Could my horse be a small hunter? Help please!

[babyd]

Yes. A lovely show though and well worth a day out watching the hunters.

Op, The level of judging at local level is very different to that at national level, as is the type of horse in the classes. Your lovely horse is a workmanlike type and a very useful and much loved all round horse. Judging from the pictures he is a little short in the neck, a little long behind the saddle, his head is a little plain and his limb a little coarse.

To show at National level the horse, no matter what type, has to be top class in every department, from type to ride and manners.

A top small hunter is a rare beast. A top small hunter is based on the requirements for a top middle weight hunter but scaled down to 15.2. The picture below is a middle weight, so imagine what you are seeing in the picture scaled down to 15.2 but not scaled down in bone or quality and then compare the shape and quality of this horse to your lovely horse. That should give you a good example of the differences. The horse in the picture, despite being top class and prolifically successful was never taken to GYS as I knew he would not have been in the top 3.

Hope that helps you.

This is excellent and exactly the answer I was looking for - thank you!

Please can you explain what you mean by coarse limbs? And is colour brought into the equation when judging in the hunters?

It's looking like I will probably give it a miss - i hadn't realised that there was so much paperwork to do and i'd rather spend the money on something that i am confident he will place in (BE registration etc). Thank you for all of the information, definitely worth asking before just entering! You fully understood my question and gave a really detailed answer - it's massively appreciated!

 

[conniegirl]

Wow, thank you. A couple of really solid answers there and i really appreciate it! The break down of the money is very useful - i honestly (and naively) thought that it would just be the cost of the entry and levy, i didn't think you needed to register to compete at GYS. I was also unaware that the horses need to be unshod - that would be a bit of an annoyance!!

I did read up though and thought this class only consisted of a show, gallop and then a trot up? Not ridden by the judge?

The height certificate is another stickler as in most of the things we do i'm wishing for extra height!! This would be the first time i'd ever want him to be small and i wouldn't want to jinx his growth haha! Still wishing for another inch...

I feel confident that he is schooled well enough to do a good show and gallop. He has lovely conformation but I wasn't sure if it was right for hunters. I thought it would be good experience for him and at £70-£100 i would have been willing to give it a go but i think you may have managed to put me off!! Slightly disappointed but better to know now rather than waste £400 and get nowhere near the placings!

Thanks again.

In any HOYS horse class you do not do a show, you will do the go round (including a gallop), the judge will ride and then you will do the inhand part.
Horses need to be shod for the actual classes but for a JMB certificate they need to be unshod.
Without the correct memberships and height certificated your entry would be returned.

A horse schooled well enough to do a show and a horse schooled well enough for a judge ride are 2 totaly different beasts! the judge will not school the horse, they will not get after it, they will ask lightly once and expect for the horse to do everything in a mannerly, educated, and controlled outline. There is no hideing anything with a judge ride and if the judge feels at all unsafe they will get off and hand the horse back to you (and that is humiliating). The horse essentialy has to be schooled well enough that it could have a totaly unknown rider on it and still go out and win (70% +) an Elementary level dressage test.

Even if you did chose to have a go I realy dont think you would be in the rosettes. They place to 6th normaly and you average around 12 to 15 in the class (13 last year).
My lad is a show horse, he was bought for showing, but mainly coloured classes, he has the condition, conformation and schooling to not look out of place a small hunter class but I would say he would at most scrape a 6th (if he gave the best ride of his life) as he is a bit long in the back, a bit upright in his pasterns and a coloured who's front leg markings can make him look a bit back at the knee depending on how he is stood! I'm sure AdorableAlice could probably pick a 100 more holes in his conformation.

 

[babyd]

In any HOYS horse class you do not do a show, you will do the go round (including a gallop), the judge will ride and then you will do the inhand part.
Horses need to be shod for the actual classes but for a JMB certificate they need to be unshod.
Without the correct memberships and height certificated your entry would be returned.

A horse schooled well enough to do a show and a horse schooled well enough for a judge ride are 2 totaly different beasts! the judge will not school the horse, they will not get after it, they will ask lightly once and expect for the horse to do everything in a mannerly, educated, and controlled outline. There is no hideing anything with a judge ride and if the judge feels at all unsafe they will get off and hand the horse back to you (and that is humiliating).

Even if you did chose to have a go I realy dont think you would be in the rosettes. They place to 6th normaly and you average around 12 to 15 in the class (13 last year).
My lad is a show horse, he was bought for showing, but mainly coloured classes, he has the condition, conformation and schooling to not look out of place a small hunter class but I would say he would at most scrape a 6th (if he gave the best ride of his life).

