Do you think my horse would suit 'Workers' classes? (pic)

nikCscott

nikCscott

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I haven't had my horse long and we're trying as many activities as possible to show him the world. So far SJ, Hunting, and this weekend we did a fanatstic fun ride and after a couple of mile getting MY confidence up he was jumping all the big XC fences (2'9/3')- he was such a good boy.

We have a couple of unaffiliated and Trailblazers WH classes coming up, but he has quite a small head so not sure he has 'the look' for workers, but I've never done it rather than local shows so know nothing really. Also would the judge want to ride him- he doesn't stand still to get on (he's getting better and is fine at home now but when out he's still a bit fidgety).

Thank you any advise on him or Workers classes in general and what to expect would be much appreciated.

IMG00624-20110121-1251.jpg


meet1.jpg
 
Your horse is lovely and would be ideal for workers classes as in MY eyes he is what the class means ? working hunter, unfortunately in the showing world they seem to like them VERY porky and they can hardly get over the fences let alone do a days hunting, you could try a couple of classes and see how you get on and see what the judges comments are, good luck

Your horse is just right
 
Dont know much about showing to comment on your horse as only done local unaffilated workers myself but just wanted to say have a go and have fun. Make sure you and your horse are correctly turned out and have a good time.
 
go and try - its def worth a go - mine is a heinz57 16hh lw/mw type and goes down v well in workers (she's in my sig - jumping pic was our 2nd ever show) - judges keep trying to pursuade me to do the open classes/blair qualifiers etc but i'm too much of a whimp :o

just turn out correctly and have fun - i'm sure you'll do well as he a cracking horse :)

oh 0 and i've not seen a worker who's porky yet - let alone VERY porky one... in terms of fitness mine also goes hunting on the same fitness routine - which is up to about 10-15mile rides a night come mid summer with at least 3miles of canter work in that - and most of the rest mostly trotting/hill work etc- she also does ODE's/sj/xc etc
but then again i'm only competing at local/RC levels so what do i know...
 
posie_honey said:
go and try - its def worth a go - mine is a heinz57 16hh lw/mw type and goes down v well in workers (she's in my sig - jumping pic was our 2nd ever show) - judges keep trying to pursuade me to do the open classes/blair qualifiers etc but i'm too much of a whimp :o

just turn out correctly and have fun - i'm sure you'll do well as he a cracking horse :)

oh 0 and i've not seen a worker who's porky yet - let alone VERY porky one... in terms of fitness mine also goes hunting on the same fitness routine - which is up to about 10-15mile rides a night come mid summer with at least 3miles of canter work in that - and most of the rest mostly trotting/hill work etc- she also does ODE's/sj/xc etc
but then again i'm only competing at local/RC levels so what do i know...
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Wowzers 10-15 miles a night!!! 3 seesions in the school and a 4 ish hour hack on a Friday plus a few comps is all I'm able to give my boy. Although he was as fresh as a daisy after 12 miles jumping all the biggis so guessing we're ok there.

Turnout- now i realise my padded bridle and GP/jumping saddle is not completely 'correct' but will it do to test the Workers waters? Also my hacking jackets are a grey/navy dogtooth- will they also be ok? (I'll include a pic (I have about 14 layers on in picture and an extra large jacket to keep warm).

Will the judge want to ride him?

Thank you

Theres a picture
Meet3.jpg
 
Also any other showing classes you think he may be suited to please mention as I'm completely new to showing.

Should also mention I normally ride in a eggbut happy mouth will that be allowed?
So many questions!!!

Thank you
 
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i dont have an area etc so do everything on hacks - and yeah i was surprised too when i mapped my hacking online lol!! a quiet night hack is about 6-8 miles - i just get on and trot off and don't really stop until i'm home - my canter fields/tracks make up about 3miles minimum. luckily the daylight hours up here are pretty long so i get a good few hours to hack in the evening. although saying that - the opposite also occures so she gets most of winter off and is currently fat and unfit due to all the snow we've been having - doh! oh - and i give her a day off before a show/comp so she's full of sparkle ;) and the day off after something too.

turnout - swap your stock for a tie (stocks only correct in evening performance) and just go for it in current tack - i won supreme show champion (RC) in a forward cut xc saddle so didn't seem to upset the judges that day ;) (i'm in that saddle in all sig pics)

but do keep an eye out for a cheap nice bridle though - i picked my double up for £30 2nd hand and it's done me proud :D even if you could just swap your brow band and noseband for a flat hunter ones it would really improve the look :)

ride judges - yup most places will have a ride judge - but some wont so plan a short show too. make sure he's happy and goes well for any rider - and make sure he comes back from gallop nicely!

