Showing - would you even bother if horse has splints?

[skewby]

I get told all the time that I should show my horse. I don't because a) he hasn't the best conformation, b) he has splints and c) I'm not sure I can be bothered with all the preparation just to stand around (and he'll be thinking, when does the fun start? And it won't). So, taking into account a) and b), would you even bother putting him in a class at a local show, just to try it?

 

[hadfos]

Ridden showing yes,in hand no...ridden i believe they are a tad more leniant on blemishes etc!
However by the sound of it you really are not struck on the idea??Bugger what others are telling you,if not right for you and your neddy,dont do it

 

[skewby]

I know hadfos, I'm not sure why I'm even considering it as I've been saying a firm "NO" for years. I suppose some part of me is hoping I'll take him somewhere and be told he's officially bootiful, lol!!

That's the other thing...if they put us last I don't think I could take it...!

 

[MissSBird]

I show my horse locally/lower county level and she's done quite well despite splints and lumps from scars. However it does get us marked down somewhat - depends on the day and the competition.

However I love it. It is a lot of effort so if you're not into it I personally wouldn't. Don't do it if you don't want to!

 

[hadfos]

[ QUOTE ]
I know hadfos, I'm not sure why I'm even considering it as I've been saying a firm "NO" for years. I suppose some part of me is hoping I'll take him somewhere and be told he's officially bootiful, lol!!

That's the other thing...if they put us last I don't think I could take it...!

[/ QUOTE ]
if it just a curiosity thing,give it a go

our horses are beautiful to us...sod em if they think otherwise,going through all the prep and seeing how you both go will probably help you decide wether you were right to say no all those yrs

 

[miss_c]

I'd definately show locally, but I enjoy showing! If you don't enjoy it then why do it?

Your horse looks lovel though, and by the looks of it in your siggie you enjoy XC, so you have other things to do!

 

[oln]

definitely try putting him in. in hand im guessing they would make a significant difference(never tried) on a youngster who is not supposed to have done any work. under saddle they make no difference unless there are two who otherwise are equal then the one without the splint will win. i had a pony placed at birmingham and 4th at the royal international who had a huge splint in show pony. so a decent judge will not worry.

 

[0ldmare]

People must think he has decent conformation to be suggesting you show him. Have you got a photo of him you could post?

At local level you would be fine with splints. Even at a higher level you can get away with quite a lot if everything else is good (and it depends on the class so its a bit more acceptable for a hunter to have a splint than a show hack)

But if you don't fancy it then don't do it! Or have a go at working hunter as a good way of trying it and still having fun jumping!

 

[charliesarmy]

I agree with Hadfos you can get away with quite a lot ridden but not so inhand....I rode my horse thru loadsa WH/RH classes with a splint and as she got older a larger knee some judges made comment put down others didnt....just go and do one if you dont like no need to do another but if you do then win win situ

 

[SNORKEY]

Ive shown all sorts at county level, my coloured cob had whopping big splints and he done very well, they could'nt be seen under his thick feathers! if you can see them clearly it may affect him, but if you cant then you should be ok, as judges rarely run their hands down the legs unless it's a tough line up and they are really looking hard.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

[ QUOTE ]
I get told all the time that I should show my horse. I don't because a) he hasn't the best conformation, b) he has splints and c) I'm not sure I can be bothered with all the preparation just to stand around (and he'll be thinking, when does the fun start? And it won't). So, taking into account a) and b), would you even bother putting him in a class at a local show, just to try it?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm willing to bet Help1 has been getting to you, she wants me to show Bob in the RoR classes too

Nooooooo

(incidentally he has a massive splint too, Help1 said it would be OK in ridden classes)

Having said that I did go horse showing with Zalacca for the first time last weekend and really enjoyed it

But I got ultra-competitive on her behalf (her pony should have WON) so I dont think Bob and I will be giving it a go.... I'd rather be eventing

 

[RunToEarth]

[ QUOTE ]
I get told all the time that I should show my horse. I don't because a) he hasn't the best conformation, b) he has splints and c) I'm not sure I can be bothered with all the preparation just to stand around (and he'll be thinking, when does the fun start? And it won't). So, taking into account a) and b), would you even bother putting him in a class at a local show, just to try it?