Great, thank you. I understand it fully now and appreciate the heads up.

That said, i believe he would give the judge a good ride - i have no worries about that whatsoever. In fact, i think it would boost his placings and he is so well behaved and well schooled. My concern is more over whether he would be discounted before he is even ridden because of his type/colour etc. I now also have a concern over cost and the height certificate... all things I hadn't factored in!

 

[SmallHunter]

If he has never had a ride judge on before then I really wouldn't choose GYS as his first time with one no matter how well trained/behaved they are normally the atmosphere at big shows like GYS isn't ideal for introducing a horse to a ride judge.

 

[cundlegreen]

Another who agrees with those who say he's not of sufficient quality, I'm afraid. He is much more of a WH type, where the jumping hopefully has more influence on the results (but not always!) The other thing to bear in mind, is that most of the "smalls" would measure in considerably more than your horse. Mostly by the way they carry themselves, and that elusive quality of "presence" which is so hard to find.
i have a full up 15.2hh mare, who looked very much the pony when put in an Intermediate worker class. I am also debating spending a lot of money to register her as a Working Hunter because although she doesn't fit the type (very pony), she WILL jump the courses and should she get to Hickstead, would have no problem with the course there, as her mother came 4th there in her heyday, and this family all jump. It's still a lot of money to fork out, and I wouldn't even consider it unless I could do at least 4 shows to make it worth while. Do go along to the show and watch the class, you will soon realise what a gulf there is between local, and county show standards.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Don't any of the big shows still have local classes restricted to those who live within a certain distance, (say 15 miles), from the show ground any more? I'm sure that Devon County Show used to have these back in the day. Was a great day out for the locals, and they were always well supported.

 

[babyd]

Another who agrees with those who say he's not of sufficient quality, I'm afraid. He is much more of a WH type, where the jumping hopefully has more influence on the results (but not always!) The other thing to bear in mind, is that most of the "smalls" would measure in considerably more than your horse. Mostly by the way they carry themselves, and that elusive quality of "presence" which is so hard to find.
i have a full up 15.2hh mare, who looked very much the pony when put in an Intermediate worker class. I am also debating spending a lot of money to register her as a Working Hunter because although she doesn't fit the type (very pony), she WILL jump the courses and should she get to Hickstead, would have no problem with the course there, as her mother came 4th there in her heyday, and this family all jump. It's still a lot of money to fork out, and I wouldn't even consider it unless I could do at least 4 shows to make it worth while. Do go along to the show and watch the class, you will soon realise what a gulf there is between local, and county show standards.

Thanks. I have been before and genuinely feel he has the quality and presence to be at the standard to compete there. That said, i have no true idea of what makes a small hunter hence asking the question. Can i ask what makes you think that he wouldn't have the presence based on the pictures that i have posted?

 

[Shay]

If you want to have a go then I really don't see why you shouldn't. The worst that is going to happen would be that you will loose. But it is going to cost quite a lot to get all the paperwork through and in time for entries. That might prove too much of a challenge for this year. But if you want to and are happy to spend that amount of money then why on earth not?!

 

[Asha]

I was at scope last summer and watched the hunter classes. It blew me away, hence my search for my own ID so I could have a go.
The one thing that struck me about the horses was the presence . How do you describe that ? I don't know but they had it, I went WOW. I came away buzzing , and knew it was something I wanted to have a go at. Your boy, makes me go ahhhh he's cute, but not Wow. He looks like a fabulous little horse, but from what I saw would be out of his depth, based on your photos.
Saying that, I may well be out of my depth, but I'm going to have a go one day. I intend to let the judge decide !

 

[SmallHunter]

If you want to have a go then I really don't see why you shouldn't. The worst that is going to happen would be that you will loose. But it is going to cost quite a lot to get all the paperwork through and in time for entries. That might prove too much of a challenge for this year. But if you want to and are happy to spend that amount of money then why on earth not?!

The lack of ride judge experience is a fairly good reason for not doing it. It is a very bad idea to throw a horse in at the deep end like that when it has never had a judge ride it before and completely unfair on the judge too.

 

[cundlegreen]

Thanks. I have been before and genuinely feel he has the quality and presence to be at the standard to compete there. That said, i have no true idea of what makes a small hunter hence asking the question. Can i ask what makes you think that he wouldn't have the presence based on the pictures that i have posted?

