Showing Sec A's - Opinions on colour / markings for the show ring

[Strawberry7]

Hi,

I'm looking at Section A's at the moment for my daughter and it it made me wonder about colouring / markings etc. Are solid colours preferred in the show ring?

We have seen a few with some interesting markings (white splash on belly for example, and another with a blue eye). Would these be less favoured in the show ring over a solid bay/chestnut/grey?

 

[P.forpony]

As long as it’s permitted by the breed standard it shouldn’t make a difference.
I do remember years ago it being a thing not to like white on the belly. But it’s just sabino patterning and quite common in welshie genetics.
Nothing about it in the rule book now though.
I’ve had a chestnut Sec C with a large white splash, right underneath her belly though so unless she rolled in the class I doubt you’d see it ? and a golden dappled buckskin Sec A with 2 electric neon blue eyes.
Depending on the judge with that one, we’d win everything or be so far down the line I think they’d rather we hid behind the portaloos...!
He was a very nice pony but obviously striking colouring isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea and judging is subjective.
I loved him and we had fun ?

 

[conniegirl]

Blue eyes in welshies can see u right down the line as a lot of older judges don’t like them.
You also want them as evenly marked as possible, one white leg and the others dark can make thier movement look uneven. That said my lad has won pretty much everything and he has one small white sock.

Other than that provided they are within breed standard, colour isn’t a big thing.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

The only colour less favoured in Welsh A's is black. You will rarely see one im the show ring.

The biggest colour at the moment is grey and as said above big blue eyes are not liked very much. A dash of Welsh Blue is fine but not a full blue eye.

 

[PSD]

All depends on your judge.

 

[Strawberry7]

Thank you everyone. It's so hard to know how much it influences with a judge having personal preferences that maybe play a part ? I quite like unusual colourings but then in the show ring it can be very subjective.

 

[Strawberry7]

If you were buying a Sec a for the show ring, what would be your top things to look for?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Good conformation
Matches breed description
Good temperament
'Look at me' attitude when at a show

 

[conniegirl]

1) Conformation/type
2) movement
3) look at me factor - this is not something that can be taught they either have it or they don’t. Its an attitude that draws your eye to them.

I wouldn’t buy one with blue eyes as many welsh judges are older/traditional.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Yes, sound and with good movement too.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I agree with all of the above I wouldn't go too unusual if you want to show but odd legs are not frowned upon same as minimal white, and all judges are different you can never please everyone all of the time that's showing for you.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

1) Conformation,
2) movement
3) look at me factor - this is not something that can be taught they either have it or they don’t. Its an attitude that draws your eye to them.

I wouldn’t buy one with blue eyes as many welsh judges are older/traditional.

And having had a beautiful blue-eyed grey Section A who developed health problems, I would avoid blue eyes anyway

 

[Strawberry7]

1) Conformation/type
2) movement
3) look at me factor - this is not something that can be taught they either have it or they don’t. Its an attitude that draws your eye to them.

I wouldn’t buy one with blue eyes as many welsh judges are older/traditional.

Haha, I think this is why it's so hard - ones like these aren't often the ideal first ridden pony are they? I'm looking for both in one which may be impossible...?

 

[conniegirl]

Haha, I think this is why it's so hard - ones like these aren't often the ideal first ridden pony are they? I'm looking for both in one which may be impossible...?

They are like gold dust but they do exist.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

You would be surprised as a lot of good youngstock with the right up bringing go on to be fab kids ponies. Our Sec B who is out on loan won the Yearling class at the Royal Welsh. He went on to win at the Royal International and go to HOYS as a Lead Rein SHP and also as an Open SHP (no such things as FR SHP).

If you are looking for temprement above all else to be a childs pony look at the bloodline that are winning in the LR/FR classes.

 

[Fastasflames]

there is no link to blue eyes = health problems.

 

[honetpot]

If you are going to do LR FR, the classes can be huge, perhaps not now, but unless the pony is absolutely correct and hard to ignore you need something that will stand out, and when asked, stand still. So pretty colours, four whites, pretty head, no blue eyes, but most sensible people end up just buying a pony their child can ride safely, because that's where madness lies. I wouldn't buy anything that has been shown in hand at full welsh shows, getting to stop running like the clappers can be difficult, sometimes you can find a nice young broodmare that will do the job.

 

[minesadouble]

Agree with points made above and would add if you are buying as a l/r for a tiny jockey bear in mind that the big extravagent movement can be very inseating for a little tor.
Obviously you're running way slower in a LR class than in an in hand but I would avoid anything with very pronounced knee action.
Most sec A LRs move freely from the shoulder but don't have knees bouncing off their chin.