Beginner Looking to do Working Hunter/ Showing HELP PLEASE! :)

[thea243]

Im looking to maybe getting into working hunter/ showing classes. I understand what working hunter classes involved and tack/ dress requirements but I have no idea what judges are looking for in a horse's movement and confirmation. Im 21 and have a 16 yr old 150cm irish sport horse. He is well put together and has no blemishes, careful jump and enjoys hunting, but he is a very odd colour. He is a chestnut/roan with white marks across his body. Will he get marked down/ judged on his colour? Also he is quite cob like so is usually clipped out and hogged, is this acceptable in hunter classes? And finally his tail: he has a very short tail that just will not grow. Its down to his hocks but trails off into a point. Will he get judged on his lack of tail? Is it significant amount of marks and is thee anything I can do about it, like false tails!? (I have no idea :O ! ). Also what other classes would he be suitable for? Hopefully theres some one out there who can help with all my questions! Many thanks in advance heres some photos of him (sorry just dragged out of the stable dirty and untrimmed).

 

[spacefaer]

He's very smart!

Hogging -no, he should be plaited. Tail -it's a bit disappointing and doesn't add to the overall picture, but as far as I know (and I'm ready to stand corrected) you can't use false tails anyway.

From his colouring, I suspect he's got some appaloosa in him, which would explain his mane and tail.

What level of showing were you hoping to do? You should do well at local level, but if you were planning to compete in horse classes at a higher level, he's going to look quite small.

You could also try showing him as a small hunter (up to 15.2hh)