Not wishing to put your horse down, but based on your photos, he has a short neck, and rather plain/ponyish head, more cob like. Also a thick set gullet. Not a good colour either, as he won't show a shine like the others. I'm NOT being unkind in saying this, just honest. I have shown plenty at county, HOYS and RIHS, always as an amateur, but try to produce as professionally as possible, and that means being really critical of my own horses, knowing they will be up against professional producers. Believe me, the judges will spot the difference straight away just from your turnout. That's the way it is at the top. I've been lucky enough to win against the "big boys", and used to be chuffed when I managed it. One of the reasons why I tended to go the Worker route, the jumping does count. By all means, take him and have some fun, but for me personally, I like to go knowing I have a chance of finishing in the top six.

 

[babyd]

The lack of ride judge experience is a fairly good reason for not doing it. It is a very bad idea to throw a horse in at the deep end like that when it has never had a judge ride it before and completely unfair on the judge too.

I've decided not to do it because of the cost involved and the likelihood that I won't make best use of the membership as showing isn't my passion.

If i felt my horse wouldn't cope with being put in that situation then i wouldn't have even considered it as an option. I think what you have said is quite rude when you have no knowledge of the horse in question. I have produced him myself and owned him since he was a yearling. He has been in similar environments but never in a showing capacity. He has jumped at Countryside Live and has been ridden by other people. I understand that a judge may ride differently but I have full confidence in my horses ability to cope and his level of education.

I understand that I asked for critique but some of the responses have been pretty rude. I asked for information on whether my horses type would be considered in a small hunter class, not whether he would be able to cope with it and i certainly didn't expect judgement for asking a pretty simple question.

Please don't question my knowledge of my horse. I would NEVER knowingly put him in a situation which would upset him or be unfair to others.

 

[babyd]

Not wishing to put your horse down, but based on your photos, he has a short neck, and rather plain/ponyish head, more cob like. Also a thick set gullet. Not a good colour either, as he won't show a shine like the others. I'm NOT being unkind in saying this, just honest. I have shown plenty at county, HOYS and RIHS, always as an amateur, but try to produce as professionally as possible, and that means being really critical of my own horses, knowing they will be up against professional producers. Believe me, the judges will spot the difference straight away just from your turnout. That's the way it is at the top. I've been lucky enough to win against the "big boys", and used to be chuffed when I managed it. One of the reasons why I tended to go the Worker route, the jumping does count. By all means, take him and have some fun, but for me personally, I like to go knowing I have a chance of finishing in the top six.

Thank you - that's exactly the critique I was looking for. Based on his look, nothing else.

What do you mean by a plain face? Hunters always seen very plain to me and Dexter is a beaut! Don't say cob like... he's a sports horse haha. I do understand what you're saying though!

I asked on here because I would want to go and know if all goes well on the ridden side that he would be in with a chance to get a rosette. I definitely appreciate the feedback because i wouldn't want to go if it was a complete waste of time.

Thanks

 

[conniegirl]

Thanks. I have been before and genuinely feel he has the quality and presence to be at the standard to compete there. That said, i have no true idea of what makes a small hunter hence asking the question. Can i ask what makes you think that he wouldn't have the presence based on the pictures that i have posted?

I'm sorry but whilst he realy is a nice horse, he realy doesnt have the quality, type or presence to be anywhere near the placings at that level. Yours does not have the correct type of bone, he is very ponyish, his neck is set on quite low, he does not have the condition or topline needed. He would be far better off in the workers class.

The Presence is quite difficult to define, my lad when out at shows draws a lot of attention, he shines like a fresh conker and looks about 17hh (despite being 15.2hh), he draws the eye to him and judges strugle to take thier eyes off him. at very large local shows he is always 1st or second (and if its second it is because he misbehaved), normaly champion, often supreme champion. Its that undefinable quality that made me choose the hairy filthy unhandled yak in a field in Ireland over the gleaming show horses I had been offered the week previously and over all the other (well bred) hairy yaks in the field with him

 

[babyd]

I'm sorry but whilst he realy is a nice horse, he realy doesnt have the quality, type or presence to be anywhere near the placings at that level. Yours does not have the correct type of bone, he is very ponyish, his neck is set on quite low, he does not have the condition or topline needed. He would be far better off in the workers class.