[/ QUOTE ]
You won't get anything out of showing if you can't be bothered with the preparation and if you believe the fun never starts, because preparation is 3/4 of the thrill of showing, the other 1/4 would be, as you put it, "standing in the ring waiting for the fun to start, when it won't".
I think if that is your attitude to it, it wouldn't matter whether you were sat on a county champ or some old nag, you would get pretty much the same fulfillment, horse riding is only fun when you enjoy it, you know. Showing is a lot of money to not enjoy

 

[only_me]

well, my old pony showed very very successfully and came 2nd at RDS (dublin show) with a splint in the pony workers class... tbh he had a spectacular jump that made up for it

 

[The Original Kao]

QR My ex bosses dressage horse had huge splints, he still did really well at the local shows in the ridden classes. He won a fair few

 

[Nic74]

[ QUOTE ]
Ive shown all sorts at county level, my coloured cob had whopping big splints and he done very well, they could'nt be seen under his thick feathers! if you can see them clearly it may affect him, but if you cant then you should be ok, as judges rarely run their hands down the legs unless it's a tough line up and they are really looking hard.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this totally - I show occasionally and I watch showing (locally). Rarely do I see judges feeling for lumps and bumps so unless it is clearly visable then it won't matter, and I can't see it being too much of a problem in any case, especially at local level for fun.

 

[custard]

Depends on a few things, FMM is the best person to ask about this but this is just my slant on it.

I had an Arab mare with a very badly scarred heel and the only times I was put down the line for it was at local shows, I think the judges expect the horse to be 'perfect'. However, she often got placed at county level, never winning admittedly but I always used to ask the judge if it was an issue. The answer was always that if you have two equally good horses a blemish would be the decider. I think the better judges accept that a working animal will collect the odd scar in its career.

So, as for splints they are a blemish as opposed to an unsoundness IMO and it also depends how obvious they are but I think they would more likely be forgiven in say a hunter/working hunter/riding horse class than a hack class because again those horses are being exhibited with potential to do a job.

It's trial and error and different judges have different opinions but all I'd say is if they put you down at a local show, don't let that put you off.

 

[skewby]

Thanks all for the replies, I quite fancy giving it a go now!!

My instructor tells me to show him, and she shows at Bath & West and the like, so she definitely knows her stuff. Most of the people who tell me to show him say it because of his markings, I think - they go to shows and come back and say "you should show him, he's much nicer than all the coloureds there". But these aren't showing people, just people, if you know what I mean

His conformation faults are a bit of a long back and cow hocks. However over time and with schooling these are becoming less and less evident. He used to be a real "cut & shut" but has a much bigger bottom these days!

The splints are actually tiny. I can find them, because I know they are there. We aren't talking golf balls. Very interesting to know that they don't completely preclude you from showing. He does have a scar on his near hind though.

I suppose I just wanted to know, if I'd be laughed out of the ring!

This is him. Not great pics but recent, from last weekend. Some from each side to show his markings which are quite even:

He's a bit scruffy at the moment, I normally take off all his feather (he doesn't have much, just enough to look untidy

) and his mane needs pulling and I intend to pull his tail as soon as I have time. He does move better than this too, these are from the start of the lesson cos they are the ones with the best light. Do you really need standing ones to be able to comment, though?

What classes? Would he be ok in a heavyweight hunter class (he has a LOT of bone)? He has a lovely jump too so would working hunter be another one? (No left canter as yet, but we are working on it!) Would these classes be better too, considering the splints and scar?

All further advice appreciated, I really fancy giving this a go now! (Until you all say, eeooowww, don't take that out lol!) You can be honest. As someone kindly said above, he's very good at a lot of things so it doesn't really matter if he's NOT pretty too!

 

[skewby]

Gah! No replies! Too ugly?!

My instructor also reminded me today...he dishes a bit

 

[custard]

[ QUOTE ]
Gah! No replies! Too ugly?! My instructor also reminded me today...he dishes a bit

[/ QUOTE ]

Rubbish, and he doesn't look especially long in the back to me. Trouble is he is a cob, period, so you would need to make a decision as to show him as a Traditional ie full mane and feathers, or as a cob with a hogged mane and trimmed within an inch of his life.

Cobs are meant to carry a good weight for a day's hunting but should still be light on their feet if you get my meaning. Check out the British Show Horse website for the full definition but personally I think he would look lovely trimmed up and you can hide things like small splints and blemishes with 'creative' trimming and a little make up.

As for classes they've now introduced 'working cob' and maxi cobs for those over the height limit so there's lots to chose from now.

Go on ,get the scissors/clippers out!

 

[diggerbez]

i would say (and i know very little about showing) that workers might be a good one...sometimes they do working cob classes too and coloured workers.....