Choosing a horse for in-hand showing and horse agility

Arthur-Badger-And Me

Arthur-Badger-And Me

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So I have one spare stable since by boy Arthur has gone to his loan home :( and I have a lot of spare time! I have had a go at showing a few times with Badger but have been told that he is 'more of a happy hacker than a show horse' by a judge! I have never been more insulted in my life, you can insult me but NEVER insult my horse! Anyway he got a 2nd in the show after that so he cant be that bad :) Ok so I have a £1000 budget (would like to stay as low as I can though) and as I have one spare stable, lot's of free time and really want to get into in-hand showing I have decided I want to get a non-ridden companion who I can show and do horse agility to keep their mind active. I have got weaving poles, jumps and trotting poles etc.
So basically I am asking should I look at a horse (14.2hh+) or a smaller pony? Should I get a young horse bred for showing or an older horse looking for a quieter life? Do I get a purebred show horse or a pretty cross-breed?
I want a horse/pony who will be happy to have a go at new things in-hand jumping, walking out on hacks (non-ridden), sort of horse who will turn its hoof to most things but it wont be ridden.
I am super excited to start searching for my perfect non-ridden companion for showing, agility, being lead out on hacks and even taken for walks on the beach (only an hour away in the car) etc.
Can anyone recommend whether you think a pony or horse would be best? Young or old? Anyone know any breeds (obviously each individual horse is different though) that could be suitable?
Thank you so much?

I have fallen in love with this little lad :) But do you think it would be a shame for him to not pursue his ridden career seeing as he is broken and doing well? Or as he is young will he just happily adjust as long as he is kept busy doing his agility, being lead out on hacks, showing and practicing for showing etc. ?? He is only 2 hours away from me though but he is over my budget :/ , here is the link:
http://www.adhorse.co.uk/horseforsale_62850.html

I also love this mare, she seems a bit more suitable as she is for sale as 'will make a great riding horse or broodmare' well broodmare isn't ridden and in my opinion a little bit boring for them so surely being a little show and agility pony would be fun? She also a youngster, totally able so will be able to do loose jumping etc. And she is only 2 and a half hours away :) TEMPTING!
http://www.adhorse.co.uk/horseforsale_62845.html

What do you think?
 
Is there any reason not to consider a rescue horse/pony? You could get a non-ridden companion for a small fee or possibly free from a reputable charity
 
You are in an absolutely wonderful position to be able to offer a special horse a much needed home.

There are so many horses who cannot be ridden for various reasons, in dire need of a home. Id be looking for one of those. Find something with fabulous conformation, with good stable and ground manners, who is sound at walk and trot. Maybe put a wanted advert up yourself, I would reckon you would be flooded with offers.
 
I would say second pony may come good, but at the moment is not outstanding, lacks presence.
For me the first pony might need to be kept on a diet, and probably has presence but the forelegs seem to be too far forward.
I am no expert, I know what I like, but neither of these would my idea of show ponies, sorry.
 
I like the pony. BUT, has been shown in hand is not the same as "won every time shown"
I would go to one of the big breed sales and buy one that is first or second in its class, that way you get one which is judged as best type for its breed, which is essential in my opinion.
 
What do you think of these rescue ponies? who do you think would suit me best? want to narrow it down to 3 favourites to ring up about and hopefully go and see tomorrow :)

https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/gonsal-farm-animal-centre/petsearch/details/ROSIE/124187/rehome
https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/gonsal-farm-animal-centre/petsearch/details/FLO/124186/rehome
https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/gonsal-farm-animal-centre/petsearch/details/JUNIOR/108208/rehome

I love this one :) Little Sharky, I think I have fallen in love with him! https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/gonsal-farm-animal-centre/petsearch/details/SHARKY/107648/rehome

https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/gonsal-farm-animal-centre/petsearch/details/SPRITE/103608/rehome
https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/gonsal-farm-animal-centre/petsearch/details/MINDY/103577/rehome

Also like this little man :)
He is literally so close and so beautiful!
http://www.adhorse.co.uk/horseforsale_62181.html
 
I am not to worried about winning and going super high in the rankings, I really just want some fun! Obviously it would be good to have a winning in-hand pony but I am happy with an outgoing fun little pony who will have a go at different things! :)
 
This stunning little mare is right on my doorstep, has done well in in-hand showing and has potential in driving- so I could pursue that side of things as well possibly in the future? My sister has broken two of hers to drive (first one with help from an instructor) so she knows what she is doing :) and well I could get the instructor as well, in fact that would be a much better idea!

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/113238997/stunning-dun-section-a-mare.html
 
I fostered a youngster from RSPCA Gonsal Farm. Thoroughly recommend them.

Maybe go and have a look and discuss with them what you are looking for? They had a pony last year that they suggested could do in hand agility, so the idea would not be alien to them.
 