jumping - do a nice forward canter round - none of this collected sj canter melarkey - and end the round with a good blast up one side. wh's can win or loose on their gallop

ummm.... other tips - don't use the blue string - tie your number on with some coton or something = really helps over all look...

if i think of anything else i'll let you know!
 
just seen you other post -
eggbutt would be better and more correct anyway for novice WH
ideally no martingale
if you get up to bigger heights (whish if you hunt i'm sure you'll find a doddle ;)) then a pelham or double looks better - i use a show pelham with a leather curb as my mare is soft mouthed - its really just for show :o

umm - you can use boots for jumping phase but take off for showing phase

other classes - i've done ridden hunter, riding horse, riding club horse and sports horse and done fine in all of them

you could also try a style jumping class if you like your jumping :)
 
NOISYGIRL said:
unfortunately in the showing world they seem to like them VERY porky and they can hardly get over the fences let alone do a days hunting
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I don't think this is entirely true. If i remember rightly, Twizzle entered the big coloured horse she rides into a working hunter (he is by no means 'VERY porky' and they came away champion?

OP - Take your horse, see how you get on. You may be plesantly suprised. Even if you dont get place, it's something else to add to his list of experiences :) Good Luck
 
eta - stnding for judge to get on - hold his noseband (under chin) descreetly with right hand and stirrup with left hand ;) NOT the reins - get him practiced at that and he'll stand fine i'm sure :) most ride judges get legged up too
 
Thank you Posey Honey- you've been so helpful- I've just had a look through ebay and found a flat bridle (the one he wears I bought very cheaply second hand the day I got him so I could ride him straight away, it's damaged and he has a nasty habit of rubbing so fine for home but realised I would need a smarter one in time)- I'll have a look through my bits for a standard snaffle. and I have a shirt and tie from the in hand show i did with the pony.

Forward canter sounds fine - he's not great at trusting me to shorten him yet.

His canter right transition is still sticky and if you get cross with him he'll put in a cheeky and quite sharp buck- that's mostly what i'm worried about if someone gets on him (judge) he's coming on a treat, but may not be ready for an different jockey yet. I'll call Summerhouse and ask if the judge intends to ride i think.

Definately something to look froward to through the summer as well as improving the dressage and SJ.

Thanks again :D
 
KirstyLou said:
I don't think this is entirely true. If i remember rightly, Twizzle entered the big coloured horse she rides into a working hunter (he is by no means 'VERY porky' and they came away champion?

OP - Take your horse, see how you get on. You may be plesantly suprised. Even if you dont get place, it's something else to add to his list of experiences :) Good Luck
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Good I'm glad, that's what I'm saying should happen, I agree with what you are saying
 
just get anyone and everyone you can think of to ride him = that's what i did with mine - she still bucked with RJ first time though :o

but never say - 'they may buck'/'ride with loose rein' yada yada yada - guarenteed way to wind a judge up ;) just say as little as possible - and always thank them afterwards

i prob have loads of other tips i'm not thinking of - so feel free to drop me a pm if you have any questions :)
 
yes id say he was suitable to do workers classes, the main thing that I thought was he looks quite weak behind the saddle and over his quarters. Can you strap him to build up the muscle on his bum?

Re the turnout if you cant get a complete new bridle just try to swap the noseband for somthing quite wide and flat which will suit her head more and is more workman like for wh. Also swap the stock for a shirt and tie and try and get a brown / green based jacket rather than the blue if you can.

Judge will definatly ride at county level but probably not at local level.

Good luck :D
 
BYR said:
yes id say he was suitable to do workers classes, the main thing that I thought was he looks quite weak behind the saddle and over his quarters. Can you strap him to build up the muscle on his bum?

Re the turnout if you cant get a complete new bridle just try to swap the noseband for somthing quite wide and flat which will suit her head more and is more workman like for wh. Also swap the stock for a shirt and tie and try and get a brown / green based jacket rather than the blue if you can.

Judge will definatly ride at county level but probably not at local level.

Good luck :D
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You're quite right he was weak behind then - but we have been working hard and the back end is starting to match the front, and the topline is improving. I've only had him 2 months and I've had a 8 year break from riding too so we are both 'works in progress' and enjoying the improvements we are making- luckily my back end is getting smaller though ;)

I have a flat noseband so will try it with existing bridle to see how it looks.

