A question for show judges please

[haffymad]

I have a haflinger and have been chatting to other haflinger owners about showing them, it appears down south that they are commonly shown in M&M classes as they are a mountain breed from austria !! So my question is if you saw a haflinger entered in an M&M class here what would your thoughts be in a affliated and unaffiliated class ? Clearly I don't want to get it wrong or be last for the wrong reason, our local show has also suggested I could show her as a coloured as its a fun show and jo public always assume she is a palamino !!!! Any advice gratefully received !

Haffymad

[puddledub]

I can understand you frustration at lack of classes and opportunity to show, but I am sorry, south or north, affiliated or unaffiliated, your pony is neither a M&M or a coloured

Mountain and Moorland classes are for the British Native pony breeds and many schedules will list the breeds included. Even if the actual breeds are not listed does not mean that anyone can enter.

Coloureds are skewbald and piebald only and does not include appaloosa, spotteds, dun, palomino, roan etc etc unless specifcally listed.

If you were to enter any of these classes you would risk the embarrasment of being asked to leave the class or being placed at the bottom of the line if allowed to remain in the class.

More and more shows are scheduling Foreign Breed classes which should fit the bill for what you are looking for and you could also compete in Riding Club/pony club classes, best turned out etc

I am really sorry, as I know this is obviously not what you will have wished to hear, and I am sure there may be the occasional show and the odd judge who may permit you to take part, but to my minf they shouldnt.

What part of the country are you from? and what sort of area would you wish to show in?

Maybe when we know that, anyone who has seen a schedule with classes that might suit you they could let you know.

I am running a show at Brechin Castle on 12 August and am scheduling inhand and ridden classes for Foreign Breeds and also 2tone colours, but of course that may be too from from wherever you are

[haffymad]

Thank you Puddledub and I am in west lothian and tbh its what I expected which is why I asked the question dont want to face that embarrassment !!! The haflinger is much bigger down south and I understand M&M are usually native breeds but as I said they are technically m&m just not native to the uk, but what I find frustrating is that how can she be judged fairly against Fresians, Appys, Luisatanos etc who are nothing like her ? But thank you for taking the time to answer appreciate it, Brechin would be good we have transport X

[gill]

M&Ms are pretty strictly defined in the UK (at afffiliated shows) according to the breeds. I also understand your frustration but I assume you did not buy your mare specifically to show?

With regards to your question about showing her against other foreign breeds, it's pretty much the same as showing an Exmoor against a Welsh Section B as a small M&M. They are very different but you are assuming your judge knows enough about the breed standard of each respective breed to judge your pony fairly. The same should apply for judges of Foreign Breed classes.

[haffymad]

I have done a few shows as she is actually much admired, but you are correct I didn't buy her to show Maybe we should just stick to our dressage lol !!!

[gill]

I think you just need to be careful about the shows you enter and make sure she is eligible.

[Lavender]

I think down South, it is more a case of having their own Haflinger classes, I watched them at 3 Counties Show one year! PD is right, it is British Native Breeds that can compete in M&M classes, I may be wrong, but I think even Eriskay's can be excluded from competing in some M&M classes?

[gill]

Eriskays are only allowed to compete at the RHS or their breed show classes as they are not classed as Native breeds.

[haffymad]

wow I would have thought Eriskays were native !!! Just goes to show you I know at thr Ryal Windsor show this weekend there were Haflinger classses wonder if thats cos Her Majesty has them at Balmoral !!! I am going down to the breed show in July (Just to watch this year!) to see what its all about so will watch out for any foreigh classes coming up (hate to say it but I have been asked on occasion what breed she is !!!!) But thank you ladies X

[Bedrockshetlands]

Agree with others that she isn't eligible for M&M classes. M&M's are against their specific breed standards, whether breeds are specified or not an M&M judge is unlikely to be familiar with breed standards of of Haflinger so almost impossible to judge it alongside our native breeds.

I've noticed quite a few local shows (I'm West Lothian too) including palominos in their coloured section.

Almond RC open show is next Sunday at SNEC and includes palominos in the coloured class, they also has a variety of other classes you could try (generic open and novice ridden, turnout, riding club pony etc)

[jimbo]

Alyth show is opening a class for 'other' breeds this year. Schedule is now available.
Cheers
Jim

[haffymad]

Thank you everybody for taking the time to reply , Bedrockshetlands I am a me ;Dmber of ARC so will be there , thank you Jimbo will have a look

ps hope you dont think me cheeky but if anybpdy comes across one, they are not Palamino but are chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail

[Lavender]

May 12, 2012 22:03:34 GMT haffymad said:

ps hope you dont think me cheeky but if anybpdy comes across one, they are not Palamino but are chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail

LOL! My old show cob was the same colour and it annoyed me when people said he was Palomino!

[Elaine]

Yeah but palomino is easier to say than chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail lol. I used to ride a Haffy so I'm not being discriminating btw lol

[haffymad]

lol that could turn into a whle other post yep easier to say that than chestnut with flaxen mane and tail its a bit of a mouthfull, when describing her I will say she looks just like Barbies pony ha ha !!