working cobs-oh help bit confused

[imi]

entered first ever working cob the other day and won hehe but im a bit confused about heights etc and lightweight/heavyweight malarky
and what bridle to wear-atm in a snaffle bridle, does this need to change to double in future?
but yes really what heights are the courses at county shoes (not there yet but working towards it hopefully!), what do i wear etc etc.

this is him, rubbish angle sorry

hum him during hunting season (lack of muscle understandably but get the idea)

(naughty hands *slaps wrists* this was a while ago, again hes a more muscley now)
oh hes 15.1

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[MouseXX]

Hi - congrats on your win. Well done. Hope the following helps.

Lightweight Cob:
The Lightweight Cob should be exceeding 148cm, but not exceeding 155cm and have a minimum of 8 1/2 inches of bone and be capable of carrying 14 stone.

Heavyweight Cob:
The Heavyweight Cob should be exceeding 148cm, but not exceeding 155cm and have a minimum of 9 inches bone and be capable of carrying more than 14 stone.

Working Cob:
Cob exceeding 148cm, but not exceeding 155cm.

Novice Jumps: Minimum 2'3" maximum 2'6", maximum spread 2'6"
Open Jumps: Minimum 2'6 maximum 2'9", ,maximum spread 3'0

Not sure about the bridle, I think a youngster may be able to do a ridden lightweight class in a snaffle. But I've always competed at both, ridden and workers in a double.

 

[SpruceRI]

I don't know much, but friend used to work for a lady who showed Working cobs County level. They were all huge - well maximum size 15.1hh but built like brick loo houses!!!

Was always surprised that these hippo-like creatures could get over the jumps... 3ft 6" + if I remember rightly. Presumably they were doing the Open / heavyweight section??

Not sure whether the weights are the same as hunters - correct me if I'm wrong anyone!! Lightweight carries <12 stone. Middle weight upto 14 stone and heavyweight over 14 stone.

Your cob looks lean and fit - which is how I prefer them but think they have to carry more weight for showing and be fully hogged.

Lady's cobs were shown in double bridles, plain leather, wide nose and browbands, but again, think she did Open classes.

I'm sure there must be different heights of the jumps for different weights of cob or at least Novice, Intermediate and Open. Unaff stuff would be pretty small I'd think - 2ft 6", but not normally split into weights and standards.

Probably best to contact the British Show, Hack and Cob society (now called something else, can't remember what!) as I'm sure they'll be able to tell you all.

 

[imi]

wow 2ft3 and 2ft6, thats a surprise, i expected it to be a lot bigger.
brilliant help thankyou, i *think* hes a lightweight.
Poor boy is going to be a bit confused this summer, going sj over pretty coloured fences then changing bridles and going over nice rustic jumps.
oh well guess it prooves cobs are versatile.

i know i msut say im all for the sports cob look too. he has more muscle and 'fat' now than those pics, but does he really have to be quite fat to do it

. sorry can you tell i dont do showing

 

[virtual]

He looks lovely, have you watched a few open classes? You can then decide whether he's a light or heavyweight. He looks like he's got the limbs of a heavyweight, but may need more topline - but it's hard to tell from the photos.

You can use a snaffle or double (or pelham with 2 reins) for novices, but the vast majority will be in two reins of some sort, as will the open cobs.

Good luck with him.

 

[MouseXX]

Hi, I've never found the height a problem, especially since they reduced the height last year. I think they want more people to enter.

The only problem I've found is at most shows the jumps are straight forward, however it has been known for them to stick in a really narrow jump (but if you practice at home, it ain't really a problem).

I actually found that, due to them reducing the height, my horse is a bit careless. It is almost like he can't be bothered to pick his feet up because the jumps are so small.

However, when I got back from showing yesterday, he decided (well only after I left his stable door open (trust him too much)), that he would put himself out in the field.

He did a lovely extended trop up to the field, then nicely popped the 4ft fence into the field.

Hope this helps.

 

[imi]

he does need a lot more topline, hes only been back in proper work for 3 weeks really (had a month of light hacking after hunting season pretty much finished), so its given me hope i can win in the state he is in now. pro photos will hopefull be up in a few days so some critique on those will be fab.

i was actually hoping the jumps would be bigger

, its a bit of the old 'just because my horse is a cob it doesnt mean hes any less of a jumper than your big posh horses' etc.

 

[FMM]

They used to be much bigger (3'6") but the heights were reduced a few years back. However, they do have a Grand Prix at the Nat Champs which is a bit bigger. As Virtual says, he looks to have quite a lot of limb, and once he is back in proper work it would be interesting to see how he looks! Has a lovely jump on him though!