Small/Lightweight/Ladies/No Chance Show Hunter *Pics*

event_rider

event_rider

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More of a lurker than a poster but thought that this might be a good place to get some advice.

Bit of background - I previously evented to advanced level but after a bad accident and losing my top horse (as a result of an accident in the field) within a few months, I made the decision to call it a day two years ago. Since quitting competing, I've continued to hunt during the winter.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I've always wanted a dun Connie-X and when one came on my radar for a bargain price, I thought it would be rude not to take a look :rolleyes:. He's only 4 and I tried him in a field with no shoes, mud up to his knees in his winter woolies. Couldn't tell much except he seemed to be very sweet and had a lovely mouth. Decided that at that price I couldn't leave him behind and that he'd suit me as a future hunter.

Got him home, got shoes on and defuzzed him and turns out, I've actually got a pretty nice horse underneath. He actually moves really well and is handsome with correct confirmation. So much so, it's getting very difficult to view him as a future event prospect :o.

However, I've always wanted to do a bit of showing. Summers have always been spent eventing and I never really had a "fun" horse that had nice confirmation, could move and was free from lumps and bumps to have a go with.

So my question is; do you think my new boy would be suitable? He's 15.3 at the moment but croup high so should grow. On that basis, I'm guessing he'd be a lightweight hunter rather than a small hunter? Would he look tiny beside others in the class? Even though he's quality for a halfbred, would he look plain against others? Also, I've always wanted to learn side saddle and have an old habit and saddle gathering dust at home so do you think he'd be cut out for some ladies hunters classes as well?

Standing on a bit of a downhill slope:
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Standing a bit wonky which makes him look a bit light:
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From the front - again a standing a little crooked (sack the photographer aka my Mum)
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Sorry for the questions but a bit clueless about the showing lark *crossing fingers that the images are sized OK*
 
Sorry, cant give you any advice really. Used to show my show cob, but hunters are a whole new thing for me. All I would like to say is he is gorgeous! I love duns and I love Connies and Connie Xs. Whatever you get to do with him, you are very, very lucky.
 
Aw thanks! One of the plans of action when I bought him was to tart him up, do a bit with him and sell him on to pay off my car. Unfortunately for the bank, he's turned out too nice.

(even more unfortunate for my bank balance...my fingers are starting to itch about taking some of my eventing gear out of storage)
 
If he'd measure in at 15.2 he'd make a nice small hunter. He's a little upright on his pasterns but could be pics? What about workers? I think if he's as nice as you say and moves well you could have a lot of fun with him, I don't think he'd look plain with a good wide hunter noseband.
 
Oh my word- you own my dream horse! I could weep with jealousy! A quality dun Connemara cross is what I've hankered after for as long as I can remember- if you do decide to sell il be there with my chequebook! I would say he would make a super WH but also he would be so very handsome under a side saddle. Good luck with him and please keep us updated on his progress!
 
The great thing about sidesaddle is that there are other classes than 'ladies hunter', which are open to a variety of types. At the RHS there is always the equitation class which sees the tiniest little dun highland pony and the biggest ladies hunter I've ever seen pitted against each other. You don't have to be the classic lightweight hunter to do sidesaddle showing these days!

At the moment, I think he is looking like what he is, a baby. With time, some muscle and bulking out (not fattening up, just natural maturing all horses do) I think he could turn into a nice hunter. Certainly smart enough for local/lower county level. He just needs time now :)

If you can get him to measure 158cm to go into the smalls that would be perfect, otherwise lightweights would be the way to go.
 
To me, he's lovely...but not typey enough to be a LW Hunter for County level I'm afraid. I don't mean that in any disrespect at all, as I do think he's lovely and utterly gorgeous [What more do you want than a dun hunter!!!]. But, he's just not quite put together enough to be true to type LW...he'd be very under height for anything higher than local level classes. Todays LW's, tend to stand full up 16.3hh you'll find, not the 16.1/2hh's they used to be.

If you can get away with him being a small, then I'd opt for that and see how he does. Local level,he'd clean up as he extremely smart...but the higher classes, I think he'd struggle. Try some ladies classes with him and workers....if he jumps, then definitely go for workers, as if he jumps clear and well mannered, then that's half the job done :) When you do show him, make a note of which judges like him, and those who don't...then pick your shows accordingly to that. Be worth watching some classes you're expecting to do with him, to compare with and find out what the judges like etc and work on that [ie, big galloper, etc]

Good luck! He looks like he'll be a fabulous fun all rounder, as opposed to solely showing :)
 
I am a huge fan of dun connies and connie crosses - we have a 15.3hh rising 4yo silver dun Connie cross at the moment and like your boy I'm not sure that he is typey or large enough for lightweight hunter classes. Working hunters and local showing are definitely worth having fun at and I'm sure he will be a lovely horse as I do love the temperament that a connie, or part connie, often has.
 
