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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
   
Location: North Dakota | Which AQHA gelding has better conformation in terms of showing at halter?
I like to go to local showing/gaming shows and now my two horses will usually be in the same age category (3 and older geldings). I have no idea which one I should show!
I have a coming 8-year-old gelding, Red (the red roan). He's just under 15.2 hands. He is slightly pigeon-toed, has a narrow base for his build, and is ever so slightly cow hocked when he stands funny. But I showed him at two shows this summer (and if I remember correctly) he placed 3rd out of 17 at one show, and 2nd or 3rd out of 10 to 12 at another show.
I have a coming 3-year-old gelding, Shotgun (the grey one). He is 15.2 hands and growing. His legs are straight and strong as they come, but he does look a little longish on his underline (and possibly back). He's pot bellied at the moment because he's been doing nothing but eating, and I plan to start riding him on a regular basis this year so that will help with muscle and toning. I showed him twice in the 2-years-and-under division last year, and at both shows there were two entries (including myself) and he won both. ;-)
If you were a judge, which one would you place higher for halter?
I feel like Shotgun has better overall balance and conformation ... but Red has a prettier head and more that stocky halter look to him. So I don't know!
Edited by r_beau 2014-01-20 5:57 PM
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 Crazy Doggy Mommy
Posts: 1419
Location: Where Governor's make the liscense plates | I'd choose the first sorrel roan guy. then the grey then the 2nd sorrel- I have never shown halter personally so my opinion is to be taken with a grain of salt  |
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  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | Which shows are you going to be going to? Pretty much everything I've gone to around here just has showmanship instead of halter. So more important that conformation is how snappy & perfect they are through their manuevers. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | I'll help. Send Red to my house, then show Shotgun. :)
Sorry I'm not really any help, I tried to do horse judging with FFA in high school but I sucked. They are both really pretty though! |
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 Saint Stacey
| They are very similar. I judge would probably swap them back and forth either way. Typically though when it comes to halter, the aged horse will place over the younger ones most of the time. The roan is heavier muscled at this point so he's the one I would go with.
When judging halter, the number one thing they look at is balance. I was flat out told I wasn't allowed to look at legs when judging halter because I placed too much emphasis on structrual correctness. Heck, I was beat at the World Show once by a horse that was disgustingly over in the knee (I was really mad at that, lol).
Maybe once the gray matures, he might beat the roan. But at this point, you are safer to go with the aged horse, even if he is slightly pigeon toed.
But I reserve the right to change my mind if you post pictures of both horses from the front. Going off of side views only, I pick the roan. |
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Member
Posts: 14
| I'd pick the roan over the grey. The grey isn't as balanced as the roan and his back is pretty flat and long. The roan is definitely more muscled and if i were judging a class I would place him over the roan |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 972
Location: Texas! | Just looking at balance the roan over the grey. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | Red has a better shoulder and is hands down the nicer horse. More balanced.  |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | I'm liking the roan |
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Keep me outta the basement
Posts: 1246
| I've shown halter and the roan would place over the grey |
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | firstFireWater: The red roan is the same horse. There isn't a first and second?  I've only got two horses.
SaraJean: One of the little show circuits I like to go to is the South Central Horse Show Association. They have three shows: Oakes, Ellendale, and Edgeley. They have a 2-and-under class, and 3-and-older class. (for geldings). I love these shows because they have showing and gaming, and everyone is so laid back and just there to HAVE FUN. No pressure. They also have showmanship ..... which I need to practice at this year because neither of my horses know how to set up!
I'm also looking at going to a show or two put on by the Turtle Mountain Horse Show Assoc. They seem to have halter classes at most of their shows, along with showmanship.
I went to a few of the of the Circle Cross horse shows (Jamestown) this year for the first time, and they do not do halter. Just showmanship.
Lindsay: Nice try.  But thanks for the compliment!
SKM: You know, I was thinking this too. He's older and he's filled out. However, I will mention that a 3-year-old placed 2nd in front of me (out of the 17 entries show) and although that horse was put together nice, he had the steepest pasterns I've ever seen in person  ...... so maybe why that one placed a head of me, as far as balance.
Cool. Thanks for all the replies everyone. Well maybe I can show Red in halter ... and teach Shotgun to behave and set up for showmanship!!
Red can sure LOOK the part. (except that I refuse to cut and band his beautiful mane to show locally). He just needs more seasoning and practice to PLAY the part too.
Edited by r_beau 2014-01-20 10:26 PM
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | firstFireWater: The red roan is the same horse. There isn't a first and second? I've only got two horses.
SaraJean: One of the little show circuits I like to go to is the South Central Horse Show Association. They have three shows: Oakes, Ellendale, and Edgeley. They have a 2-and-under class, and 3-and-older class. (for geldings). I love these shows because they have showing and gaming, and everyone is so laid back and just there to HAVE FUN. No pressure. They also have showmanship ..... which I need to practice at this year because neither of my horses know how to set up!
I'm also looking at going to a show or two put on by the Turtle Mountain Horse Show Assoc. They seem to have halter classes at most of their shows, along with showmanship.
I went to a few of the of the Circle Cross horse shows (Jamestown) this year for the first time, and they do not do halter. Just showmanship.
Lindsay: Nice try. But thanks for the compliment!
SKM: You know, I was thinking this too. He's older and he's filled out. However, I will mention that a 3-year-old placed 2nd in front of me (out of the 17 entries show) and although that horse was put together nice, he had the steepest pasterns I've ever seen in person ...... so maybe why that one placed a head of me, as far as balance.
Cool. Thanks for all the replies everyone. Well maybe I can show Red in halter ... and teach Shotgun to behave and set up for showmanship!!
Red can sure LOOK the part. (except that I refuse to cut and band his beautiful mane to show locally). He just needs more seasoning and practice to PLAY the part too.
Edited by r_beau 2014-01-20 10:26 PM
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Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | You should check out the Bismarck Horse Club as well if you've never been to any of theirs. They offer English & Western show classes as well as speed events. It's a pretty show oriented club for the most part but a pretty good group of people there. |
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | SaraJean - 2014-01-20 10:37 PM You should check out the Bismarck Horse Club as well if you've never been to any of theirs. They offer English & Western show classes as well as speed events. It's a pretty show oriented club for the most part but a pretty good group of people there.
Yup! I have gone to their shows in the past. And they obviously are WAY closer for me, travel-wise.
I kinda like the SCHSA shows a little better though, because they actually discourage lots of silver on your saddle and chaps, etc. To keep it more "fun" and laid back. I did feel a little out of place at the last BHC show I went to, in my barrel saddle and jeans.  But it was still a good experience for my horse. Thought about hitting up one or two this year. We'll see!! |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | You have two handsome boys!!!!  I don't know anything about showing halter but I like Red. :)
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Which AQHA gelding has better conformation?