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Showing Guidelines

Led Presentation
Presenting your Horse for Led Breed Classes

The AHAA Guidelines suggest the use of either ‘Simple Spanish Attire’, Authentic Spanish Costume or English Hacking Attire for handlers in Led Breed Classes.  The following applies to both Pure and Partbred Andalusians.  There is no difference in how they are presented.

 

‘Simple Spanish’ means dark trousers/ jodhpurs, a white or plain muted colour shirt & a plain, dark coloured vest (optional).  A flat black, Spanish hat would be appropriate but not essential.

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Authentic Spanish (which is becoming more widespread) is tailored in muted earthy tones & does not include bright colours, braids & other adornments.  It is acceptable for ladies to wear either culottes or the mid-calf length mens riding pants but not skirts.  Long leather boots are traditional.  

Authentic Spanish can be in the style of Doma Vaquera OR 20th Centaury Doma Clasica. 

        Doma Vaquera - Grey striped OR dark coloured trousers with caireles (jewelry like ornamentation that hangs off the pant leg,                                                  usually silver) on each leg, or grey striped trousers with white turnups. A Panuelo (a long length of satin or silk                                                worn around the waist, often exhibiting a polka dot pattern). White dress shirt with Campera jacket (short jacket                                            with five buttons on the front and five buttons on each sleeve) where only the top button is fastened at the front.                                          A Sombrero - Rocio style is most popular, usually grey or black. Traditionally paired with brown or tan leather                                                boots with a small heel. 

        Doma Clasica - Dark trousers with 5 caireles on each leg. A Panuelo. White lace trimmed dress shirt with Paseo (short Spanish                                                riding jacket, double breasted) or Rejoneador jacket. Sombrero - Rocio style is most popular, usually grey or black.                                        Traditionally paired with brown leather boots. 

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Turnout for 'Simple Spanish' & Authentic Spanish - 

        Stallions - This encompasses entire males two years and over. Mane, forelock and tail are to be left natural, a bridle path is NOT                                   traditional. The luxurious mane, tail and forelock of the Andalusian horse is renown and therefore it is usual to                                             encourage as much growth as possible.  

                           Stallions are traditionally exhibited in a Spanish Serreta with either a plain or ribboned browband (conventionally,                                         horses born in Andalucia wear a browband of green and white ribbons, those born in the rest of Spain wear red and                                   yellow. Other than this, some studs adopt stud or house colours for their ribbons.) It should be noted that breed events                             run by organizing bodies other than the AHAA may require stallions to be exhibited in a bit and/or with a chain. The                                     organizing body should be consulted prior to attending the event if a Serreta is considered suitable headgear should                                   you wish to use one. Stallions may at the discretion of the handler at AHAA events be shown in a Serreta, halter and                                     chain combination, English style bridle with bit or a combination of previous. A long lightweight lead rope is                                                   recommended as it is best suited to the Spanish workout, traditionally a plaited leather lead rope. 

        Mares - Traditionally mares are exhibited with the mane removed in a manner so as to enhance the shape of the neck. This is                                   normally achieved with a sharp pair of scissors in order to create the optimum shape for that particular individual. Most                             mares retain a long forelock however some mares facial profile may be enhanced by the removal of their forelock also. In                           regards to the tail, traditionally the top 8-10inches are shaved close to the dock while the bottom of the tail is squared off                           somewhere between the hock and fetlock so as to best enhance the features of that individual. For mares that are                                       primarily kept for the purposes of riding the mane, tail and forelock my be left natural and free flowing like that of the                                 stallion. In Australia some choose to exhibit their breeding mares in this manner also. 

                       Mares may be exhibited in a Serreta, English inhand bridle or an Arab-type show halter. A ordinary head collar may be                                 used however it is not the preferred option and must be in good working order.   

        Youngstock - Foals and Yearlings are traditionally exhibited with the mane, tail and forelock shaved in order to enhance the shape                                    of the neck.  At the age of two years colts may begin to start growing out their mane, tail and forelock, this may                                              require some removal of scraggly growth for exhibition purposes until the full growth has come in. For fillies the                                            forelock may be allowed to grow in as can the bottom of the tail, while maintaining the shaved dock and mane. 

