SHOWING & EVENTS
Below you can find information on Showing in the UK as well as our annual events, awards, and schemes.
EVENTS, AWARDS & SCHEMES
We try to run events throughout the year but find that most of us catch up properly in person at our AGM or National Breed Show and Inspection of young stock. We also run online dressage competitions and a points awards system. We keep in touch through Newsletter which is published 4 times a year aswell as a dedicated members-only Facebook page that is good for sharing tips/info or asking for help or information.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Normally held the last Sunday in February. Venue: Pickering Grange Equestrian, Leicester. All members are invited to attend. At this meeting Society affairs are discussed, new committee members are elected and annual Breeding & Merit awards are presented.
NATIONAL HAFLINGER BREED SHOW
This is a show run by the Society for members to compete with their registered Haflingers.
Breed Show 2024 Dates: 25th – 27th July 2025
New Venue for 2025: Pickering Grange Equestrian, Ellistown Terrace Rd, Ellistown, Coalville LE67 1EZ.
This is a great weekend for all to enjoy some friendly competition as well as an opportunity for our community to get together.
We have our own Facebook group dedicated to the show on which you can get all the updates about the runnings of the show.
BREEDING & MERIT AWARDS
The Society celebrates the contributions of its breeders, owners, and horses through both Breeding and Special Merit awards.
These awards are presented at the AGM each year.
POINTS AWARD SCHEME
The Points Award scheme is a way of being rewarded for being active out and about with your Haflinger! The Scheme supplies you with a Points book to keep track of your outings and or placings, the points are then tallied up at the end of the year to see who was most active.
The scheme has categories for Stallions, Youngstock, Mares & Geldings, Veterans, Newcomers and runs from April 1st to March 31st. It costs £10 to participate.
To get involved contact our Points Award Coordinator Izzy Barker
TRAINING BURSARY SCHEME
The Training Bursary is a scheme the Society runs to encourage our members to achieve their goals! We annually award £150 to one Young Rider (21& Under) and one Adult Rider. The winners update us on their training journey in our quarterly newsletter, and commit to attending at least one County Show.
Applications for the Bursary scheme normally open around April/May, so if you wish to apply keep an eye out for the announcement via email/newsletter.
SHOWING
Haflingers excel in the showing world as they can enter a variety of classes from in hand to ridden showjumping to fancy dress. They are presented in a natural state and often enter classes either dedicated to Haflingers or classes such as foreign breeds. Most usual showing rules apply except that dedicated Haflinger In-hand classes may use the Austrian triangle to show the breed. Due to the versatility of the breed, they can enter local shows, county shows or the National Breed show although some may be subject to being UK registered and Society membership.
SHOWS WITH HAFLINGER CLASSES
(You must be a current member to enter any of these shows)
Held in mid-May
Haflinger In-hand & Ridden Classes
Held in mid-June
Haflinger In-hand & Ridden Classes
Held in late June
Haflinger In-hand & Ridden Classes
Usually held the last weekend July
Show run by the Haflinger Society.
Wide range of classes including Dressage, Show Jumping, Ridden & In-hand Showing, Driving, Style & Performance & fun classes.
HSGB JUDGES
HAFLINGER SHOWING
Horse Turnout
Horses should be shown in their natural state with free manes and tails. For neatness subtle trimming of the ears, jawline and heels are advised. Hoof oil where used should be natural/clear. Quarter marks and plaiting are not permitted.
You are being judged in all classes for the horse's: manners, conformation, type, and way of going (plus ride if applicable).
In-Hand Tack
Halfingers of all ages can be shown in in-hand bridles with a bit and coupling, or Austrian show halters, foal slips for foals.
Coloured browbands are not considered suitable, but brass clencher browbands may be appropriate for Inhand
classes i.e. stallions.
Handler Turnout
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Tweed jackets/waistcoats. Shirt with collar and tie. Trousers and short boots.
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Riding hat or other appropriate headwear, eg bowler, trilby, cap, panama.
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Gloves (usually brown)
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Showing cane (not exceeding 30”)
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Schooling and dressage whips are not permitted.
Rider Turnout
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Tweed jacket, shirt with collar and tie.