Thank you
 
If I get "porky" horses in front of me they get put down the line :D "working" hunter means just that - a horse the judge would gladly take out for a day's hunting. I was showing my own horse last summer and the judge (over from England) told me my horse had to be "much much bigger all over":rolleyes: I just gritted my teeth and smiled politely;)

I am also happy to see horses being shown in a snaffle - in fact I would rather see one going well in a snaffle than see one being made to wear a double when it's not ready for it. A rugby pelham is another option.

Use a martingale if you feel happier.

At lower levels you are unlikely to have a ride judge, but you will be expected to do an individual show. If there is a ride judge, you don't do an individual show. Keep tack as plain as possible, brown saddle = brown numnah, as discreet as you can. Your own dress should be tidy, and you should wear spurs, but you can always wear dummies if your horse isn't used to them :)
 
This post is very informative! I feel this has helped me for ideas as well! What shows have ride judges? I have only every done local stuff, and I'd prefer one with a ride judge really.
 
nikCscott said:
You're quite right he was weak behind then - but we have been working hard and the back end is starting to match the front, and the topline is improving. I've only had him 2 months and I've had a 8 year break from riding too so we are both 'works in progress' and enjoying the improvements we are making- luckily my back end is getting smaller though ;)

I have a flat noseband so will try it with existing bridle to see how it looks.

Thank you
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You have a lovely horse and if you have had that long a break and only had him 2 months I take my hat off to you for all your enthusiasm and achievements thus far. Well done you I wish you every success in all you both turn your hands too, I am sure you will have loads of fun and some great results too. Keep up the good work xx You have great attitude
 
Pebbles said:
You have a lovely horse and if you have had that long a break and only had him 2 months I take my hat off to you for all your enthusiasm and achievements thus far. Well done you I wish you every success in all you both turn your hands too, I am sure you will have loads of fun and some great results too. Keep up the good work xx You have great attitude
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Thank you - thats lovely of you to say.

I'm filled with enthusiasm it's choosing what to do next that's the tricky bit... and trying not to rush things, going to leave the Workers until his canter right transition is stronger, next dressage on 20th then a couple more jumping lessons then unaff SJ at Cricklands in March!
I've missed alot so want to make up for it and having so much fun- it's nice for my daughters to watch Mummy at something I'm good at.:)
 
nikCscott said:
Thank you - thats lovely of you to say.

I'm filled with enthusiasm it's choosing what to do next that's the tricky bit... and trying not to rush things, going to leave the Workers until his canter right transition is stronger, next dressage on 20th then a couple more jumping lessons then unaff SJ at Cricklands in March!
I've missed alot so want to make up for it and having so much fun- it's nice for my daughters to watch Mummy at something I'm good at.:)
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Gosh yes I totally know what you mean - I have had a 12 year break and a couple of false starts over last year and now it is my eldest daughter tryint to help me find my confidence again - total role reversal very odd. I admire you - will be an inspiration to me to keep on trying to get back to where I left off. How old is your boy by the way - had he done much before you had him?
 
Pebbles said:
Gosh yes I totally know what you mean - I have had a 12 year break and a couple of false starts over last year and now it is my eldest daughter tryint to help me find my confidence again - total role reversal very odd. I admire you - will be an inspiration to me to keep on trying to get back to where I left off. How old is your boy by the way - had he done much before you had him?
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Zigs is 7 (but a warmblood so sometimes seems younger!) he has ment to have done a bit of everything, but I'm not convinced. He seems to take everything in his excited stride and it's nice starting at the bottom, but with the scope to go on- I have never taken to a horse as quickly as him- I adore him and think he will be a little bit special in time!

He gives me confidence and visa versa we're becoming a good team.

Have you found a horse you're confident with or are you still looking?
 
Definitely get a flat noseband for him & a flat borband if you can to match. Your plaits are great, so no worries there!! Keep your martingale on - very very few workers don't have one & its more correct to have one or at least a breastplate if you horse doesn't like a martingale - it makes them look more 'workman like'.

Agree that he needs to muscle up a bit behind - but thats nothing major!!! Also, i wouldn't gallop after your jumping round - might look like he's taking off with you! But a gallop is very important in a worker, he's got to show the judge that he can cover the ground well - like people have said - they need to look like they'll be good out hunting!

Keep in in a bit that he goes well in - better have a good round & good show in what he's in than not jump well & mess with his head if you put in a double that he doesn't like - also try & avoid rugby pelhams - they don't look nearly as good a nice ordinary pelham.

Here's a clip of Thor who won HOYS this year - should give you a good idea on the pace you hace to jump etc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDAZYaY_SCI


Good luck & have fun!!
 
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