Local Working Hunter?

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Mollymillymoo

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Hello, I'm very new to this forum, this is my first post so I'm sorry if I do anything wrong!
I have a 15hh cob who I have had since he was 4, he is now 8 but we haven't done very much due to a, how should I put it, protective/lazy mother, and as a result a more nervous than neccessary rider lol. I've been told he would make a nice working hunter, but would like to know what everyone on here thinks. I wouldn't do anything more than the small local ones but don't want to be embarrased as I have been in previous showing experiances (we entered a family horse class and were placed last due to a pair of martingale stoppers I didn't notice were there!).
I've enclosed a picture and video, do you think he is the correct type, or would do well?
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video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=o33yOJqP6CM

Note: the video is from may, and the conditions were rather wet so the jumps were rather small, but you get a vague idea of what he looks like going round, he can jump much bigger
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not a working hunter, a working cob though and a very good one if he has a good jump (computer restrictions mean i cant open youtube) I think he would make a very good show cob as well, hog him, clip his legs, pull his tail and shorten it and you have yourself a very nice HW showcob. who can also do the working cob classes.

You dont get many working cob classes at local level though so i would do as the rest of the working cobs do and go in anyway turned out as a show cob and see how you get on.
Bare in mind also that local show judgeing can be the absolute pist, ive come across some very good judges at local level but ive come accross some that i would be suprised if they knew one end of a horse from the other so dont be too dishartened if oyu dont do well under some judges.
 
Oh right, I'll look out for them in the area then, as I think I have seen some working cob classes being advertised, thank you for the ideas
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He is messy in the picture by the way, he is usually hogged with a clean tail and feathers when we show, that was just taken when we were schooling at home. It's reassuring to know that other people have had trouble with local judges, I also entered another class where we were placed last, and the judge didn't even come up to me to explain what I should have done differently, I had already explained to them before the class that it was our first showing show. That I found even more annoying! Anyway, thanks again
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I agree with conniegirl - cobs and working cob classes will be the ones for you (but don't give up on working hunters or family pony either).

Re: judging - there is very variable judging at local level, if you get in to doing quite a bit of showing, note down the judges you've been under with a comment, so you can decide whether to show under them again. Judges aren't obliged to talk you through ways to improve, though some will offer tips and pointers. TBH with the abuse that some competitors (obviously not you) give when a judge explains the placing it's no wonder many are wary!!
 
for show cob the feathers realy should be clipped off.
Believe me ive competed under some abismal judges, one deciding that a freezemark on a 25 yearold pony ment it should go from first to last in a large veteran class as apparently she said it was a conformation fault.
I prefer the bigger shows to be honest as the judgeing tends to be more consistant
 
Looks a true cob, so get out there & have a go!!

However judging can be just as inconsistent at county level as it is a local level, so if you do get a duff result just chalk it up to experience, & as has already been said don't show under that person again.
 
Thanks, they're really helpful comments, and yes, with judging it is so much about their own preferences at the end of the day, I'll look out for those who don't really like us and make sure I steer clear
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Actually he's 1/2 connemara and although he doesn't really look it his movement is much more like that than a cob and he's very quick when he wants to be! He was bred in Ireland by the Holohans' and we bought him off her sister, but they breed show cobs that get to very high levels from what I can tell, we were told when we bought him he could do county level, but we weren't sure what in! Thank you so much for the advice, and we have been debating whether or not to chop his feathers, so perhaps they will have to go!
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Thanks again, Milly and Coco x
 
At local level you will be able to enter your pony in a variety of classes, Best Rider, Riding Club Horse, Working Hunter & some of the jumping classes as well. You'll have a load of fun. On watching the video I could see that both you & him were enjoying yourselves. He's a true honest cob who will work all day for you. When you are jumping though try & keep him cantering & don't let him drop off the canter unless you need to change his leg if he won't flying change. You'll have loads of fun with him
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It was very wet that day so there were lots of canter to trot transitions round the corners because he's not the most surefooted horse around, but thank you, I will work on that and hopefully have a smoother ride for next year! We do have a lot of fun at local levels, this year he was placed in all the show jumping classes we entered, and he won three of them! Cross country is something we're starting this year properly too and he loves it.
I noticed you said something about Riding Club Horse, we did enter that this year and were placed last - mentioned above, the class was full of big warmbloods and showing horses, we were the only cob and I thought it was probably because it wasn't meant for cobs? We got lots of sneers anyway! Thanks again
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Oh yes - deffo off with the feathers, the tail will need to be pulled (use one of the new tail rakes - save your finger & his dock), and you'll need to shorten it so that its level with his hocks when he carries it. (banged). Be careful when you do this.........if you're not sure do it in stages. Better a liitle too long than too short!!! You'll also have to make sure that you cut it so that it hangs level from front to back

Beware the difference between riding horse & riding CLUB horse classes..........although I have to admit that some judges don't seem to be aware of it!!!!

Your cob is an ideal sort for riding club horse - a sensible allrounder.
 
ahhh he hated having his main pulled, I think he'd be even worse with his tail, I'll have to think about that. If it does have to go I'll have to get someone else to do it, he'd hate me afterwards! It was definately a riding club horse class, but the horses in it were not. The woman who won had told me before we went in that she was worried about jumping the 2'6 jump because all she ever did with her horse was dressage. I'm going to try some different shows next season though, hopefully they aren't all so silly! Thank you for the advice, I really appreciate it
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