Looking to show at a higher level, what class would he suite ?

C

crazyhorses12345

New User
Joined
2 February 2015
Messages
8
Location
chester, flintshire
Visit site
HI,
Im looking to show my horse further at a higher level, maybe if i could qualify for HOYS, but im unsure of what to class. I have a pie-bald 16'3 irish draught x gypsy vanner gelding. Unfortunately until now he has had a paralyzed larynx so often made alot of noise breathing in the show ring so was never placed high, except in working hunter, over the winter he has had a tie back and a hob-day to help him breath, due to this does not make a noise when breathing.
So please anyone who can help here is few pictures, please be truthful x

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd...._=1430960171_8f5ff7a5c7bd0a1922bb70b0e6059a20
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd...._=1430965989_9b0291e19a36de1788b2303352c754c8
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...641770.-2207520000.1422905927.&type=3&theater
 
He's lovely! Try CHAPS classes, if you Google them it will have show dates across the UK.

Regarding turnout, you should wear a shirt and tie with your tweed. His tail should be pulled not plaited. A 2" flat hunter noseband would show off his head better. You need a velvet hat. Please don't take that as criticism, I went out to county shows and was shocked as I thought my turnout was good but I was way below par.

Join the show ring forum, lots of help and tips on there specific to showing with lots of cobs and coloured showing people.
 
Last edited:
As he is turned out as a cob your options are N/C/T coloured horse classes or Maxi cob for HOYS qualifiers unless you can do sidesaddle then that class would be open to you too I think

I have to say he is not as heavily set as I would expect from a hogged cob, but I am no expert!
 
crazyhorses12345 said:
HI,
Im looking to show my horse further at a higher level, maybe if i could qualify for HOYS, but im unsure of what to class. I have a pie-bald 16'3 irish draught x gypsy vanner gelding. Unfortunately until now he has had a paralyzed larynx so often made alot of noise breathing in the show ring so was never placed high, except in working hunter, over the winter he has had a tie back and a hob-day to help him breath, due to this does not make a noise when breathing.
So please anyone who can help here is few pictures, please be truthful x

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd...._=1430960171_8f5ff7a5c7bd0a1922bb70b0e6059a20
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd...._=1430965989_9b0291e19a36de1788b2303352c754c8
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...641770.-2207520000.1422905927.&type=3&theater
Click to expand...

He looks lovely - you could do Maxi Cob but will need to get loads of condition on him. Have a look at the last few years winners so you can see where you need to be! Good luck.
 
I also have to say I think he may be dwarfed a bit in a maxi cob class.

So I would turn out as cob and do coloured classes.

Another option is to grow the hog out and plait but that may take time and patience
 
To be honest. He isn't really true enough to type to show at HOYS level in (maxi) cob classes.
You could try CHAPS NH classes however the fact he isn't really true to a type would again go against him and these classes are very hotly contested.

In regards to your turn out the stock needs to go in favour of a shirt and tie, a navy velvet hat is needed, the badge needs to go, gloves need to be brown or tan leather. Also you are riding off the curb rein, the plaited rein should go where your plain rein is in the picture, the plain rein should also be 1/4 thinner than the plaited one. Velvet collars also wouldn't be usually seen on a cob.

My best advice would be to get your ring craft spot on at local/agricultural size shows and go from there. Go and watch the large classes at County level to see what would be expected of type and turnout.

The first picture is a very true to type maxi cob
http://britishshowhorse.org/bsha-show-report.asp?$=10&o=0
 
blitznbobs said:
I agree he's not a maxi cob nor is he a hunter I'm not sure where he fits and he's a bit under muscled for showing he needs more bum...
Click to expand...

He reminds me a bit of Fatty , Fatty was showing as a maxicob but he is IMO in between a maxicob and a hunter .
Two hundred kilos off him and a mane grown he looks like a hunter with a unfortunately big head .
 
He may just about get away with doing the RC horse in the Search for a Star series but is unlikely to get through to the final, I agree he is not a maxi cob or a hunter, he is not really going to stand up to the competition in coloured classes, at local level you can have fun but if you want to get to HOYS you would need to get another horse, enjoy him for what he is don't try and make him something he cannot be.
 
Talk about raining on someones parade…..!

There is no problem with being ambitious - agreed he may not be either a top level show hunter or maxi cob, but the Search for a Star working hunter at Hoys this year had a real mix of horses, from 15hh pony types to a warmblood with an 'unusual' head carriage!

Give it a go - if you fail at least you can say you tried, and with his jump, you are already half way there.

Good luck!
 
L&M said:
Talk about raining on someones parade…..!

There is no problem with being ambitious - agreed he may not be either a top level show hunter or maxi cob, but the Search for a Star working hunter at Hoys this year had a real mix of horses, from 15hh pony types to a warmblood with an 'unusual' head carriage!

Give it a go - if you fail at least you can say you tried, and with his jump, you are already half way there.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Agree with this. I would do some Chaps too.

Have you done local shows with him? If so what does he do best in and what do judges say?
 
