Mare or gelding for county level showing?

[hallarider]

Hi everyone

I have always thought that geldings are favoured in the show ring for the ridden hunters at county level. Just that I have seen a lovely filly for sale with view to doing middleweight hunter. All my show horses are geldings! Would it be possible for a mare to go to the top?

many thanks

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

i would have thought so, some people swear by mares for flashy paces and have a more "look at me" attitude! I think (personally) I prefer geldings just because I feel safer and less of a risk of a sudden decision to not behave/bored of the whole situation so entertain themselves moment.......... but that could just be me

If she is nice and has the confo and markings etc to do well then I don't see why she shouldnt do well! (obv depending on her paces when she grows up!)

 

[Sparkles]

Gelding's all the way

 

[MissSBird]

I remember once hearing that for breeds (arabs, natives etc) mares are sometimes preferred to geldings as they can continue to contribute to the breed, but the gelding is useless. This was, however, a subject of controversy and a lot of people said it was a load of nonsense.

As far as I'm aware, there shouldn't be much difference. Certainly I never felt put down because my hack was a mare. Thinking back though, most top show horses do seem to be geldings. Perhaps this is more to do with their (generalising here) easier going nature. Some mares are so quirky I imagine they'd be unsettled by strange judge rides etc.

Personally, I wouldn't be put off the horse for showing just because it is a mare. It's worth a look in my opinion.