Showing Cobs

AnnieD

AnnieD

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I have recently bought a 14.1 skewbald cob for my 11 year old daughter, he is an absolute dream to do in every way, works beautifully when ridden and is a keen jumper. A mother's dream, we're thrilled with him!

My daughter is keen to start showing him, and I'm not sure what the best way to start is (my competing days were limited to a bit of local shows and the odd team chase 15 years ago).

I think he has potential to show in working cob classes etc. as he's very striking and moves well, and would like to get them as far as i can this year.

Question is, where do I start?

Also, he has 2 blue eyes, would this go against him in the ring?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Annie
 
Hi
He sounds like a lovely horse!! Much like my first pony was for me and my mum!! :)

How heavy a cob is he? As this will determine which classes he would do best in really.

I would start by taking him to a few local shows. Take him in a ridden cob class and a coloureds class if he has decent markings. See how he does and make sure to talk to the judge afterwards and ask them what they think. They will probably also be able to advise you which bigger shows in the area you should try. Then its a case of working up the levels and building your daughters confidence and experience with it all ( not sure how much showing she has done previously?)

Also if he has a good jump you could maybe try some working hunter classes too?

Hope you have fun with him!! I loved my showing years with Holly! Taught me alot too!!

Also do you have a pic of him we could have a cheeky peak at?! :p
 
I've been trying to work out how to post photos on here but have failed miserably! I'm fairly new to this so bear with me :) There's a few up on my profile now if you want to take a look - they were taken on my phone though so they're pretty hopeless!

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated! I would say he's probably medium weight, I've not measured him yet. But he does have 2 blue eyes, I'm not sure if this is marked down in the ring?

Your horses are beautiful! Holly looks a bit like him actually, I hope my daughter will have as much fun with our little man as you obviously had with her!

A x
 
At 14.1hh he is too small for cob classes. How much deather/mane does he have? you may be best entering him for coloured native type pony classes or mini traditional. Blue eyes can sometimes mean the judge won't place you, as not all judges like them. Your best having a look at the CHAPS website and seeing what shows are round your way, as they will have pony coloured worker classes.
 
Awww he's gorgeous!!!

He's small for higher level cob classes (county etc) But at local stuff he would be fine i think.

If he has a good jump I would definatenly try some working hunter classes. He's the right stamp of pony.

In my experience the blue eyes can go either way. Some judges dont seem to mind them. Others wont place them. But then I have seen skewbald bias judges and piebald bias judges in coloured classes. So its a bit of a guessing game really. All depends on the judges preferences as with alot of showing classes.

My advice would be to get out to a few local shows, find out what him and your daughter love, which classes tick the most boxes and go from there.
Local judges are often very helpful. And also if you can find a showing savvy riding club member or a riding club team these are often quite helpful.

Most of all HAVE FUN!!!!!

out of curiosity what are his paces like?
 
Thanks for that guys that's really helpful!

His paces are fairly good and free, and he works well in walk and trot. His canter seems to be his weakness, he tends to rush the transition and often picks up the wrong lead - even with me on him. I can't understand why, he's clearly had quite a bit of schooling in the past, he's 10 now and I understand he did quite a bit of pony club in the past.

But if that's his only weakness, then I really can't complain, he's such a sweetheart in other respects, a type that's really hard to find. He does everything with a smile on his face, and just tries his best all the time.

He obviously wants to do a job, and so does my daughter, so they're really well matched!

He doesn't have a lot of feather, and his mane is hogged.

Thnaks again for all your advice!

A :)
 
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