Shelf life of a Show Horse

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dieseldog

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How long a career does a show horse have? If say it wins HOYS or it is in the top 5 for its type how many years can it carry on showing?

If it was a SJ, dressage or eventer it could be dropped down a level and used as a schoolmaster does this happen with Show horses?

Just wondering, thanks
 
It obviously depends on what type of horse you are showing. Youngsters / older ridden types etc.

The ridden types tend to stop at around 9 I think - depending on how successful they've been.

Broodmares will go on for longer - providing you can keep them in good nick and prevent their backs from going.
 
So if you had a gelding that won Show hunter (?) would you keep going until it started getting beaten or is that unsporting and you retire whilst he is at the top?
 
Say it was winning at HOYS, how many years can you keep going back and enter the same class - or for how many years do people do it?
 
Well, my friends mare qualified 5 times, and won HOYS twice.

However, I think people showing at that level are realistic about how long their horses can go on for - and are able to evaluate them critically from season to season.

Remember you only get to HOYS by qualifying - and in order to do that you've got to be the best of the best on any given day. So if the horse is still looking great, then keep showing it. If it is starting to show it's age, or is bored - stop!
 
How many times did Super Ted (the cob) win HOYS? wasnt it around 6 or 7 years on the trot?

A lot of our show horses only competed till they were around 10/11 then went off and did other jobs.

Mainly in SJing, hacks or Riding club horses
 
Absolutley no reason - I would not want to show myself personally as its never interested me. I was looking at some of the price tags on horsequest for show horses and just wondered how much fun you would get for your investment.
 
An awful lot of fun - absolutely no financial return whatsoever
tongue.gif
 
There's no definite answer, many seem to at least give them a second try and see how it goes...

I think if it were a mare people would often stop and use it for breeding.

Good childrens ponies can be passed on and though they'd be out of novice classes they can still show another child the ropes and get some good wins without having to manage a HOYS qualification.

There are of course people who'll happily pay lots of money for the chance to win and see a past winner as a good bet...
 
some of the big shows have introduced age limits well in ireland anyway you cant enter horses over a certain age into any of the hunter classes at the dublin show which is obviously the show that you want to be winning at! think the limit is quite low aswell 8yr old or around that which is very restrictive
 
It depends on the horse! The cob I showed at HOYS last year has been placed several times, and went to HOYS about 9 time in his career. At 17 years old he proved he was still capable of beating many of the top horses but blew his chances last year by running away with the judge ... but most "top" show horses hang up their shoes by the time they reach 11 or so.

Our riding horse won HOYS 2 or 3 times and was then retired whilst still at the top (only beaten once in his last season I think).

Our MW hunter has been placed top 5 at HOYS for the past 2 years and is only 7 this year. He will be sold and has several more years of top showing as his limbs are still excellent.

Totally depends on the horse and whether they enjoy the job. There is always a home for a good looking, well mannered ex show horse. Quite a few are sold to amateur homes to people looking for a showing school master. These horses are worth their weight in gold, and even more so with ponies.
 
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