"moves too big"

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Equi

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Just wondering views lol

Chatting to a friend at a show today, and he was no a happy bunny cause the judge said they didn't like his horse cause it moved too big and its movement was too large for a horse. We're talking about a large 17hh horse..

Is that even an acceptable criticism?
 
Depends on the class and how the horse was moving. I am sure a hackney high stepping trot in a hunter class wouldn't be appreciated ( an exaggerated example).
 
Possible it's movement was consider incorrect for it's breed or type, what was the horse and what was the class?
 
I believe it was a hunter class. Horse is a coloured "hunter" would be the only way to describe him.

Fella shows and judges a lot so will know what he is talking about and is happy to take what he is given, but this critique really annoyed him and he felt it was out of order.
 
The judge doesn't have to give a reason for putting a horse down the line and even if he does answer the response may not always be exactly what they really felt, being put on the spot about a horse you just didn't like or one that gave a dreadful ride sometimes means the answer is a bit odd or confusing.
When I judged ridden classes I hated being asked why I had put a horse down the line if it was because it gave me a horrid or uncomfortable ride and I used to phrase my answer rather carefully trying to avoid offending the owner, moving too big may be a way of saying it was an uncomfortable horse to sit on or that it was unbalanced, a really big moving horse is not really desirable as a hunter they need to be sure footed, be able to shorten easily to cope with ground conditions and well balanced, if the judge did not like him he should be avoided from now on.
 
If you are in Worcestershire I probably know the horse you are talking about. I judged a coloured hunter last year that was, shall we say 'different'. My ride judge got off and had to have a minute before riding the next one. The ring was bordered by two large hedges and when the horse was asked to step on it locked onto the hedge. I stood there thinking oh xxxxxx hell it's off, thankfully the ride judge managed to tug it around the corner.

It was skewbald, massively tall but narrow, moved like a gelderlander and was very quick. The next time I saw it was in gate jumping competition. No doubt it was someone's pride and joy but showhunter is was not. I remember saying to the owner 'you are a brave man , not too sure he realised what I meant. My poor ride judge had to have a gin before we started the next class !
 
Nowhere near there so not that horse Alice :)

be positive, yes very good point i get what you mean about needing to be sure footed. Knowing the owner and horse though i don't think it was a case of that, i think the horse was just too big for the judge or something lol
 
Would the judge mean it was big moving as in like a dressage horse maybe? If so although a big movement is desirable in dressage it isn't in hunter showing classes. Hunters should move more workman like.
 
equi said:
Just wondering views lol

Chatting to a friend at a show today, and he was no a happy bunny cause the judge said they didn't like his horse cause it moved too big and its movement was too large for a horse. We're talking about a large 17hh horse..

Is that even an acceptable criticism?
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i have some sympathy with the judge. I have a 17hh ISH, short in the back, and with a tremendous swinging "coil behind the saddle" movement. It's taken me ages to stay in balance with him without compromising that great trot. He's going to try his hand in a show hunter class soon, although he's in no way in show condition. He does have the most comfortable canter, so I'm hoping the judge likes him for that!
 
lornaA said:
Would the judge mean it was big moving as in like a dressage horse maybe? If so although a big movement is desirable in dressage it isn't in hunter showing classes. Hunters should move more workman like.
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This is why i am slightly nervous about ever putting my horse in a hunter show where the judge rides. He moves wonderfully for dressage and jumping but boy is he uncomfortable. I always thought hunters were meant to be comfortable and you could ride them all day long. You would be in pain the next day if you did that with my boy.
 
A hunter is a quality animal, with as near perfect conformation as possible, that conformation will enable the horse to be comfortable to ride and balanced. He will be schooled, light in the hand and well in front of the leg. His manners will be second to none, he will not consider doing anything he is not asked to do. He will ooze presence, he will move straight with his poll the highest part of his neck. he will allow anyone to ride him without question, and if his temperament is questionable no ride judge should be asked to get on the horse.
 
rachk89 said:
This is why i am slightly nervous about ever putting my horse in a hunter show where the judge rides. He moves wonderfully for dressage and jumping but boy is he uncomfortable. I always thought hunters were meant to be comfortable and you could ride them all day long. You would be in pain the next day if you did that with my boy.
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Big movement shouldn't be uncomfortable. A real powerhouse of a dressage warmblood is fantastically comfortable, once you get the hang of sitting that much movement
 
Auslander said:
Big movement shouldn't be uncomfortable. A real powerhouse of a dressage warmblood is fantastically comfortable, once you get the hang of sitting that much movement
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Guess I just haven't got the hang of it yet. I can do rising trot on him and can canter easily enough (I find left rein easier) but I cannot sit that trot yet. Only manage a stride or two before I am thrown out of the saddle lol.
 
My boy has a huge trot. My OH used to whip in on him and used to complain about it. Now I hunt him I know what he means!!! And I don't have any "bits" either!! He did however do very well as a LW hunter so certainly did not count against him.

He is ID and very well balanced out hunting.......unless he sees a pig!!
 
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