Thanks
He's a lovely chap. A cracking, chunky boy. I really like him.
I don't think he fits into either category for county level showing (mane or no mane) but local level wise, no reason why you couldn't do either, plus the WH and have a lot of fun with him, and for less money.
If you really want to do some big shows and he jumps well enough, maybe do some county level WHs with him. Something that doesn't quite fit the mould but which consistently jumps clear in the opens will frequently get a place in the line up and, depending on the jumping standard of the rest/how challenging a particular course is, could even be standing at the top of it on occasion too.
I think there are ID shows around the country I would be really tempted to do those he really is lovely, it's a shame his not quite right for county classes but at local level I think he would do really well.
At unaffiliated, absolutely. My hogged ISH was essentially a cob but I showed him in Hunter classes several times and he was always placed - he came 3rs at Equifest due to his schooling even though he wasn't the right type for the class due to the disgust of some of the other competitors ?