Ex Racehorse Classes-surely they should have raced???

ArcAngelOvidius, I totally agree with you that these classes should be only open to horses that have raced. At least we agree on that!

I'm afraid I can't agree with you on the other point. If it was a class for how they'd adapted to life off the track it shouldn't be run as a show class.

Many classes, including coloured classes and the HOYS supreme have many different types being judged against each other. A good judge should be able to judge mixed classes without difficulty.
 
We agree to disagree..... I know some pretty good TB judges.... who do judge all the diff types in one class, which must make things very difficult for them.... but what would it be run as if not a show class.....

Best turned out is a showing class! And thats all different types.... !!!
 
Yes, I think they should have run on the track, I think they should have "raced" to be classed as "racehorses", but I also think they should be conformationally perfect (well, within reason!) as the classes (as I interpret them) are to identify those that could have a real future in showing (as many TB's do as hacks or riding horses or whatever).
 
I am never 100% sure on teh different rules of the different classes i.e. pure showing vs. riding horse etc. but I do agree very strongly that ex-racehorse classes should only include horses that have raced! I got my beastie because I paid £100 more than the meat man (he had an accident after racing to age 9) and I am incredibly proud of the change in him (mainly thanks to my wonderful instructor!). However when I looked at potentially taking him to ex racer classes earlier this year I was told quite clearly he wasnt welcome because he has been bar fired in all four legs and so it wasnt "worth my bother". Just seems a great shame as much of the reason I want to show him or go to such classes is to show what wonderful (and beautiful) riding horses ex racers can become given much time and patience and how they shouldnt just get thrown on the scrap heap
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Then ...
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... and now
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Mmmm this is an interesting debate. A lot of the points raised are things that I have always felt, however, I now have a baby that did the training and was deemed too slow. She would be good as a riding horse or hack.... BUT she was bred for speed and conformationally she is not correct as she is slightly pidgen toed, which makes any form of showing class, unless and exracer class, impossible.

My older ex-racer never really seemed to do any good in any sort of class as conformationally he is fine, but he is a horse that conformationally is very long and lean, not what the judge is looking for
 
That seems to me to be a real shame - poo to the lot of them (but well done you for making a very good thing out of someone else's disaster)
 
Well I've judged a couple of these classes, & for me it's manners all the way. I don't care how beautiful or correct it is, if it's a stark raving lunatic it's either at the bottom of the line or asked to leave if I think its dangerous.
I'm looking for a horse going forward happily in a balanced responsive fashion, & if the only horse in the class going in that manner is pidgeon toed or something then so be it. The very last thing I'd be looking at is blemishes, although of course they do have to be sound!!
When these classes first came on to the scene they were supposed to publicise the huge number of TBs that come out of racing, & could go on to give pleasure to countless riders, instead of being PTS, & I think it's very sad that a horse such as Scostello's which epitimises the kind of rehab sucess story that ROR are trying to promote stands no chance in these classes because of the blemishes gained during his former career.
 
QR.
I don't quite know how anyone can say conformation isn't important, to any horse, let alone racehorses.
Just because people keep breeding these horses that are prone to injury doesn't make it right, and it shouldnt be advocated/supported in any way.
Of course there are certain traits which make a horse slightly more athletic, which don't compromise on performance/soundness (straight hind leg/roach back/long neck), but wonky horses are no good to anyone.
Back in the day they bred TB's to be over at the knee for speed, but those days are long gone. No one in racing goes out to buy a poor looking horse, as they break down quicker.
It is the fault of the breeding industry and the superpowers, not the general racing fraternity.
I think the ex-racers club are right to ignore racing injuries (as sometimes even the perfect ones break down).
I think to say conformation doesnt matter at all is completely wrong. Conformation is important in any horse, from 12hh pony to racehorse.
 
We've shown ours with the Ex-racer's club and had a great time (and that's from me who isn't a showing person). Ours are both ex point to pointers, and although they are only noted as being in training on the racing post site, believe me they both raced a lot and physically have paid the price for it: 1xfractured pelvis, 3x boogered tendons, firing bands galore and 2 sets of hocks that click like bags of marraccas. But they were both rehabbed right from their injuries by the racing yards they were on and are both (touch wood) sound - just not blemish free. They also left racing at an older age than most flat racers and were in race training for several years apiece.

In an ex-racers class, conformation is very important, in my opinion, but blemishes and old injuries less so. Certainly that's how the classes that we have done have been judged. Our old lad is ridden western style and we've shown him in the Ex Racer classes turned out western - the judge even told us that our turnout was completely appropriate for our lad's 'stonking' build and then placed us first ('an absolute proper stonker of a horse, this: the sort you could take hunting, who would go all day and you'd need fifteen men to hold him'). The classes were a breath of fresh air for us.
 
I think - and I stand corrected if I'm wrong - that the ex-racers classes are more about how the horse has adapted to its new life outside of training rather than it's potential as a show horse.

That means that good manners and good schooling will be judged over conformation. I've heard of people through the ex-racers forum who have done really well in these classes and their good schooling etc has over come conformation faults.

I think it's also more about everyone being in the same boat so to speak when taking their ex-racers out. I don't think you have to be interested in or looking to further a showing career although I do agree that it is a good stepping stone if you are looking to go on and do ROR/SEIB etc.

I'm not interested in showing at all (which is a shame because my racer is stunning even if I do say so myself
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) but would like to enter these classes 1) as an introduction into competing and going out to comps of any kind, 2) to support the club and the valuable work that it does and 3) hopefully to show people that ex-racers aren't all loonies wired to the moon (unlike their owners
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) and can go on to be extremely "useful" in their second careers.

Just my 2p worth....now just need to ride said horse and find transport!
 
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