Competing a Shire Cross

[Tami-and-Floss]

Hi all. Need your advice. Been out of the showing ring for a good few years now so want your help. I'm due to start competing a shire cross, approximately 16hh. I'll attach a photo but need your advice on classes. Want to keep the full mane look! Also, what colour tweed jacket would be best?

 

[Tami-and-Floss]

Anyone know how to add photos?

 

[LeannePip]

If you add the photo to photo bucket and then copy the IMG code into your post it should work

For a Shire X you will have to pull and plait for any eligible classes as only natives and traditionals are left full maned and feathered, of which he is neither

 

[abbijay]

Some riding clubs have Ridden Heavy Horse classes that frequently include part breds but it will depend on the show. Personally I would not show a shire cross as a heavy horse unless it is crossed with something that makes it look like a purebred (e.g. cob cross). If you are showing to type and it looks like a real heavy (with full feathers) then ideally you should look to put in the proper shire horse braids.

 

[Casey76]

Nearly all of the shire xs I've known look like a heavier warmblood, or even NH-type TB depending on what the cross was with - therefore pulling and plaiting are needed.

 

[smja]

Nearly all of the shire xs I've known look like a heavier warmblood, or even NH-type TB depending on what the cross was with - therefore pulling and plaiting are needed.

This. A friend has a lovely shire x that has done fairly well shown as a HW hunter.

 

[WelshD]

If the horse is a solid colour your options for the mane are limited, it would need to be pulled and plaited or hogged depending on the type of horse

Many Shire crosses that height show in hunter or maxi cob classes depending on type

 

[Crackerz]

Unless you want to do the novelty classes such as best mare, gelding, best tail etc, then your only option for showing will be to pull and plait properly (Or hog, if he is that type)


to add photos, you need to upload to photobucket then copy & paste the

 

[AdorableAlice]

I have got a young one. He won't trouble any hunter judges though ! He is an ecking great furry fool.

 

[Tami-and-Floss]

This is Jess. As you can see she has got a lot of the shire, just not the height/size.

Edit: Apologies that the quality isn't very good!

 

[be positive]

She has a lovely kind eye but to show in anything other than the fun classes she will need to have that mane pulled and plaited, the tail pulled and the feathers taken off, you could then do ridden hunters, working hunters, RC horse classes, if you don't want to tidy her up then concentrate on other things, you could do dressage with the mane plaited in golf balls or a running plait, jumping she can go as she is, pleasure or endurance rides, le trec etc. not every horse has a job in the show ring you may find something that she and you really enjoy.

 

[Tami-and-Floss]

Thank you, she's lovely. We are going to do dressage but fancied a bit of showing too but was trying to find a way around having to take her feathers and mane off!

 

[Crackerz]

Thank you, she's lovely. We are going to do dressage but fancied a bit of showing too but was trying to find a way around having to take her feathers and mane off!

Not going to be possible unfortunately

 

[Lucyad]

I have done local workers with feathers on (incongruously with mane plated), just for fun - I know it is entirely incorrect, but horse looks naked without them!

 

[luckyoldme]

I have got a young one. He won't trouble any hunter judges though ! He is an ecking great furry fool.

he is stunning

 

[luckyoldme]

This is Jess. As you can see she has got a lot of the shire, just not the height/size.

Edit: Apologies that the quality isn't very good!

she is lovely too, no advice on showing its not my thing!