Advice on show class!

C

civic

Member
Joined
4 February 2015
Messages
19
Location
Ireland
Visit site
Hi all!

New to the forum!

Bought my first horse in January last year, and am looking some advice on what class to choose for showing him in.

Paddy is 15hh, just turned 7, and had done very little when I bought him. Last year we went to two shows, and on his (and mine!) first day out we placed 2nd in the small hunter class. However, I have been advised by some people since that he would maybe be more suited to the cob class, while other people have told me to stick with the small hunters!

I have now been left uncertain as to what classes I should enter him in this year! Paddy is very head shy, so I am rather apprehensive about hogging him to go in the cob class!

Any opinions would be much appreciated! Pics below, I hope they have attached!!:):)

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net...=d29b60a2ca48b16275fc9a99842798ac&oe=554AA0FE

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net...=9deb49106a6733fd63c2cbafdb23fa08&oe=5567FD78
 
What a lovely horse! I'd keep him in the lightweight hunter classes, but if he'll let you, cut his feathers off, as that will make him look more 'hunterish' :)

You could try cob classes, but if he won't let you hog him, I'd then stick to the hunter classes.
 
Last edited:
I say hog, whip off feathers and go in cobs.

I don't mean this to sound bad or anything, but he defo has the "cobby" head and not really a hunter head!

ETA- are you just planning on doing a few local ones now and again or more? If its just now and again I would keep the mane for the time being if your not too keen on taking it off
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies guys:-)

I defo agree, Paddy does have a bit of a "cobby" head :-) but he still seems to divide opinions!!

I'd love to do a good bit of showing with him during the year, so whatever class suits best we'll go for!

I had taken a three year break from riding after picking up an injury, before I bought Paddy last year. Unfortunately my confidence with regard to jumping and cantering was completely gone when I initially started back, but thanks to Paddy it's now starting to come back! Hopefully once we get going I'd like to change to something like the working hunter class, maybe next year ;-)
 
He is not a true show cob so I would leave the mane on and aim for workers in the future, you could improve the turnout with a few tweaks, feathers need to come off whatever class you do, tail needs pulling properly and to be shorter to show off his bum, a wider noseband would make him appear less cobby, he does not really have a cobby head but in the photo he has too much muscle on the underside of his neck which is doing him no favours, work on building up his topline over the next few months, you should have lots of fun this season.
 
be positive said:
He is not a true show cob so I would leave the mane on and aim for workers in the future, you could improve the turnout with a few tweaks, feathers need to come off whatever class you do, tail needs pulling properly and to be shorter to show off his bum, a wider noseband would make him appear less cobby, he does not really have a cobby head but in the photo he has too much muscle on the underside of his neck which is doing him no favours, work on building up his topline over the next few months, you should have lots of fun this season.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great advice :-) have already invested in a new bridle for this year! and have been putting in some good work over the winter which will hopefully have improved his topline!
 
TBH I dont think he s a small hunter either,I think he has too much bone for small hunters, He is one of those horses that falls between categories.

If you just want to show then I'd pick whatever class you are happiest in. Feathers off, tail pulled and shortened.
 
Definitely not a cob. Turn the muscle up the other way and as said above work hard on his topline then you will see the true horse come through. Feathers off! And yes, a much thicker noseband and wider leather will break his head up a lot. A Double Bridle would suit better but if he doesn't like 2 bits then you could always try show Pelham - 1 mouth piece but with all of the doubles leather work.

Have fun this year!
 
Thanks everyone!

Lots of good advice! Think it's definitely helping me make my mind up!

Plenty of work on topline, and back in for the small hunters again, with a view to the working hunters hopefully next year!! :-)

First show not until April, will let you all know how we get on!! :-)
 
I wouldn't put him cob classes.

He needs work on building his top-line and getting rid of the muscle under his neck, imo. A hunter bridle, with a wider, flat noseband and 2 reins, trimmed legs and a slightly shorter tail would make him look more hunter like. If he jumps well, he probably would do well in local workers.
If you don't want to jump a whole course with him this year, how about putting him in RC horse classes? They usually have one small jump to do and really any type of horse can enter.
 
I am judging cobs next Saturday and would be pleased to see him in my class.

If he moves straight and is polite to ride you should have some fun. Good luck.
 
Looks like a cob to me too. AA knows her cobs / hunters so if she says cob then I think you can be safe in entering him as a cob.
How big is he (sorry, you might have already said) ? He might end up as a maxi if he is over 15.1 (I think this is the max height for LW & MW cobs). he needs more topline, but that's not an over night fix. watch his weight and keep him trim but well muscled. His tail looks a little short too. When he carries it, it needs to be on his hock not above - this looks trimmed to hock height already. don't worry, it will grow quick enough at this time of year. Get it pulled too. When you hog him next see if you can get someone to do it so that it gives the impression of more top line - in other words don't scalp it down to the root but create a bit of an arc along the neck.
With a bit of elbow grease he will look really smart. I hope you have a lovely day and most of all enjoy yourself and your lovely boy.
 
KautoStar1 said:
Looks like a cob to me too. AA knows her cobs / hunters so if she says cob then I think you can be safe in entering him as a cob.
How big is he (sorry, you might have already said) ? He might end up as a maxi if he is over 15.1 (I think this is the max height for LW & MW cobs). he needs more topline, but that's not an over night fix. watch his weight and keep him trim but well muscled. His tail looks a little short too. When he carries it, it needs to be on his hock not above - this looks trimmed to hock height already. don't worry, it will grow quick enough at this time of year. Get it pulled too. When you hog him next see if you can get someone to do it so that it gives the impression of more top line - in other words don't scalp it down to the root but create a bit of an arc along the neck.
With a bit of elbow grease he will look really smart. I hope you have a lovely day and most of all enjoy yourself and your lovely boy.
Click to expand...

Hi! Paddy is bang on 15hh, so we're hoping to compete in the lightweight cobs where we can! Most of the entries I've sent so far are shows that only have one cob class though ( any weight and up to 15.1hh):(:( Believe it or not his tail had just been pulled when this pic was taken, it's just so thick and curly!!! :D:D We still have quite a bit to work on, thank you for your lovely comments!! :):)
 
He looks nice and true to type, my only concern would be that at 15hh he will look small compared to the rest. Shouldn't matter but sadly it does. Have him immaculately turned out and going at his best ie. i "ride it like you stole it"

Keep us posted with photos!
 
He looks lovely! But about your Pelham - you don't need a slip head with those ones. The cheek pieces should attach to the wee loop at the top not the big loop that your top rein is also on.
 
Hi guys,

After all the great advice, I just thought I'd put up another few pics to show you how myself and Paddy had progressed!

The first is from our County Agri Show, and the second is winning our first showing red ribbon at a riding club show :)

Both pics from Summer 2016, and I think he looks a lot different from 12 months previous :)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1257646110915114&set=a.162856603727409.34108.100000092113337&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1244376405575418&set=a.162856603727409.34108.100000092113337&type=3&theater
 
Wow he is stunning! The links to the first photos you put up have seemed to expire, would you be able to re post them, would love to see his progress!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top