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Beige, buff, canary jodhpurs.
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Long riding boots or jodhpur boots for juniors
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Brown gloves, showing cane not exceeding 30” (75cms).
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For the ladies, hair neatly and securely tied in a hairnet.
Riden Tack
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Plain and simple workmanlike tack.
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Saddles should try and show off the shoulder with a discreet numnah if needed.
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Bridles can be a Pelham/double for open, intermediate, and restricted classes. Snaffle bridles for novice classes.
In Hand
The Triangle
'The Triangle' is the traditional Austrian method of showing Haflingers which we also practice in classes at the National Haflinger Breed show.
The process is as follows:
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Stand the horse up square in behind the horizontal pole, present the horse on the side where the mane doesn't fall so that the judge can see the horse's conformation.
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After being told by the judge walk a lap around the triangle.
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On the second lap trot along each side, pausing in the corners. The goal is to show straightness going away, length of stride along the back, and straightness again coming towards the judge.
Top tips:
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Run, Run Run! Along the long side make sure you sprint!
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Practice walking and trotting out at home. Always walk and trot at the pace of your horse which is not always your pace!
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Don't worry if you overshoot the corners, the space is there for you to use.
Foreign Breeds Classes
Some foreign breed classes require you to enter the ring in trot on the left rein and then you line up one behind the other.
Just like regular showing classes, you will be asked to walk away and trot straight back towards the judge and past them. If the judge asks you to trot straight back towards them, that is what you do, they will move out of your way but will not move too far to see if your horse is moving straight.
Concours D'Elegance
Affiliation
We are delighted to announce we are Affiliated with the
Concours D'Elegance Society Of Great Britain.
This means for anyone placed first - third in any of our Concours classes at the Breed Show, can qualify for their Championship Show.
January Johnnsen
I was absolutely thrilled to win the Ridden Astride Concours class and subsequently the overall Concours Championship at this years Breed Show. I’ve been competing in concours classes since 2017 (many of you will remember my pony’s departure at speed across the arena the first time we tried the class!) and have really enjoyed the experience of dressing up and trying to portray a picture of elegance. Kai has gradually got used to the big skirts and gave me a lovely steady ride. My costume this year was inspired by a portrait of a lady riding side saddle in a pale purple outfit. I couldn’t find an exact colour match but when I saw the material for the skirt, I knew it would look fabulous on a Haflinger. A lucky search on EBay found me the jacket and then it was a case of several hours of sewing trims and embellishments on with the help of a very patient friend. As it was my first go actually making a costume instead of buying one from a specialist maker, this was very trial and error and our first outing late last year made me realise the skirt was far too long. However, we managed to adjust the length without too much hassle and I was really pleased at how it sat on Kai at the Breed Show. My top tip for keeping a skirt hanging straight is sewing curtain weights in the hem! We were delighted to do so well and look forward to representing the Haflinger Society at the Concours Society of Great Britain Championship show in September 2023.
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THE SHOWING COUNCIL
The inaugural meeting of The Showing Council was held on 26th June 2006, with members of eleven of the leading showing societies being present. The Showing Council now represents nineteen key showing bodies including Haflinger Society of Great Britain. The aim of The Showing Council is to: Discuss, agree and advance (through the B.E.F. and other bodies) policies advantageous and beneficial to its members’ interests, primarily in respect of showing, and achieve official recognition of this sport (similar to that afforded to other disciplines) and to bring about voluntary co-operation between its members.” As a member we acquire affiliate membership of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF). Membership of The Showing Council and Affiliate membership of BEF bring substantial benefits to all parties: · We get access to their policies, advice, and support on a wide range of related subjects, such as those concerned with Safeguarding, Child Protection and Safety Hat Standards. · Third party funding applications have increased weight when supported by these bodies · We get a network of fellow members where we can exchange views and develop our own policies and practices, this works both ways, we have been able to provide advice in areas where we have already developed policies. As the world we live in changes, the environment we operate in has become a more difficult one to navigate. Working together with our fellow members has become increasingly important, particularly in area animal welfare. Finally, as a member of the SC we are able to tell the story of our great Haflinger horses to a wider audience.