Working Hunter Advice?!?

[taimargilbert20]

Hi guys!!

I’m not very knowledgeable re the showing world haha! However Nemo’s owners have said they would love to see him have a go at some working hunter classes this year and maybe try and qualify for HOY’s.

I need some advice! Nemo is a 15.1hh Welsh D, so what working hunter classes can he do? Would it only be for the M&M section (if so would he be a horse or pony) or could be entered for something else?
Also he’s not just going to be doing showing this year we want to have a go at some BE and Showjumping as well so we don’t want him looking like your “traditional” section D as he gets fully clipped out and feathers trimmed etc?

From the above if you know what class he would be what heights would the jumping be?

If you go through some of my previous post’s it’ll show pictures of him and what he looks like for his breed. I don’t think he’s a “traditional” welsh D so to speak as he’s isn’t very broad and has really long legs etc but I could be wrong I don’t really know!

And also rider help! Is working hunter attire different to normal showing classes? Am I right in thinking, tweed coat, navy hat, beige/canary jods etc?

Any help would greatly be appreciated I’m a bit of a showing numpty! Haha

 

[be positive]

A 15.1 Welsh cob will only really have the M&M WHP classes as an option at higher levels, he would not get a look in at HOYS qualifiers for open working hunters who are generally big horses of true hunter type.
If you show him in M&M classes he must be presented as a native with feathers and a decent amount of mane and tail so by trimming him up you will be wasting your time at affiliated level, the classes are split by breed usually, he would be in the section for large breeds as welsh ds have no upper limit .

I would concentrate on his BE and sj career and do a few local level workers for fun and see how they go, turnout is the same as for most showing classes, tweed is correct.

 

[wench]

If you enter M&M workers, he will have to be turned out "true to type" ie au natrel.

Two points - not sure if M&M workers will allow horse height "ponies" in, and not sure if they will allow adult riders.

If you are planning on entering county level WH, ie alongsides horses, be very aware that he will not be the correct "type" for it. The normal WH horse is approx 17 hh, chunky TB, or TB cross.

 

[taimargilbert20]

Thank you! I did think this would be the case. We've tried showing him in just M&M classes before but he doesn't even get looked at because he looks more like a sports pony than a true Welsh? Would this mean trying to do M&M workers just isn't worth it?

 

[MHSporthorses]

The classes you would need to enter to qualify for HOYS would be the open M&M WHP. you would need to jump the exc 143cm class and you are fine at being a large D as there is no upper height limit for this breed. the fences at qualifiers would be around 1m and i think its 1.05 at the final. because of the way that the WHP classes are marked you can still do well even if your pony isn't the most true to type as the majority of the marks can be gained from the jumping section and also for manners and way of going. if you want to start a little bit lower you could try entering novice and intermediate classes first to get into the swing of things! as the others have already mentioned, turn out should be as for the breed which means feathers on and only light tidying of mane!

 

[taimargilbert20]

Thank you everyone! I didn't realise there were so many different aspects to it! By the sounds of it he doesn't seem like the right type then! I wanted to do it mainly due to the fact he's go such an amazing jump and his way of going etc is very good!

@MHSporthorses! Thanks I will try to find some like this, do they do any sport horse/pony classes or would a welsh not be accepted into this ?

 

[rara007]

Two points - not sure if M&M workers will allow horse height "ponies" in, and not sure if they will allow adult riders.
.

Adults are allowed in all height M+M whp, and the over 143cm section allows section Ds (who have no upper height limit)

How 'welsh' is he? You might get away as a 153cm WHP or intermediate working hunter depending on your age? At local level a good round and gallop will go above something that's 17hh that doesn't jump well!

 

[welshstar]

I had a quick nosey at your past posts to have a look at him. He looks a nice type and looks 'welshy' enough for m&m workers. I wouldn't be too put off by the lack of trimming, especially in workers you could get away with a pulled mane but I would try and resist the feathers!

I've taken my welshy in mixed 15hh workers at local level (turned out true to type) and he's done well. I'd start here to get him and yourself used to the type of fences and the way these classes are run. If you want to try a bit more, look up your local bsps or puk area. The novice jumps for his height would be 85cm but some areas do do starter stakes type classes for more of an introduction. A local show to me has this class at 60cm.

The working hunter classes are really good fun and the ponies don't have to be as polished as the flat classes to have fun. I'm contemplating going back out again but we've gone quite rusty jumping over 80cm!!

 

[conniegirl]

TBH you will needto decide if you want to event or do HOYS classes as you wont be able to do both.

For a start for the HOYS classes you will bein the M&M large class and jump the exc 143 cm heights, this means you will need full feather, a welshies mane can be pulled but not to plaiting length and you cannot clip an M&M for summer shows (WPCS harshly peanalises any fresh clips after march and other societies heavily frown on it).
I would suggest that unless your pony is very typey, jumps beautifully in a working hunter style (it is not showjumping, your round must be smooth, flowing, clear and at a good hunting canter), does a beautiful show on the flat, you are willing to turn him out correctly and have a lot of money to throw at it then I would write off HOYS entirely.

That doesnt mean however that you cant have fun and potentialy do well at local shows and smaller county shows.