I'd go for a welsh sec A or B. Lots about that are well bred but cheap purely because of sheer numbers, a trawl of the breed groups on Facebook would probably give you half a dozen within striking distance for under £500 quite easily

A registered Welshie would give you a good choice of showing classes. they are fun ponies and easy to look after

I'd personally get something that is at least backed as otherwise if you ever come to sell you're going to have to explain why they never got backed which could make buyers wary
 
Sprite looks an interesting one, and the only one that looks good enough to show from the rspca, you need to ask the RSPCA, a stallion is not a good idea.
I know you don't mind not having a rosette, but it is demoralising being last every time, so it is essential to have something that will do a nice trot in hand.
 
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For showing purposes I like the first C. Bear in mind however you have to run mighty fast to show a C in hand, even an A for that matter! None of the others do much for me to be honest. The section A looks to have very little length of rein.
If I were you I would first decide which breed or type I had a passion for and then look at breeders websites to get an idea which breeders stock I preferred. If you are going to show you may as well have something capable of winning - a bad 'un costs the same to feed as a good 'un!
 
He should be nicer too once he's fully grown and no longer bum high. :p The sire is part bred Welsh, so this chap could possibly be shown in PBW classes (do they have the same 12.5% or over cut off that PBA's have?) as well as PBA classes.
 
I am going to gonsal farm today with the intentions of looking at Sprite and Sharky and telling them what I am looking for so hopefully they will be able to show me who would be most suitable :)
After A LOT of searching I think I have decided that I prefer cobs, I have always had a passion for them so I think I will look more in that direction than section a and b's!
Just realized the price difference though, nice ready to show section a= £800 nice ready to show cob=£1500
 
I don't think Sharky is going to do your job, yes , poor old thing needs a home, but really you want a bit of pony for agility. With all the will in the world Sharky is never going to develop in to a nice type.
For showing, some knee action and an attractive forward going type with presence, as long as you can run fast enough [this can be a problem for Welsh Section C and D owners].

You seem in a great hurry to get something, and a lot of these adverts seem to be random, not very great specimens. I think you need to spend a bit of time looking at good examples of cobs, go to a few shows, select your idea of the winner, see if you are getting your eye in. You have know what a good horse looks like, there are loads of images of horses with bad conformation, and as a horse owner you should be able to identify the basics.
What makes a horse special for showing: good conformation is a given, then presentation by the handler. But if a horse has presence [and a few will have this precious element] this will make the job easier. There is no point in lowering the bar just because you have an empty stable.
 
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Faracat said:
Out of the ones that you have posted, the Sec C stallion catches my eye. http://www.adhorse.co.uk/horseforsale_62181.html

I don't show Welshies myself, but he fits in more with the ones that I have seen being shown around my area. He's got 'the look' that seems to be popular - compact with white markings and lots of spark.
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He is nice, but really he has special needs:
A fit strong handler.
A good strong stallion fence.
 
OP If you get a youngster I do think it would be responsible to break it to ride or drive to secure its future, otherwise if you find yourself unable to care for it in the future it's options and chances of a good home are a bit limited.

I'd ditto someone else, you can get a nice welsh A or B reasonably cheaply - you could get something a bit older (and do M+M and veteran showing then), an ex broodie or something not suitable as a childs ride (some are far too sharp and therefore are difficult to place).
 
Arthur-Badger-And Me said:
I am going to gonsal farm today with the intentions of looking at Sprite and Sharky and telling them what I am looking for so hopefully they will be able to show me who would be most suitable :)
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Gonsal Farm is open 6 days a week, but closes every Wednesday. It says so on their website :).

https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/gonsal-farm-animal-centre/


Bonkers2 said:
You seem in a great hurry to get something, and a lot of these adverts seem to be random, not very great specimens.
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Agree with this.

OP, take a deep breath, decide what it is that you are really looking for, then do some more research as to the best type. There would be no harm in going to Gonsal Farm (when it's open) for a look around, it's a magnificent set up (purpose built with monies from a legacy). I wouldn't approach them about rehoming yet, though.

The re homing people, quite rightly, want to check that you really know what you want, as the last thing they need is an animal boomeranging back because you've changed your mind as to what you want the animal for.
 
 
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http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...carmarthen/reg-palomino-sec-d-cob-467108.html A bit plain but having a pally does open up the option of doing pally classes.

RE the stallion, I did wonder if the OP was considering gelding him if they don't have the facilities for a stallion. He could be a very, very unwise choice if the OP doesn't have the correct experience (he has been bred from after all) or facilities, but he is the horse that I like the most from their links. I will leave it to the OP to judge if a stallion is a sensible choice or not for them.
 
Pickmere stud in Cheshire specialise in show ponies, and have done for many years. They are having to close down due to the high speed rail link going through their home. So are selling off there stock. Might worth giving them a call.
 
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