The Presence is quite difficult to define, my lad when out at shows draws a lot of attention, he shines like a fresh conker and looks about 17hh (despite being 15.2hh), he draws the eye to him and judges strugle to take thier eyes off him. Even at very large local shows he is always 1st or second (and if its second it is because he misbehaved), normaly champion, often supreme champion. Its that undefinable quality that made me choose the hairy filthy unhandled yak in a field in Ireland over the gleaming show horses I had been offered the week previously and over all the other (well bred) hairy yaks in the field with him

I'm sorry but i just don't think you can judge that based on a couple of pictures of him jumping. He is also a maturing 5 year old and a few of those pictures were taken at 3/4. You 100% cannot judge presence from a picture especially as you havent seen him turned out/double bridle/being ridden at a show etc.

I'm pleased to hear that you do so well locally. We have also done well locally and taken a couple of championships and he has won hunter classes at very local (basic) shows. I'm not a showing professional hence asking for opinions and a lot of what you have said I have taken into account.

I am having a lesson with a top working hunter producer and rider next month (understand it is different to hunter classes) so will take his critique as he will see the horse. Obviously it will be too late to enter then but it would be interesting to hear his thoughts.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Go to some showing clinics, do some more of the bigger shows that aren't qualifiers for hoys or rihs this year, get as much feed back and advice as you can and then think about GYS next year. That way you will get a proper idea of what is going on, more time to plan, prep yourself and your horse and have more of an idea of exactly what you are doing when you go out to play with the big boys.

Life is one big pit of education, you can never stop learning!

 

[Tiddlypom]

OP, your horse is a nice chap but he is not a county show horse. I do not mean this in any disparaging way, as I would rather pull out my own teeth one by one than get involved with the showing set, but pick your battles.

Enjoy him for what he is.

 

[ihatework]

OP, your horse is a nice chap but he is not a county show horse. I do not mean this in any disparaging way, as I would rather pull out my own teeth one by one than get involved with the showing set, but pick your battles.

Enjoy him for what he is.

Couldn't have put it better myself!

 

[babyd]

OP, your horse is a nice chap but he is not a county show horse. I do not mean this in any disparaging way, as I would rather pull out my own teeth one by one than get involved with the showing set, but pick your battles.

Enjoy him for what he is.

Yeahhh I'm seeing that!! Think I'll stick to eventing - at least there's a clear cut winner and it isn't all down to individual preference...

Thanks everyone for the advice and nice comments.

 

[Shay]

I think you have been somewhat chewed on OP. But in my experience that is fairly typical of the showing set. You've probably made a sensible suggestion for now. If you really want to show then take a year to figure out (if you can) what the world of an equine beauty contest is all about. Otherwise - enjoy him for what he is. I think he looks lovely.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

The showing fraternity aren't all that bad! Perfection is everything!

 

[LPL]

OP, your horse is a nice chap but he is not a county show horse. I do not mean this in any disparaging way, as I would rather pull out my own teeth one by one than get involved with the showing set, but pick your battles.

Enjoy him for what he is.

This is brilliant.

Op I know you have already made your mind up but I'm another one like you! I've got an average ex racer, he's super handsome but not "show quality". However I'm going to the GYS to do the novice workers and ROR class. I just want a nice picture, I know we aren't going to get placed, certainly not as long as bloody Liverpool is on the circuit haha but I think if you're from Yorkshire, competing at the GYS is one of those bucket list shows.

The hunter classes really are a different kettle of fish though. Those horses are something else it is literally the best of the best and that ring is intense. I rode at countryside live and it really isn't comparable. I'm all up for having a go though! The novice workers would be your best bet Its only 1m and your horse has to be 6 or younger. You can do this class on a ticket, I've done it at Bramham a few times.

 

[KautoStar1]

Look, you have to remember not every horse is going to be suitable as a show horse. It's very much horses for courses isn't it. I have a beautiful Irish draught who has been shown successfully at county level and has been to RI and the ID championships. And even he isn't quite top level (maybe he would have been if he'd been with a producer who knows) but my point is he is what he is. If I wanted to event or show jump to a high standard he wouldn't be the horse I'd do it on.
In our eyes all our horses are fabulous. But no horse fits every discipline.

 

[cundlegreen]

This is brilliant.

Op I know you have already made your mind up but I'm another one like you! I've got an average ex racer, he's super handsome but not "show quality". However I'm going to the GYS to do the novice workers and ROR class. I just want a nice picture, I know we aren't going to get placed, certainly not as long as bloody Liverpool is on the circuit haha but I think if you're from Yorkshire, competing at the GYS is one of those bucket list shows.

