Welsh Section D - rising three

[welshd2013]

Evening all,

Please stay with me, I've a few questions!

I'm hoping somebody with experience can help. I have a Welsh Section D Gelding, born 2013 so rising 3. I have shown him at a few local shows, two large country show, one Welsh Silver Medal show and I have also taken him to one showing clinic. I have received VERY mixed reviews.

At the large country shows, we were placed last, the judge barely looked at him and one said he was 'gorky' but they were both M&M classes and the judges both bred and subsequently placed New Forrest ponies.

At two local shows (M & M 2 year olds) we were placed first although there was little competition and one Welsh Section D 2 & 3 year old class we were placed last, but arrived late, he was sweaty and we just looked wholly unprepared and unprofessional.

At the showing clinic I was told he was immature physically, but had a superb conformation and movement, a lovely head, feathers and good feet but that a lot of Welsh judges would say he was too flashy.

At the Welsh Medal class we were the only ones in our class but went on to take Reserve Champion and the judge absolutely loved him.

We're due to go to Devon County Show next Friday in the Section D 3 Year Old class and I wanted some tips on preparation. Some have said to trim his beard, others have said to leave it but soften it with water. Some of the other Cobs I've competed against have had very short tails but I'm hugely reluctant to do this and also manes pulled very short, again I'd really rather not do this either but will if it's really necessary. My final question is about getting him to stand square and proud.....any tips???

Thanks in advance, this boy is the absolute love of my life and I'm really only showing him for him to get the experience and because he loves going out, I'm not going to put him through any undue stress but also want to show him off and don't want to let him down xx

P.s. if anyone can tell me how to post photos I'll add some!

 

[welshd2013]

 

[catroo]

Can't see picture but to get an idea at turn out look at the professional pictures from last year.

I would trim beard but not whiskers, Welsh cobs are quite heavily trimmed and tidied up compared to other natives. Definitely not au-natural!

Unfortunately with cobs there seems to be an inhand type and then a ridden type, I much prefer the ridden type.

The rings at devon county are decent sized so make the most of his good movement and use the space well. Plan ahead so you can stay balanced off the turns and then power down the straight, with out going overboard

 

[R.F.S]

Can't see picture unfortunately. I also have a Welsh d although only a yearling and I am taking his in hand results as abit of fun. Unfortunately as previously stated there does tend to be an inhand type And a ridden type. The horses you see do well inhand tend to look very big and mature for their age (I am based at a showing judges yard and we have had in depth conversations about this) the ones that as you put it are more Gorky and immature often flit up and down the line when showing as babies. My opinion is the Immature youngsters go on to a more successful ridden career As their joints develop more slowly making them stronger in the long run, hence why I am just using Inhand classes as experience rather than results as his 'career' is to be under saddle.

Well done on previous results and good luck for upcoming show with regards to turn out I would leave tail and discreetly trim beard and take the ends off his mane

 

[welshd2013]

Thank you both SO much! What you say makes enormous sense as the judge at the Welsh Medal show asked what I would be doing with him and I said if he eventually grows big enough then I'd like to ride him, if not I'll break him to harness (to be completely honest I'd be happy to keep him as a pet because he is just adorable!) and the judge said he was glad because he'll make 'the perfect riding cob'! I'm certainly in absolutely no rush for him to mature and now I realise that the horses who are winning in hand, belong to 'in hand showing pros' who have horses in every class and therefore they're bred for i hand showing not riding.

Once again thank you so much, the beard will be gone and I'll be happy that I'm not letting him down xx

 

[Crackerz]

Welsh D tails are always shown shorter, lightly pulled up top and feathered and flared near the bottom. I'm not sure if i have a decent picture of mine done last year - it needs doing again now!! Long manes are a no too, they weaken the look of the neck. You don't need to pull it to plaiting length though imo

Do you have a pic? Sometimes the quality of the hair makes a difference too, coarse feathers and manes can be softened with conditioner and leave in moisturiser (not at roots, for obvious reasons)

Really make his movement show - you'll have noticed that the inhand D's are trotted almost at the point of canter, that's why so many handlers wear football boots to run in.

Make sure he is absolutely GLEAMING too!!

I didn't bother with inhand with my boy - mostly because he was a poorly handled 3yold when i got him, so didn't have chance. Mine is a big boy, standing 15hh and in 6'6'' rugs at 5 years old. He has over 9.5" of bone too so is a proper tank - but my aim for him is HOYS flat and possibly workers if he is brave enough which i think he is.