How Important Is Way Of Going In Ridden Showing Classes

[Mithras]

Just wondered, as the local unaffiliated classes round here seem to be judged like a dressage test, with little importance attached to conformation, paces and correct turnout.

 

[spacefaer]

Vital - the horse should be a delight to ride, well schooled and responsive. The winner should be as near to perfect conformation as is equinely possible, and the horse and rider should be well turned out, as a mark of respect to the judge, and to follow the rules of the class.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Very!
Good conformation leads to a good way of going and good paces. Classes are rarely judged on turnout (except T&T), although of course it is a mark of respect to the judge to be correctly turned out. Local shows are the place for amateurs to learn about showing, so you might well see a variety of clean tidy outfits, that would not be considered suitable by county show entrants.

 

[Dubsie]

I would say (in daughter's experience in childrens classes) it depends entirely on the judge. She has seen ponies placed high that have not even in the individual show cantered on the correct leg, and the funniest was an arab show pony that I think got in the wrong class, very nice pony very well ridden hence being placed, but I don't think it should have been in M&M, or the judge wasn't asking what the breed was and comparing to type when judging!

 

[ozpoz]

Very! And a first ridden should have an entirely different way of going from a hunter - and a correct welsh cob way of going will not be the same as a hack..

But it's always the judges opinion on the day.