Would Badger be quality enough to do novice workers (county)

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Starbucks

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Don't really know what I'm talking about, but just thinking of possible options for our plans for next summer.

I'm thinking Novice workers county shows are about 3'6''? If anyone could give me any info on registrations/restrictions etc. that would be brill?

Anyway, no point if he's too ugly!

Best confo pics I have.. he'd had acp hence being a dope!
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Jumped a lot bigger than in jumping pic but can't be bothered to trawl through photobucket!!

Legs fairly clean although his knees are a little lumpy from 2 trip ups while walking along! :(

What do you think?
 
From the jumping photo, he looks the right type and seems to jump nicely. The two of him tied up do him no favours as hes asleep and not showing himself off. On the flat he looks like he needs to be a lot rounder and work through from behind more (but thats just on that photo). You could work on that over the winter.

Have you done any at local level? That should give you an indication.

No harm in trying a couple and seeing how you go on...
 
Can't help with registrations etc but I would say give it a go. He looks a good type and if he jumps well at least you will be in with a shout. Are you eligible for search for a star as if that runs again next year it could well be worth doing? You never know if you don't try. My little horse bought to "do well at local level" has qualified and been placed at HOYS so aim high.
 
He jumps very well (jumped NC BSJA) and would imagine he goes in the right kind of way for workers (he is a very good hunter afterall! ;) )

At local level, I did a novice worker when he was a baby and he won, then I've done 2 open workers where he came 2nd in both, a really nice horse won one and the other we came second because I galloped behind the line which she said was dangerous so put me 2nd.... not a huge amount of cometition in either though I have to say.
B
Better flatwork pics?
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You could do with finding a showing yard or judge in your area for advice, and seeing what they think.

The flatwork still looks to need a little tweaking to be at county level. Working on that would help the topline and bum. Dressage work and lessons over the winter... It sounds as though the jumping wouldn't be a problem.

Sorry if this sounds critical. He looks to have potential.
 
Thanks. It was just an option I'm also considering SJing and Eventing but I think Eventing is going to be the front runner.

TBH although I think he would be impressive in the jumping I don't think he'd show himself off well enough in the ridden part and also may not have the quality and clean limbs of other horses.

If we have to concentrate on dressage... we may as well get to do some fun XC! :)

Thanks all the same everyone! :)
 
In working hunter the judge should put up the horse most suited to the country they are hunting/judging in, so that might influence your entry to any particular show.
 
yorksG said:
In working hunter the judge should put up the horse most suited to the country they are hunting/judging in, so that might influence your entry to any particular show.
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I do wonder if WH has anything actually to do with hunting though!! But interesting point! Having moved from Rockwood Harriers country where most horses were small and chunky to cope with the trappy country, was interesting to see the horses with the Meynall - they are all big and rangey (sp?) looking!
 
Well I do know of one show in your old country which certainly did have plenty to do with hunting:D The highest placed hunt member had a seperate trophy (not sure if this is still the case tbh)
 
Starbucks said:
TBH although I think he would be impressive in the jumping I don't think he'd show himself off well enough in the ridden part and also may not have the quality and clean limbs of other horses.
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I would have a go anyway - in most of the county workers I have watched this year, very few horses jump clear, so horses who jump well but are less than perfect in other ways are well up in the placings.
 
I say give it a go and see how you do :) For registering etc you'd have to both be with the ISH register and him be overstamped.

For novice, you can get away with a snaffle to start with if you really want to, but would have to upgrade to a double eventually.
Lumbs and bumps, to a degree, are a bit more acceptable in WH as they're working horses, but obvious conformation faults etc are a no-no. If he goes clear, does a nice ridden and group compared to one which say looked spot on but had faults in the jumping or ridden....then if you're being correct, in my eyes it's the clear one's which should automatically be put up first in the line up without a thought in workers. Doesn't always happen though!

For how he looks, muscle wise, I'd invest in a bungee and lunge lunge lunge to build his topline up and alter his feed to suit obv. Also decide on quarter marks to suits him also - either the lines or a V on his quarters, sharks teeth and 'bum roll'.
Change his tack and you might be mildly suprised with how he looks! Stick him in a flat plain cavesson [you could get away with a flash if you really need it], similar for the browband and make sure it's all billets not buckles etc. Ideally want a WH saddle to really show off his shoulder more and give him more range in his movement...you'd be amazed how much more movement you get out of them when their shoulder's completely free. And will help with his ridden part too as will show him off more. Decide on what you want on him, as you won't be able to change it between obv - only thing you remove is his booties if he's wearing any for the jumping.

For him ridden wise, get him really powering on and work on him opening his stride up more, if you can 'flash' him properly up do so [Not in a dressage-y way - just really get him lifting, in his own frame and lifting the front end up to open up his stride]...nothing huge or over flashy...just getthat 'extra something' there to make the judges want to look at him otherwise it's just another horse going round. :)
For the jumping, make sure he's used to opening up and pushing on a bit more....no poncy canter going round. Remember the striding's are built slightly longer than SJ. ;)

And make sure he really is honest anf bold with his jumping....some of the worker courses at County level are no easy feat!! Some are bloody scary **** lol.

I would suggest, and don't feel offended....have a go at amateurs to start with with him. Otherwise you will still end up against the 'big fishes' of the showing world, even in the novices...

But really really good luck with him :)
 
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