Workers maybe? Mw hunter, although I would say he's perhaps not quite the right type.

However if you want to enter "big" stuff your local agricultural show will probably have something suitable for you :)
 
twobearsarthur said:
The first picture is a very true to type maxi cob
http://britishshowhorse.org/bsha-show-report.asp?$=10&o=0
Click to expand...

I've nothing to add as I'm ignorant of showing. But - it is me or are all horses in that link horrifically overweight? Condition score 5 and all appear to be at massive risk of lami.

I know most/some showing judges like horses with 'condition' on them but you get to a point where you're endangering the horse for a few rosettes and that doesn't sit right with me.
 
Would have to agree that he s not really 'typey' enough to do well in HOys coloured qualifiers ,or County maxi classes. This sint raining on anyones parade ,its being truthful! Theres nothing to stop the O P going into these classes , but isnt it better to have realistic expectations? CHAPS classes are to be found at all levels of show ,and he d go into the NRH - native ridden horse, which covers native types, heavier trad types and hogged. The standard of coloured showing is now on a par with any other class , so turn out for horse and rider, and horse conformation must be high. When we first showed coloureds in the mid 80 s it was much less formal - and way more fun in a way!
 
MyDogIsAnIdiot said:
I've nothing to add as I'm ignorant of showing. But - it is me or are all horses in that link horrifically overweight? Condition score 5 and all appear to be at massive risk of lami.

I know most/some showing judges like horses with 'condition' on them but you get to a point where you're endangering the horse for a few rosettes and that doesn't sit right with me.
Click to expand...

Clantara Shadow Play is out of a percheron mare and by a tb stallion so will naturally be hugely chunky - as a maxi cob should be.

OP - sorry your horse is no where near HOYS quality no mattet what class you put him in. It also costs many hundreds of pounds to get everyone/thing registsered to even enter the qualifiers let alone the extortionate show entry fees. Save your money and enjoy your horse for what he is.
 
I think that if the horse can jump a good level WH course then that would be a good class to concentrate on and to look around the agricultural shows in the area for some classes.
 
To do a coloured Hoys qualifier your costs will be as follows:
Membership of chaps: £35
New member fee: £7
Hoys number : £18
Passport over stamping: £20

Entries are generally around £50 a class and you will need to do lots
Fuel to get to show can run into £100's and generally as qualifiers tend to be at 8am you will need stabling the night before which ranges from £25 a night to £80 a night.

In your class you will be up against the like of the Humdinger!

To even look like you belong in a HOYS qualifier you will need drastic changes in turnout, feeding and exercise. His schooling will have to be top notch and he has to carry himself in true self carriage whilst the judge is riding him.
 
After doing a full season of grooming for a traditional in the HOYS qualifiers chasing the ticket up and down the country, Ive seen a lot of cobs - a lot qualify more than the hairies! Went down to RI and I think we were only 1 of 2 hairies there (Top Hairy pulled may i add ;) ) I would say he defo needs alot more weight on him - not fat but muscle! Especially on the buttocks area lol! Also, you would be having a ride judge on him so he needs to be push button and perfect. He may just be abit too big at 16.3.

Also, what I would do if I was in your shoes is to do the CHAPS qualifiers - therfore you will get to know your judges find out who likes you and who doesnt - therefore your not wasting a hell of a lot of money trying to qualify.

Also - (lol) most show cobs in the hoys are producers so pretty hard to beat IMO, but like I said try the CHAPS classes first :)

Good luck and most importantly ENJOY!!!!
 
conniegirl said:
To do a coloured Hoys qualifier your costs will be as follows:
Membership of chaps: £35
New member fee: £7
Hoys number : £18
Passport over stamping: £20

Entries are generally around £50 a class and you will need to do lots
Fuel to get to show can run into £100's and generally as qualifiers tend to be at 8am you will need stabling the night before which ranges from £25 a night to £80 a night.

In your class you will be up against the like of the Humdinger!

To even look like you belong in a HOYS qualifier you will need drastic changes in turnout, feeding and exercise. His schooling will have to be top notch and he has to carry himself in true self carriage whilst the judge is riding him.
Click to expand...

The humdinger is just amazing <3 The most beautiful amazing horse I have ever seen!
 
Most maxicobs - not all but most - are just obese hunters. OP, I like your horse but he isn't really a top notch show boy.
 
Thanks everybody,mix of opinions, but hes my one in a million horse who i wouldnt change for the world, the reason he is hogged is because he will not let you pull or trim his mane, he is 12 and his ways wont change plus he suites hogged way more. He has been doing amazingly local, and at county level, in the coloured, hunter ridden classes and working hunter.
I came on here to get some advise and to be fair its just put me down, I just thought it would be a nice goal to set for a few years, as all i have ever had is people put me down, telling me i cant do things, and i have gone out to acheive these goals. As you wouldnt believe he was an overweight, dead to the leg riding school horse who could barely jump a fence, to now being able to work on an outline, and can just a meter cource. Looking at what he has become, and he will become better with time. Maybe one day we will get somewhere.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top