hunter class ? I think I know what to do but it would help if I could see a photo of a horse's mane up close. I braided manes and tails for a living 30 years ago on the "A" hunter/jumper circuit and only braiding one braid versus 35 or 40 is quite a change for me. Is it wrong to put a French roll on a mini's tail once it's braided ?

Justine

 

[Jill]

Just wanted to give this a bump for you.

Not sure how many actually braid the minis, but maybe someone else will have some good input.

 

[Mnmini]

No experience with the french roll type braid minis use for hunter, just standard hunter braids. I've personally never been particularly fond of the tail braiding though..especially when the horse tends to carry their tail well away from their rumps. I WISH we could put regular hunter braids in, and leave them in for all classes (in the case of an all-around horse), and not have to worry about pulling them for showmanship, or the driving classes, kind of like we do at quarter horse shows. When I showed my hunter under saddle horse in trail, or showmanship, he showed with his braids in, and never had any issues with the judges (it is common practice at the AQ shows).

If this was submitted as a potential rule change to AMHR, do you think there would be many objections?

 

[Dr. Pam]

We usually braid for Hunter, especially at big shows. I really like the idea of being able to leave the driving horses braided up--we always have the manes up for ADS events.

 

[Mnmini]

Say Dr. Pam,

Maybe we think alike?

I've watched the youth at Nationals in hunter/jumper, and they tend to dress in black slacks and the like, but I can't remember what they were wearing for tops (apparently I just watch from pony height, lol). In big horse in hand, standard dress is kahkies, and solid colored polo shirt, but perhaps that's too casual for adults at Nationals?

 

[Jitterbug]

So is it "taboo" to have a driving horse's mane braided if it has just shown in a hunter class or will be going right back in the ring to show in hunter class after driving ?

The general consensus seems to be everyone braids their manes in one single braid even if they have the experience to braid hunter braids.

Thanks for everyone's help !

Justine

 

[Amy]

I, personallly do NOT like to see driving horses with braids!!

 

[Kim]

In AMHA you're not allowed to have the mane or tail braided for driving classes, or any other class except hunter or jumper. This is probably the reason why people braid the mane with one french braid instead of numerous braids like in big horses. Also, to have numerous braids you'd have to cut the mane really short the whole way along the neck, which would look ridiculous unbraided.

In response to the question about what people wear in hunter and jumper classes, in AMHA most will wear a similar outfit to what you'd wear in a halter class, although vests and slinkies are also very appropriate. No short sleeves, though. For footwear, running shoes are okay instead of dress shoes or boots. I haven't shown AMHR, but from the pictures I've seen of Nationals, it seems to be a lot more casual - casual attire is inappropriate for an AMHA show.