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For all genders false tails are NOT permitted. Makeup is not traditional and it is preferred that it not be used, however should you choose to use makeup it must be subtle. Please note that the AHAA strongly discourages the removal of inner ear hair (ie shaved ears) and the trimming of facial whiskers around the muzzle and eyes. A tidy of any long hairs on the face, hair protruding past the rim of the ear and any feathering on the backs of the legs may be neatly removed however if left they will not incur any penalty. 

Clipping and the use of hoof black are both acceptable at AHAA events. 

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English Hacking Attire being like that used in ridden classes consisting of Jodhpurs, white dress shirt, hacking jacket, stock/tie ect is considered more acceptable than that of the 'fashion on the fields' style of dress. 

For gentlemen a Sober-coloured smart and sensibly-styled jacket or alternatively, a sober-coloured waistcoat on hot days. Sober-coloured trousers. Long-sleeved shirt with collar, plus tie, bow-tie or stock.  and an optional hat - akubra, bowler, trilby, or flat cap set firmly on the head. Is an acceptable alternative to the ridden hacking attire. 

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The English Hacking attire is reserved for those who choose to exhibit their horses with a plaited mane and tail. This is most often partbred or derivative individuals who may not strongly exhibit Spanish traits, horses who have a scraggly or damaged mane and tail or horses who have had their manes trimmed for the purposes of other disciplines. When showing in English hacking attire an English in hand bridle or double bridle is often used, those exhibiting pure Spanish horses in this manner should note that they may be requested to perform the Spanish Workout which is best done with a long lead. 

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False tails are NOT permitted. Makeup is not traditional and it is preferred that it not be used, however should you choose to use makeup it must be subtle. Please note that the AHAA strongly discourages the removal of inner ear hair (ie shaved ears) and the trimming of facial whiskers around the muzzle and eyes. A tidy of any long hairs on the face, hair protruding past the rim of the ear and any feathering on the backs of the legs may be neatly removed however if left they will not incur any penalty. 

Clipping and the use of hoof black are both acceptable at AHAA events. 

Ridden Presentation
Presenting your Horse for Ridden Breed Classes

The AHAA recommends that ridden presentation for breed events is done in either Authentic Spanish attire or English Hacking or Hunter attire. The following applies to both Purebred and Partbred Andalusians, there is no difference in how they are presented. 

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Authentic Spanish rider attire is the same as that used for the led events with a choice of Doma Vaquera or Doma Clasica style. 

        Doma Vaquera - tack includes the Doma Vaquera saddle and One-handed bridle with leather mosquera.

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        Doma Clasica - tack includes the Espa ola saddles and Spanish double bridle with horsehair mosquera.

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English Hacking/Hunter Attire like that of the led English attire consists of light-coloured jodhpurs/breeches, a white dress shirt paired with a hacking or hunter jacket. Tie or stock, gloves (NOT white), for women a hair net or neat bun and long riding boots in the same colour as the tack. spurs and a showing cane/dressage whip are optional. 

For gentlemen a Sober-coloured smart and sensibly-styled jacket or alternatively, a sober-coloured waistcoat on hot days. Sober-coloured trousers. Long-sleeved shirt with collar, plus tie, bow-tie or stock. Is an acceptable alternative to the ridden hacking attire.

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Tack should consist of an English saddle, generally either a show saddle, dressage saddle or all purpose saddle. And either a standard Snaffle with cavesson, drop or flash noseband, or simple double bridle. A double bridle should only be considered for those horses training high school levels. Both bridle and saddle should be the same colour leather traditionally either black or brown. 

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For both Authentic Spanish and English presentation styles it is recommended that horses be plaited to produce a smart appearance. Manes may be plaited either in Spanish style, conventional plaits, macram style or looped-up long plaits. False tails are NOT permitted. As per led events makeup is not recommended but if used must be subtle, the AHAA strongly discourages the removal of inner ear hair (ie shaved ears) and the trimming of facial whiskers around the muzzle and eyes. A tidy of any long hairs on the face, hair protruding past the rim of the ear and any feathering on the backs of the legs may be neatly removed however if left they will not incur any penalty. 

Clipping and the use of hoof black are both acceptable at AHAA events. 

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Caballeriza Mateo II.jpg

Caballeriza Mateo II and Ben Terry

Costume Class Guidelines