1t34 said:
If he'd measure in at 15.2 he'd make a nice small hunter. He's a little upright on his pasterns but could be pics? What about workers? I think if he's as nice as you say and moves well you could have a lot of fun with him, I don't think he'd look plain with a good wide hunter noseband.
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Hadn't noticed but your right - 2nd photo does make him look a little upright/springy through his pasterns but I think it's the slight slope. This is probably a better view:

2012-10-28181705.jpg


No idea about workers as yet - we haven't really done much in the way of jumping beyond a few baby fences. Still legs all over the place so don't want to push it until he's had a chance to strengthen up.

icestationzebra said:
Sod the showing - take him eventing he looks cracking!
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Thought has definitely crossed my mind. He might accidentally find his way into a class or two by the end of the summer (I swore I was done for good) :rolleyes: Will have to see what he's like to jump first but all the signs are there.

Quadro said:
He is lovely! From a fellow dun connie owner :) Show him as a working hunter?
Q
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Thank you - someone pointed out recently that they've yet to come across a bad dun!

elliefiz said:
Oh my word- you own my dream horse! I could weep with jealousy! A quality dun Connemara cross is what I've hankered after for as long as I can remember- if you do decide to sell il be there with my chequebook! I would say he would make a super WH but also he would be so very handsome under a side saddle. Good luck with him and please keep us updated on his progress!
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They're pretty thin on the ground alright. Fortunately he seems to have inherited the best of everything - connie brain but not the pony attitude/paces.

MissSBird said:
The great thing about sidesaddle is that there are other classes than 'ladies hunter', which are open to a variety of types. At the RHS there is always the equitation class which sees the tiniest little dun highland pony and the biggest ladies hunter I've ever seen pitted against each other. You don't have to be the classic lightweight hunter to do sidesaddle showing these days!

At the moment, I think he is looking like what he is, a baby. With time, some muscle and bulking out (not fattening up, just natural maturing all horses do) I think he could turn into a nice hunter. Certainly smart enough for local/lower county level. He just needs time now :)

If you can get him to measure 158cm to go into the smalls that would be perfect, otherwise lightweights would be the way to go.
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Thanks for the info re side saddle. I had only seen ladies hunter classes previously but as mentioned, my showing knowledge is limited. I'll have to to do my home work. :o

Agree that he has a good bit of growing up and filling out to do, particularly over his loins and through his shoulder. After next weekend, he's off on his holidays until March. Alas looking at him, I'm pretty sure he's going to grow and given he's 15'3'' strong at the moment, I think small could be off the agenda.

ChristmasSparkles said:
To me, he's lovely...but not typey enough to be a LW Hunter for County level I'm afraid. I don't mean that in any disrespect at all, as I do think he's lovely and utterly gorgeous [What more do you want than a dun hunter!!!]. But, he's just not quite put together enough to be true to type LW...he'd be very under height for anything higher than local level classes. Todays LW's, tend to stand full up 16.3hh you'll find, not the 16.1/2hh's they used to be.

If you can get away with him being a small, then I'd opt for that and see how he does. Local level,he'd clean up as he extremely smart...but the higher classes, I think he'd struggle. Try some ladies classes with him and workers....if he jumps, then definitely go for workers, as if he jumps clear and well mannered, then that's half the job done :) When you do show him, make a note of which judges like him, and those who don't...then pick your shows accordingly to that. Be worth watching some classes you're expecting to do with him, to compare with and find out what the judges like etc and work on that [ie, big galloper, etc]

Good luck! He looks like he'll be a fabulous fun all rounder, as opposed to solely showing :)
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No disrespect taken - showing was never initially on the agenda especially, considering the bog monster that I originally bought! It's just nice to know that I could reasonably enter a class or two and not get laughed out of the arena.

Interesting re: the height thing though, I knew he'd be on the small side at circa 16hh but didn't realise others would be quite so big!

TBH, I don't think my show career will be long lived as I don't think I'll be able to cope with how subjective judges are. It's always driven me mad in dressage and the good/bad and right/wrong is far more clear cut than showing!

measles said:
I am a huge fan of dun connies and connie crosses - we have a 15.3hh rising 4yo silver dun Connie cross at the moment and like your boy I'm not sure that he is typey or large enough for lightweight hunter classes. Working hunters and local showing are definitely worth having fun at and I'm sure he will be a lovely horse as I do love the temperament that a connie, or part connie, often has.
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Totally agree - have always evented ISH or connie x's as the brains when things go wrong are invaluable. Given that I'm not a pro, I always felt it worth potentially forfeiting a mark or two in dressage as I went up the levels in exchange for a 5th leg on the cross country.
 
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Wow he's gorgeous! Very jealous! Connie Xs are the best types of horses in my opinion. So versatile and willing. I also think he'd be a great workers horse if he turns out to be a jumper. He'd really stand out in the ring there and as has been said, if he does a nice polite clear round then that's half the battle!
 
I would agree with the others and say he will be too small for LW hunter at county level. For this you need a 16.3 TB or tbx type.
 
Ladies hunter. He would be a lovely picture with a side saddle and navy habit.

It is not entirely true that all lightweight hunters are very tall. If you look at Finn McCool, Hoy's LW champion on several occasions, he would not have been too tall, but he was of true hunter stamp. Your lovely boy would be a little ponyish stood against hunters at County level, especially if the classes are qualifiers for RIHS or HOYS.

