Worries about weight in Best turned out

[AstonishedTrowel]

Hi all,

I will be taking a lovely 7 yo sports horse-type mare to her first, local show at the beginning of next month. She has had a lot of time off recently and I am making steady progress building her up, improving her suppleness, balance and fitness. Now she is fat - like REALLY fat. (She has been left to do nothing but eat, not my horse, lets not talk about that!)
So, I have entered her into a W&T Intro test which I'm happy she'll be able to complete nicely. I would also like to enter her into BTO, I've done these classes many times and I think it'd be a good class to start off in (in my experience no canter, or trot is required, just a sparkling horse and rider!).

HOWEVER....
Will I be marked down for how podgy she is??
I do think that weight is part of turn out and the way the horse looks over all, but she's not going to loose enough weight in time.

Advice appreciated!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Does it matter? Are you showing her for the experience, or because you want to win? If the BTO judge mentions the excess weight you could explain that you are showing her for the owner, who is trying to get her weight down with work.

 

[be positive]

Does it matter? Are you showing her for the experience, or because you want to win? If the BTO judge mentions the excess weight you could explain that you are showing her for the owner, who is trying to get her weight down with work.

This, you are doing it as a class for experience and as an adult, which I assume you are, it should be about the horse having a relaxed introduction to the show ring not about winning a rosette, that said you probably won't be the fattest in the class judging from what I saw at the weekend, most were not too bad but several were so obese you wonder why they aren't crippled with laminitis.

 

[AstonishedTrowel]

Does it matter? Are you showing her for the experience, or because you want to win? If the BTO judge mentions the excess weight you could explain that you are showing her for the owner, who is trying to get her weight down with work.

Very true you are correct! I was asking more out of interest and so I know what to expect, is this something they're routinely judged on or not, or is it down to the judge's discretion?

 

[oldie48]

I do a bit of low key judging and wouldn't put a horse down the line in BTO for being overweight but would in any other class. Really it's up to the judge but the more you get out and do, the less time the horse has to eat, it's a win- win situation even if you don't win! Just have fun!