Showing Which showing classes?!

[VScall]

My horse is currently 3 years old so we are doing inhand showing this year. She is a pure bred Irish Draught.
Thinking ahead to next year, which ridden classes should we look at entering? I have no idea how she would be classed in terms of hunters and we've had very little feedback so far.
She is about 16.2 and has about 9inches of bone (I think).
Any hints, tips and advice appreciated.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If you are thinking of local showing, very few have their hunter classes split in weights, so I would put her in the Hunter class, if there is one. If there isn't a Hunter class, I would look at Riding horse, or ridden horse. If she jumps, you could try WH but if she were mine,I would wait until the year after for that.
RC horse usually just has one or 2 jumps, so that might be possible, too.

 

[COldNag]

No advice to offer, but I wanted to say she is a very smart looking horse.

 

[VScall]

If you are thinking of local showing, very few have their hunter classes split in weights, so I would put her in the Hunter class, if there is one. If there isn't a Hunter class, I would look at Riding horse, or ridden horse. If she jumps, you could try WH but if she were mine,I would wait until the year after for that.
RC horse usually just has one or 2 jumps, so that might be possible, too.

We're dabbling in county level at the moment but I'm a total novice to showing!
Great advice thank you, I agree RE: WH. Won't be doing much if any jumping at all until she's older.

 

[VScall]

No advice to offer, but I wanted to say she is a very smart looking horse.

Thank you very much! She's my pride and joy.

 

[jnb]

I'd say depending on how she matures, LW or MW Hunter. The HWs are 17.2hh plus nowadays!
Would love to see her in Ladies classes too, there's a really obvious place for the side saddle. Lovely mare.

 

[VScall]

I'd say depending on how she matures, LW or MW Hunter. The HWs are 17.2hh plus nowadays!
Would love to see her in Ladies classes too, there's a really obvious place for the side saddle. Lovely mare.

Thank you for your reply!
I'm hoping she doesn't change too much but I'll be happy with however she matures.
What are the ladies classes? I'm not the most elegant of ladies but I could at least try ?.

 

[AdorableAlice]

If she moves straight, forget the local shows and get her registered. Put correct bridle on her for a led hunter and chop her tail off. This year you can do the 3 yr old hunter class and the ID youngstock class at the County shows.

Next year, subject to her education she could come out as a 4 year novice ridden hunter and ridden ID class. Obviously a photo is a moment in time, but she looks a super stamp. Good luck with her.

 

[VScall]

If she moves straight, forget the local shows and get her registered. Put correct bridle on her for a led hunter and chop her tail off. This year you can do the 3 yr old hunter class and the ID youngstock class at the County shows.

Next year, subject to her education she could come out as a 4 year novice ridden hunter and ridden ID class. Obviously a photo is a moment in time, but she looks a super stamp. Good luck with her.

Thank you, what would you suggest bridle wise? And how much tail off?
She is registered as pure bred in Ireland (now overstamped with the British society).

We have already done Royal Bath and West, going to Royal Three Counties in a couple of weeks, she's then getting graded in July and off to the breed show in August. Have only entered ID youngstock classes as we were advised to not enter hunter classes. Regretting that a bit now as I think she would've fared better with the judging in the hunter youngstock classes.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[humblepie]

She is very nice. I haven't shown hunters but perhaps look around early next year for a Showing Register clinic. They have done in hand and ridden this year and is an excellent way to find out what classes etc. On the tail front it should be able hock length though that is adult horses don’t know about if different for young stock. Perhaps for that and bridles look at the photos from Bath and West and other shows. Sounds like you are getting her really good experience going out and about. Good luck.

 

[fetlock]

She's lovely!

Whatever path you choose for her, I'll look forward to hearing how she does.

 

[VScall]

She's lovely!

Whatever path you choose for her, I'll look forward to hearing how she does.

That's very kind, thank you very much.

 

[Squeak]

Thank you, what would you suggest bridle wise? And how much tail off?
She is registered as pure bred in Ireland (now overstamped with the British society).

We have already done Royal Bath and West, going to Royal Three Counties in a couple of weeks, she's then getting graded in July and off to the breed show in August. Have only entered ID youngstock classes as we were advised to not enter hunter classes. Regretting that a bit now as I think she would've fared better with the judging in the hunter youngstock classes.

Thank you for your advice!

Is it too late to add the hunter classes in so that you can do both? Second the advice to have a look at the photos of the winners at some of the big shows for turnout tips. Also you can sometimes manage to catch the judge at the end of the class and ask for any feedback.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on. She looks lovely.

 

[VScall]

Is it too late to add the hunter classes in so that you can do both? Second the advice to have a look at the photos of the winners at some of the big shows for turnout tips. Also you can sometimes manage to catch the judge at the end of the class and ask for any feedback.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on. She looks lovely.

Thank you!
No unfortunately not! But there is always next year!

 

[LegOn]

She's fab! I would have said MW aswell - alot of the lightweights I've seen lately have less bone, more barrel & blood, leaning into Large Riding Horse essentially! I think her bone & standing would be a fab MW!

In Ireland we have alot of ID classes to promote the breed but I guess maybe not so much in the UK!

Definitely bang the tail up to below the hock and your turnout is beautiful so just go and enjoy!