Older horses at county shows

RedRum13

RedRum13

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I will be taking my youngster to county shows this year showing... but I was wondering how do the older horses get on, mine in 17 I was hoping to put him in M&M workers as he is always placed first non affiliated. But some people have told me that judges don't like them much and always go for the babies.. any one have any ideas?
 
If you horse doesn't show any signs of being an old boy, and isn't known on the county circuit how is the judge going to know his age ? When you enter there is no need to complete the year of birth. Just put his sire and dam.

My hunter didn't see the inside of a show ring until he was 14 years old, he was totally unknown. He went on to win alot, including 2 trips to Hoys where he got into the final judging both times, and the RIHS. He retired at HOYs in 2009 aged 17. The only catalogue that printed his age was HOYs, because they take information from The Show Horse of Great Britain Society. He only retired at 17 because keeping him at the top of the game is very hard work for him and there was little more to be achieved.

If the judge asked the horses age my rider said he didn't know as he was riding for the owner.

If your horse is true to whatever type he is and is correctly prepared and presented on the day there is no reason why he should not do well. Good luck.
 
No he definately does not... he think's hes still 5 and acts like it! And looks very well, people are suprised at his age, he always does well in the workers. So fingers crossed, I've still got some miles left in the old boy yet so I hope that he'll do well as I think he is a superstar (maybe I am a bit biased)
 
The horse that won the Workers at the Royal Highland Show last year was 17. But workers is more of a performance class than a pure showing class. I plan to show my youngster as a 5 year old but I hope that he will go on to make a jumper after that and would only continue to show him if he didn't make the grade. But for some people, showing is their main thing, so they continue to show their horses all their lives.
 
Hopefully he'll be alright then! I haven't had chance to show my own at county yet as I've been grooming for other people at them, but I got a little youngster this year so I've got the raw material so hopefully he will make the grade showing wise!
 
A few outings at a county show is excellent education for young horses. They get to see so much, have a trip on the lorry and time away from home.

It should be remembered though, that the young horse will tire quickly and can get sick of the game if they are dragged from show to show. One sided, nappy four year olds can be the result.

My own thoughts are, if the youngster is reasonably smart, I would aim high and enter 2 or 3 big county shows spread over the whole season. That would be enough to educate the horse, get the judges opinion and who knows, maybe do well.

When the youngster goes under saddle and goes off to his first party, no matter what the party is, he will be a lot easier than a horse that has never been to a show. The young hunter I showed some years ago saw hot air balloons, the red arrows, Blues and Royals firing their guns, fun fairs and four in hand driving, it set him up for life and I can remember him standing stock still in the ridden line up at the Counties when the guns went off, he must have remembered them from the Royal Show when he was in the 2 year old line up !

Done carefully in hand showing is a good tool in the education, done badly it can ruin them.
 
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