Confused by heights for show classes, advice please?

[Kacey88]

If a class has a height range, small hunter for instance 148cms to 158cms, all horses within that height range should be judged equally regardless of height, right? I have found that the shorter hunters definitely miss out. Is it really that important to be "up to height"?

What do you guys think? Seems a bit unfair.

 

[Piaffe63]

It will probably depend on lots of other factors like comformation, way of going ect, not the height. But I would of thought that all in the height boundary should be judged fairly. Hope that was helpful!!

 

[Kacey88]

It will probably depend on lots of other factors like comformation, way of going ect, not the height. But I would of thought that all in the height boundary should be judged fairly. Hope that was helpful!!

That's what I would hope, but most small hunters look well over 15.2hh, and the shorter ones don't seem to stand a chance. Why is bigger always judged as better?!

 

[SmallHunter]

I have done small hunter classes with my 15hh mare at P(uk), BSPS, Equifest etc level and she does fairly well she is often the smallest in the class but a lot of it comes down to the ride, I have been pulled in near the bottom many times and then pulled right up after the judge has ridden my mare and come back with a grin on their face.

Conformation, type and ride are taken into far more consideration and I find it unlikely that judges are actively thinking 'ooh must put that one first because it is the biggest' it is more likely that the one in first is a good example of a small hunter and the smaller ones aren't.

 

[Kacey88]

I have done small hunter classes with my 15hh mare at P(uk), BSPS, Equifest etc level and she does fairly well she is often the smallest in the class but a lot of it comes down to the ride, I have been pulled in near the bottom many times and then pulled right up after the judge has ridden my mare and come back with a grin on their face.

Conformation, type and ride are taken into far more consideration and I find it unlikely that judges are actively thinking 'ooh must put that one first because it is the biggest' it is more likely that the one in first is a good example of a small hunter and the smaller ones aren't.

You have given me more hope for my mare now! Thank you guys