The hunter classes really are a different kettle of fish though. Those horses are something else it is literally the best of the best and that ring is intense. I rode at countryside live and it really isn't comparable. I'm all up for having a go though! The novice workers would be your best bet Its only 1m and your horse has to be 6 or younger. You can do this class on a ticket, I've done it at Bramham a few times.

Now, that's a good suggestion! Op, you are right about eventing to a certain point, this is what I do now, but, it still comes down to a judges preference, and at Grassroots level you can have some awful scoring (mind you, we get that at the higher levels too!). Go for the Novice WH, and have a good time. At least you'll know he can jump the course!

 

[AdorableAlice]

I think you have been somewhat chewed on OP. But in my experience that is fairly typical of the showing set. You've probably made a sensible suggestion for now. If you really want to show then take a year to figure out (if you can) what the world of an equine beauty contest is all about. Otherwise - enjoy him for what he is. I think he looks lovely.

The op asked a simple question - is this a small hunter - the question was answered. It is the 'showing set' that breed, produce, educate, compete and ultimately sell horses that have correct conformation, safe and mannerly rides and the ability to go on into other spheres when they come out of the show ring. Your comment of equine beauty contest is laughable as far as hunters or performance horses are concerned. I do however, agree that the manipulation of certain breeds, for instance the arabs and welsh ponies is not acceptable on welfare grounds.

There is no reason at all for the op's horse not to be shown at the appropriate level, just as he is eventing at the appropriate level for his build and scope. Many County shows do a local hunter class, Monmouth and Moreton in the Marsh do, I think the class is open for horses living within the neighbouring hunt areas. The horse world is very lucky to have some fabulous riding clubs and many local shows that take a lot of running normally by volunteers and are often very well supported. I judged at a popular show held on the edge of Birmingham and had 17 hunters come into the ring followed by a class of 11 cobs, proof that unaff showing is popular.

I also judged ROR and really enjoyed the opportunity, it is wonderful to see these fabulous TB's enjoying second careers. Showing at unaff level is cheap and fun, good education for the horse and can be a stepping stone to higher level competition. A good judge will soon tell you to step up a level.

For anyone planning to go as a spectator to GYS, there is little to no accommodation left within an hours drive from the showground, as we found last night when trying to arrange our day out !

 

[LPL]

Many County shows do a local hunter class, Monmouth and Moreton in the Marsh do, I think the class is open for horses living within the neighbouring hunt areas.

For anyone planning to go as a spectator to GYS, there is little to no accommodation left within an hours drive from the showground, as we found last night when trying to arrange our day out !

In ref to the first part, GYS doesn't do that, which I think demonstrates quite well that the GYS isn't the place to go for the novices if the showing world!

And for the second part AA, you're right, unless you are willing to stay in Bradford �� (I'm allowed to say that I live in Bradford) there'll be loads of accommodation around here. The majority of BFD's population don't even know what a horse is.

 

[conniegirl]

I think you have been somewhat chewed on OP. But in my experience that is fairly typical of the showing set. You've probably made a sensible suggestion for now. If you really want to show then take a year to figure out (if you can) what the world of an equine beauty contest is all about. Otherwise - enjoy him for what he is. I think he looks lovely.

I think you will find that we are very nice thankyou I've met the most wonderful people out showing, now showjumping i can tell you some horrific stories about the cattyness and bitchyness (and in some cases down right cruel behavior) but I'm adult enough to recognise that those were a small minority of the showjumping population.

the problem is that people cant stand being told that thier horse is less than perfect. So they ignore the advice of those of us who have been showing a long time, take thier horses to unsuitable shows, end up the wrong end of the line, decided the judge is bent and then decide that showing is evil and nothing more than a shiney pony competition.

What realy needs to happen is people need to take off the rose tinted glasses and say "no the horse does not have the substance, conformation or presence for that level in showing, but you know what he is an excellent eventer/dressage horse/riding club horse"

We in the showing set don't view our horses with rose tinted glasses. Do I think my horse is the best in the world? Yes I do, everyone should have a Lenny as he is amazing and everyone needs that level of awsomeness in thier life! BUT whilst mine is a very very nice horse I am realistic enough to know he wont stand up to the level of the great yorkshire. He will win every time out at local, he will hold his own and be in the placings at agricultural shows and some of the smaller county shows, he will (and has) win rosettes at National champs shows, he may even qualify for RIHS, but a HOYS qualifier? he may just scrape a low placing if i'm lucky. A HOYS qualifier at the biggest, most popular show in the north of the UK, in the main ring against former HOYS Supreme champs? - he doesn't stand a chance.

