how can i improve

[steff]

hi all
we were at our local county show with a couple of horses yesterday.
On one of my horses i did the ridden hunter class which was huge (approx 18 in it). i was a little dissapointed that we wern't placed especially as after the jusdge rode she said he was one of the best she had ridden even though he was the smallest in the class.

Just wanting a little advice as to our turnout for showing and weather we wer in the right class or not?

please feel free to give you honest opinion i won't take offense.









and one of my little guy as well

[haltnotsquare]

To be really picky I would say your jacket looks a little baggy and you should find a number elastic that's nice and discreet but as I said that is just being picky! Your turnout IMO looks just dandy as it is.

Your horse is lovely and turned out well, smashing healthy glean to him. Tho' will his mane plait to the other side - I always think it looks nicer.

Did you ask the judge for feedback? Don't be afraid to do this, most will happily give you pointers on what would have you higher up the line for them. And remember another judge could have had a completely different result ;-)

For me I would maybe like to see a little more condition but then again it can be hard to tell from a picture. Some judges are sizeist - I used to get it in mixed classes with Druid ie you're not 17 hands so you can't win!!

At local level I don't see why you can't try him in hunter, riding horse, Working hunter and riding club horse? Try them all and see what the judges prefer him in

As for the wee guy, I don't know much about spotties but he should be in an in hand bridle or halter of some description rather than a head collar.

[rosebud]

Firstly, very well done to you for getting out there and giving the class a go!

I agree with HNS, your jacket looks slightly too big and plait his mane over to the otherside so that the plaits are on the side facing the judge. Also, with your forelock plait, rather than rolling it up, try folding it instead so that it is a longer plait that will sit neatly under his browband. I can't quite see from the photo, but if you've plaited his tail, try pulling it instead or get a tail rake and give it a pulled look

My crit is that i would try using a slightly thicker noseband on him, i think the one you've got on is a little too fine for him. I'd try and get a bit more topline on him. I don't think that he needs any more weight, just a bit of topline over his neck which will come with work.

To me, he seems slightly in between types from those photo's. Almost too light for a hunter, but a little too much bone for a riding horse, but i think that i would try him in a riding horse class and see how you get on. If you have a friend with a coloured browband, try it on him and see how you get on. Then if you find that you have more success with him as a riding horse, invest in your own blingy browband and away you go, or if shows have the class (which not many do) have a go at small hunter classes with him. Sometimes with the in betweeners, you can get away with doing both small hunter and riding horse

[rosebud]

For your spotty, i'd say, try using a rope halter or in hand bridle (you can get ones that don't take bits as well as ones that do) and if you have time and can manage, change into a pair of slacks, rather than your joddies and long boots, but .... lovely pony!

If you can't get spotty/appy classes, and if it were my pony, going by the photo, i'd put a bridle on it, pull, plait up and turn out as a riding pony/hunter pony

[gill]

Agree with others - IMHO he needs more condition as well as topline but I'm not advocating piling the weight on, just getting him a little better 'covered' if that makes sense.

I also think he would benefit from a thicker noseband if you are going down the hunter route - his head would take it and it would complement him nicely.

[bigbutt]

Hi
I ditto gill. IMHO i think he needs just a little more conditon so you can feel but not see his ribs and more topline, which will come with correct work. Apart from that you both look great. Well done.

[sparkler]

I agree he needs more muscle - to show off his frame. He looks a substantial horse and Im sure that when he has filled into himself you will do well with him. He has good bone and is very workmanlike - so I think you will find a variety of classes for him to do - versatility is the name of the game - good luck, he looks honest and genuine as well. Above all enjoy him and what you do together. :-)

[caz]

hey your horse is the same build as my boy and he's inbetween 2 classes! He has the build of a medium weight but not the hight and is just a little bit 2 heavy looking for the lightweight
After asking some judges at affiliated shows they tell me he is a working hunter so trying to do more of they classes this year but to also do the lightweigh classes! He also does well in riding club 2!
Just have a go and ask the judge for advice and always remember to have fun!

[pickwickayr]

Try doing lots of hill work , trotting up hill really slowly wih his nose right down almost between his knees, it wil her him working through his back and really help build up the topline. He looks a lovely type. Would b a nice working hunter! Or he may really look the part with a pretty browband on in a riding horse class. The spotty pony would look lovely plaited up as a riding pony, would really stand out amongst all the bays!x

[jaffa21]

well done. If he were mine i would get more weight on him.