Many county shows have local hunter classes, novice classes, novice workers and something you have not mentioned - large riding horse classes and from his pictures, I think he is more a riding horse than a hunter.
 
Not all ladies hunters are huge but they do tend to be 'typey'. He may mature to be more hunterish looking, tho.
Have a look at the side saddle association's website for some ideas on classes - equitation is great but is very competititve and you have to be quite dedicated!
They don't really want to start side saddle until they are five (especially as he looks as if he's got some growing to do) but you could have some lessons on a schoolmaster in the meantime to find out if it is for you.
And a word about local showing - depending on where you are in the country you can have loads of fun without the expense of affiliating, plus there are 'amateur' champs such as Equifest and the Royal London to aim for. It might also fit in better (especially budget wise) if you want to do a bit of eventing too!
 
You jammy devil, he's gorgeous! I love your stables too; proper stables not the tin pot ones you get nowadays.

Agree totally with A Alice - who does know what she's talking about, she has the T shirt for hunters but you're going to have loads of fun with him whatever he decides he's best at.
 
Can I ask where you are based Event_Rider? PM if you prefer. I may be able to put you in touch with someone who can give you tons of side saddle info re classes etc.

Agree that he still needs to grow into himself. Having seen horses come into the yard at 16hh and leave 18 months later at closer to 17.2, I wouldn't rule anything out yet, though his connie breeding may mean he stays closer to current height.

alainax - 'typey' is a phrase used to describe whether a horse is true to type, if he's not then he's referred to as 'not very typey'.
 
Very nice indeed..........would certainly look at workers, I had a Connie X years ago who was similar stamp to your chap and he did very well in Workers and Side Saddle. Good luck with him and I hope he's going to be a keeper!!!! :D
 
ironhorse said:
Not all ladies hunters are huge but they do tend to be 'typey'.

And a word about local showing - depending on where you are in the country you can have loads of fun without the expense of affiliating, plus there are 'amateur' champs such as Equifest and the Royal London to aim for. It might also fit in better (especially budget wise) if you want to do a bit of eventing too!
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Have a look at the Trail Blazer series too, they do dressage, showjumping and showing. It seemed to start off aimed at the lesser mortals, but it has grown over the years, and is an excellent starting place for young or inexperienced horses. The standards are improving and they have a fabulous championship weekend at Stoneleigh Park. We took a young dressage horse and it was a super experience for him, we also watched the showing classes and the hunter champion would have been in the top 6 in open company at county level.

They have a website and run shows over most of the country, usually at good equestrian competition centres, so you have decent facilities and a good experience for the younger horse. We will be going in the spring, for the led hunter class, Little Ted will love prancing his feathers at the judge, and Alice will flutter her extra long eyelashes at all the boys - all good healthy and educational fun, just have to find someone to absail alongside Ted, any offers Maesfen ?
 
I would say he's more of a riding horse type than a hunter? But I only know about show ponies and hacks really so not hugely qualified!
 
alainax said:
Sorry for the daft question, buy what's typey? I only ask as I'm looking to do hunter shows next year.

Beautiful horse, really love his colour.
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If they are 'typey' it means the look very stereotypical of the common type.

so Hunters, bay, good strong legs, bold face, quite tall, what you'd imagine if someone said 'Hunter'

so if someone says 'they're small for a hunter but very typey' it means that although they lack the height of a typical hunter, they are a typical 'stamp' of the meaning in all other areas.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Hadn't actually considered riding horse classes. Always assumed that riding horses were more quality than hunters? (again could be showing my total ignorance about showing classifications!:rolleyes:)

Have someone locally who has both shown and judged side saddle at every level who I'll get a few lessons with. I've wanted to learn for ages anyway and no doubt she'll be able to put me on the right track as to what's suitable class wise. I'd like to do a few days actual hunting and could use one of the older horses in the yard as my guinea pig!

Will know more what I'll have in March when he comes back off his holidays. Have a feeling that he'll be a bit of a nightmare to manage over the winter though. His coat is very fine (The photos were taken last week and he's not clipped!) and feels the cold so might not cope very well with being turned away. If that's the case, he could end up having to be a bit spoilt!
 
Hes lovely :) love the last pic of him. Looks like a fab all rounder but agree with Christmas Sparkles that he's not 'typey' enough to be a true hunter. Having said that, judges might like him as he is a handsome boy do u never know! Good luck with him :)
 
I like him but don't think he will be ready to show till 2014. He is very lanky, and I think will get quite a bit bigger than you first thought! He's also very narrow currently and has an awful lot of chunking up to do. I find with showing there's no point putting them in anything aff until they are completely ready and can hold their own. I would see what he is going to become and then enter a few local classes next summer for his ring craft and then aim
For some novice classes end of the season. Showing loves a fresh horse, so taking your new one put fully prepared is always the best move ready to really campaign at county level. I entered my two boys in a couple of county shows for experience last year and am spending all winter schooling them on and doing some local dressage and hunting. Next season they will come out properly and be ready for RIHS classes.
 
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