To put it in an eventing terms taking a horse that is regularly 3rd or 4th in large local shows to the Great yorkshire for a HOYS hunter class would be like taking a horse who has done a few BE 80's and chucking him into a 3* event!
Most horses could manage a BE80 maybe even a BE90, very few ever get to 3* level.

 

[babyd]

I think you will find that we are very nice thankyou I've met the most wonderful people out showing, now showjumping i can tell you some horrific stories about the cattyness and bitchyness (and in some cases down right cruel behavior) but I'm adult enough to recognise that those were a small minority of the showjumping population.

the problem is that people cant stand being told that thier horse is less than perfect. So they ignore the advice of those of us who have been showing a long time, take thier horses to unsuitable shows, end up the wrong end of the line, decided the judge is bent and then decide that showing is evil and nothing more than a shiney pony competition.

What realy needs to happen is people need to take off the rose tinted glasses and say "no the horse does not have the substance, conformation or presence for that level in showing, but you know what he is an excellent eventer/dressage horse/riding club horse"

We in the showing set don't view our horses with rose tinted glasses. Do I think my horse is the best in the world? Yes I do, everyone should have a Lenny as he is amazing and everyone needs that level of awsomeness in thier life! BUT whilst mine is a very very nice horse I am realistic enough to know he wont stand up to the level of the great yorkshire. He will win every time out at local, he will hold his own and be in the placings at agricultural shows and some of the smaller county shows, he will (and has) win rosettes at National champs shows, he may even qualify for RIHS, but a HOYS qualifier? he may just scrape a low placing if i'm lucky. A HOYS qualifier at the biggest, most popular show in the north of the UK, in the main ring against former HOYS Supreme champs? - he doesn't stand a chance.

To put it in an eventing terms taking a horse that is regularly 3rd or 4th in large local shows to the Great yorkshire for a HOYS hunter class would be like taking a horse who has done a few BE 80's and chucking him into a 3* event!
Most horses could manage a BE80 maybe even a BE90, very few ever get to 3* level.

The showing world has a bad name for a lot of reasons - not just because people have had bad experiences. Whilst i think at the top level there is excellent judging, at the lower levels (which is where the majority of people will compete at) there is terrible judging which is solely based on the judges taste and that is always going to leave a sour taste in peoples mouths. This is why I don't show often - i don't do it enough to compete at the top level and the difference in judging at local level is crazy... But i totally agree, you can't give a bad name to the showing community as there is always going to be small minorities of bad apples in every sport.

You have made a lot of valid points but are entirely misunderstanding what i have said about coming 3rd/4th. As i have previously explained, this was at a large show and the hunter classes were not divided into weights/heights. I had excellent comments from the judge and was advised that he would do well in a small hunter class. He didn't win that particular class as the judge felt he couldn't place him higher than a couple of the large hunters as this was an overall hunter class and he felt they fit the mould better.

Your point about chucking a BE80 horse into a 3* event is ridiculous. It's an entirely different scenario. Of course any horse could compete at GYS - you may lose horrendously but you are unlikely to put your horse in danger.

 

[ester]

That my take on it, if you aren't doing any harm ie not risking horse, rider, judge or spectators and wish to spend the money even just to get a good picture as said above I don't see the issue. Certainly a fair few welshies get taken to the royal Welsh just because people fancy it.

 

[babyd]

That my take on it, if you aren't doing any harm ie not risking horse, rider, judge or spectators and wish to spend the money even just to get a good picture as said above I don't see the issue. Certainly a fair few welshies get taken to the royal Welsh just because people fancy it.

That was kind of my steer on it until i realised the costs involved in competing in this class! I thought as a young horse it would be great experience and secretly i would love a picture

I am very competitive though and wouldn't want to come last which is why I asked on here before entering. I picked up some extra knowledge too which is great but some of the rude comments were not asked for... I suppose it is hard to critique from a couple of pictures, especially when some are of a young horse that has developed since the pictures were taken. Some of the attitudes on here make me want to just go and see and maybe prove a few 'smart' people wrong! Too expensive for something i personally find boring though!

Thank you to everyone that has commented. I've definitely taken it all on board and will not be entering the class. WH is probably one for next year for me. I hope you all enjoy the show!