Working hunter??... (with pics)

showjump

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 April 2006
Messages
2,638
Visit site
Ok so following on from my last post, asking whether my horse could do working hunter, here are some pics of my lad.
The general feed back from you all on my last post was that he needs more condition?

So here are some pics from friday, so more recent. What do you think then??
misc083.jpg

misc086.jpg

misc087.jpg

misc093.jpg

misc088.jpg
 
Depends what level you want to do? - I think you will be fine at local level but I do not think he looks county class. I would like to see a much more even front end and backend. If you look at the photos they look very round. But the joy of working hunter is that if he jumps clear he has to be considered. I have seen some crap doing county working hunter this year but all the winners have really shone and are a class above the rest.

I enclose some photos of county workers this is the winner of the novice at Bath and West.
http://gallery.horsepower-photography.com/viewpicture.tlx?albumid=100367&pictureid=4411966

http://gallery.horsepower-photography.com/viewpicture.tlx?albumid=100367&pictureid=4411865
 
I agree that he needs more muscle behind, and he is a little straight through the hock, but the one thing that stood out is if you want to do it above local level your going to need a much straighter cut saddle, and it needs to be placed further back to really show off his shoulder and make him look more in front of your leg. Good luck!!
 
Cannot see the pics?

He is 16hh. TBH i used to do workers with my 14.2hh about 5 years ago, and showing people on my yard have said he would make a good worker, so was just going to give it a go. Dont think i will bother now.

So are you saying that if he jumps round he will be considered, but may not be placed because he is not in the upper class? and has a small backend?
confused.gif
hmm might not give it a go now. Oh well, what if his bum was bigger? or is he still in a lower class?
 
I think that he's absolutely cracking!! Defo agree he needs more condition, and strapping his neck and bum will certainly help.

Why not contact FMM and see what she thinks?

You don't need a different saddle - stick with what you've got. If you do decide to give it a real crack next year, then maybe consider getting a working hunter saddle then (but don't waste money now).

Lovely chap
grin.gif
 
Thankyou. Yep i will stick to my saddle for now, (cannot sell that its my pride and joy!)

Sorry to sound dim but how do i pm FMM? can i do that without clicking on her user name? Or do i need to find a post by her?
confused.gif
grin.gif
 
There is no reason why you should not have a go at workers, but I think you may find that he is small compared with some of the others, and not quite as spot on on the conformation, although as LEC says, evening up his back end with his front end would make a totally different picture. Are you sure he is only 16hh or perhaps you are quite small? He looks bigger than 16hh in the photos!

On the plus side, he looks like he has a lovely outlook on life which judges always like to see, and he is also very striking colour which again helps in the show ring. Why not do some local classes next season (as we are nearly finished this season) and see how you get on before going the whole hog and paying a fortune to joining the SHB. The fences are quite a reasonable height in the affiliated classes - a good 3'6".

Looking back at your pics from earlier, there is a huge difference in the way he is looking - you should be really proud of the work you have done so far - I would think that if you work on his backside a little, you would be amazed that he will look even better next year!
 
Yes he is 16hh, i am vertically challenged!lol! (5 ft 2) He has been in work since April but has been injured since before christmas, so he can only improve from here.

He should have no prob with the height of fences as he is nearly grade b, and before being injured was happy jumping 1.20m+.

He is a fab colour, and with the flaxen mane and tail should stand out abit. He really does love himself so he will enjoy the experience if nothing else. Do they do any workers during winter?

Thank you for your help, will ahve to keep you up to date with piccies.
laugh.gif
 
Top