what are considered 'good markings' in coloured horses ?

burtondog

burtondog

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www.michellehudson.co.uk
My new horse is technically 'coloured', and by technically I mean he's actually dun with just one splodge of white on his neck (see photos). I was thinking I might like to do some Coloured showing classes but I've heard people with proper coloured horses talking about 'good markings'. What's good and what's not ? Is more white better ?

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Have no idea when it comes to showing but just had to post to say your horse is stunning and what striking markings
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There is a very similar pony (marking wise) that has won at the last two CHAPS Championship shows, both in hand and ridden, so it hasn't done him any harm.
I have shown in coloured classes and I'm not really sure how much the judges go on markings, I think it is more like "normal" showing where they look at confo and way of going. If it is close to call, then I guess markings might come into it. Evenly marked is meant to be good.
I think yours looks lovely and I would've thought you'd do well. If you don't do well, ask judge why, then you'll see if he hasn't enough splodges for their liking.
If you do show, try and go in a class where they have been split into native and non-native. If it's a combined class and the judge likes natives, you're wasting your time, not that you'll know until she/he pulls the line in. If the classes are split, at least it's a level playing field.
 
I'm by no means an expert, but my understanding that even markings are good and margins where the colours meet (i.e. where the white/coloured coat blend - like on your boys splodge) are frowned apon. I also thought they were supposed to have a minimum % of white to cloured coat (but not sure what that % is). Often local shows do Odd Coloured classes too for Dun, Roans, Palomino and Spots.
 
The colouring shouldnt really come too much into it. they are looking at overall appearance after conformation etc. Your horse is very nice looking, but obviously the way he moves etc will come in over the top of the markings
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See looking at that (see page 3), then I would think he is not coloured enough.

His patch is probably 15 x 15cm (minimum accepted), but he would also need two other markers (see list), which he may have, but it is not obvious from the pics. Mind you locally who is going to know or care (you're lucky if the judge can even tell a lame horse from a sound one)!!!!
 
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Coloured Horse & Pony Society (CHAPS)

Tel: 01685 845045, Email: chapsuk@compuserve.com

A "coloured" horse is defined as black and white 9piebald) or any other colour and white - bay, roan, grey, chestnut (skewbald) - with a minimum white patch of six inches in diameter. The white patch must be naturally occurring hair and be on the body, above the stifle and elbow levels.

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Dont know if this helps??? Your horse is lovely though
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Thanks, that's all really helpful.

I think based on the booklet and your answers he qualifies. The 'splodge' is about 15cm (6inch) diametre (you can't really tell from the photos but to put some kind of scale on it, he's 16hh) and with the leg markings going over the knee we should be fine.

Now I just need to get some condition on him, teach him to go into canter without bucking and we'll be well on the way !
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When I was probationing with a CHAPS judge I was told that colour has little to do with it. As long as you meet the criteria as already posted then you are perfectly eligible to enter the classes. Conformation and manners are much more important. Type also comes into it - you wouldn't put a Riding Pony type into a Vanner class for instance.
 
Your boy is definatly 'coloured' and CHAPS etc showing classes are first and foremost judged on type, manners, conformation, movement etc etc. The only time markings come into it is that some horses have unfortunate markings that can make a shoulder look straight or a neck look short due to the optical illusion of where the white is. No such problems with your boy, in fact I think his markings are lovely
 
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