would this count against us

[bedbug]

I have been given the offer of going to a local show. They do mainly showing classes at this show and I have a welsh section D. He does have lovely action and is a very good example of the breed however he has a thin maine by his withers where rugs have rubbed and he has a bald patch on his nose where he was left out with a headcollar on and I doubt the hair will ever grow back...so what do judges actually look for?

I'm not doing it to win as such just to have some fun and do something a bit different but I wouldn't like to put either of us through the humiliation of being looked down upon as he is not perfect rather I would hope he would be judged for his confirmation etc.

am I worrying needlessly should I just go for it?

 

[merlinsquest]

I doubt that you will find any horse in the class that is absolutely perfect either.... otherwise they would be competing at the county shows.....

Locals are for fun... go for it

and enjoy

See if a bit of cornucrescine either hides or makes the hair grow back (maybe not in time for the show though) and dont worry about the mane..... unless he looks like a louse victim

If he has nice action and is a good example then you are most of the way there

Go go go

 

[Natch]

Oh, don't I know the rug rubbing mane problem with welsh Ds!!!

They look for confirmation, way of going, presence... aesthetics like mane and rub marks complete the picture, rather than form the main criteria to be judged on. I show a welsh D with a scar on his hock, otherwise very well put together for showing, and he has done brilliantly ridden, but not so well in-hand - all the judges have a good look at that leg, but when asked they all say it goes on confo and way of going before lumps and bumps.

There are plenty of tricks of the trade that could help you disguise his mane and bald patch - try thinning the rest of the mane (is often done on welsh Ds anyway - they are no longer "left natural" but preened and pampered to look "au naturale" if you get me.

You could also plait his mane when you've washed it and the kinks will help to bulk it out. For his face, I don't know if you're in-hand or ridden, but could you adjust the noseband so that it covers it?

Good luck, and HAVE FUN!!!