Cob classes - confused!!

[loziasa]

Hi all,

Just a quick message! I am just wondering about ridden cob classes.

I have a gorgeous traditional cob mare who I have shown once already this year, and I am hoping to enter a couple more classes at the next show.

I am just wondering whether she would be eligible for the cob classes, both in hand and ridden, as I was always under the impression that these classes meant 'show cobs' i.e. trimmed/hogged etc. However, at the last show there were a few traditional coloureds and a lovely big chestnut thing that was 'au naturel' too, so I am wondering whether I have simply misunderstood these classes!

Please let me know what you think :)

Helene

[horse__obsessed]

cob classes they need to be hogged unless its trad cob or native classes

[mogadoga]

Nope your safe to enter. Either all natural or all hogged and trimmed :D

[coyote]

i thought if you were a coloured traditional you were ok for cob classes but a non coloured traditional (as nelly was) had to be hogged and trimmed :confused:
Did that make any sence?

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/coyotegreyhounds/nellys%20shows/Image011.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/coyotegreyhounds/nellys%20shows/290308show001.jpg

[loziasa]

hmmmm mixed messages coming through here!!
Its only local showing so there is only one class, no separation for natives or traditionals, so I am assuming I am ok by what people have said???

Heres some pics if they help...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/tarashow1.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/tarashow2.jpg

Day before, after her bath!!

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/DSC00162.jpg

[coyote]

Well she is coloured(which you didnt mention in your original post:rolleyes:) so it doesnt matter either way as you can enter her anyway.;)

[Glider]

Often they'll have different wording - "show cob" - hogged and trimmed, "cob type" - any type of cob, "cob" - often depends on the judge, but if there's no other suitable class I'd give it a go.

However TBH I don't think your girl is heavy enough to be cob. I think she looks more of a beautiful coloured of native type (perfect for straight coloured classes).

[Hardy]

If it's a local show it shouldn't matter too much. Affiliated classes will require that you show in accordance with their rules which you can get of their websites. Our cob is registered with British Show Horse Assocation (was called show hack & cob) so he has to be hogged.

I'd have to agree with Glider that from the bottom pic she could do with a bit more body on her. The OH reckons our boy still needs more on him before he's ready to show - he was doing dressage in this pic:

http://ws42.com/ws4/Events/sample/images/bootsie.jpg

[Pink's lady]

I'd have to agree with Glider that from the bottom pic she could do with a bit more body on her. The OH reckons our boy still needs more on him before he's ready to show - he was doing dressage in this pic:

Please tell me you're not suggesting making the horse fat so it fits into the show class?!:eek: :mad:

[Valaraki]

I have a cob gelding similar to your and we took him to the local show where we entered the Cob class.

We were the only traditional cob in the class! Everyone else were show cobs.

He behaved not to badly for his first show (except for the rearing in the line up!!):confused::confused:

Anyway he ended up second and the judge said to us if he hadnt reared he would have been place first as it was a welcome sight to see a traditional cob again!!

I would go for it and enter as a traditional and make the most of it.

[chickflick1066]

Please tell me you're not suggesting making the horse fat so it fits into the show class?!:eek: :mad:She DIDN'T actually say that though did she:confused:

From Hardy's post I get the impression she means more 'body' as in filling out naturally. Or saying that she isn't in fact chunky enough to do a cob class in the first place!!

Loziasa, your mare is a STUNNER :D

[loziasa]

Thank you for all your lovely comments :)

I am just totally amazed that someone reckons shes not suitable to be classed as a cob!! :O I can't understand it shes huuuugggeee!! I have more pics if that makes it clearer! Plus she has been on an enormous diet over the winter so I am dammed if she is putting anymore weight back on!

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/DSC00169.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/DSC00138.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/DSC00146.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/SNV30148.jpg

[Nik-n-Kia]

I did a local cob class with Kia and he was plaited up and had his feathers trimmed but not removed.

We got a fourth and you can see in some of the pics that there were a few different horses in it of different types.

Here is the link to the thread

www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143119

Nikki xxxxx

ETA Kia is 3/4 Welsh D

[chickflick1066]

Loziasa, in that pic where she is bandaged, she definitely looks too fine to be a 'cob' but where her feather is full/free-flowing and her body is more visible, she definitely looks more substantial.

How tall is she? I really like her :D

[Jenny2502]

I put puzzle in cob classes (traditional) and always get placed :D

[Glider]

Loziasa, in that pic where she is bandaged, she definitely looks too fine to be a 'cob' but where her feather is full/free-flowing and her body is more visible, she definitely looks more substantial.


Ditto. In the bandaged picture she looks quite long in the leg for a cob, and without enough muscle over her hindquaters and neck inparticular. However in the later photos she looks better muscled. Which photos were taken most recently?

Cobs shouldn't be fat to do well in the show ring, but they do have to have large arses (!) either naturally or enhanced with lots of muscle, they also need to be of a short legged type with a lots of substance through the neck.

[Jillybean]

I don't think your girl is a true cob - a bit overly rotund perhaps but she hasn't the bone or the substance of neck to be a proper cob. I think she would look better trimmed and plaited - the long mane makes her neck look a bit on the weak side.

[loziasa]

So if you're saying shes not a 'true' cob then what is she? I am really confused now!?!

[coyote]

Of course shes a cob,:rolleyes:
how much bone does she have?
This will determine what kind of cob she is whether it be L/W or H/W
My boy has 10.75" of bone making him a H/W Cob.;):D

[coyote]

my pics above are the same horse!!
He is not classed as coloured so cant be shown as a coloured (although he has a huge splash under his tum;))
So i made the decision to hog and clip,he is built like a tank but the pics dont show this.;):o

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/coyotegreyhounds/Photo-0325.jpg

[freya_55]

i think your cob is lovely and at local level you should do great! :) she looks plenty full enough to me and i think you should be safe to enter as a traditional unless there are seperate classes stated on the schedule xx

[rtk]

I think this thread has illustrated the problem you will have. No one is sure what these classes are, including most of the judges.

Some local shows are great and specify what they mean "must be shown trimmed and hogged" others dont.

To be honest you are the mercy of the judge. You may do really well or you could be asked to leave the ring.

Occasionally we take our hogged coloured PONY to local shows to warm up. She is OK to be hogged as a coloured in affiliated but she is too small for a show cob class. We once won a local cob class against traditionals because the judge said she was the only one correctly turned out. Didn't like to tell her that she was the only one is the class who wouldn't have been eligible on height if it was a proper show cob class :D

[Jillybean]

Just beacuase something has a certain amount of bone doesn't mean it's a cob....

[rtk]

Just beacuase something has a certain amount of bone doesn't mean it's a cob....


I agree but this is local showing we are talking about :D. If people just want to enter classes for fun where is the harm. Good chance the judges wont know what a cob should be either

[coyote]

Just beacuase something has a certain amount of bone doesn't mean it's a cob....

Well spotted,very clever!! :rolleyes:
but this is a thread about cobs and to classify a cob easily,you take a measurement of bone.;)

[Glider]

Well spotted,very clever!! :rolleyes:
but this is a thread about cobs and to classify a cob easily,you take a measurement of bone.;)

This is a guide, not the be all and end all, it should also be decided on substance, movement and type.

Cobs only come in LW and HW varieties at affiliated level, unlike hunters which come in 3 weights. LW cobs are expected to be able to carry up to 14stone and HWs over 14 stone.

Many judges at local level are very experienced (lots of affiliated judges will judge at local shows too), but trying to sort out a hogged pony, a hairy traditional, an unruley but correctly turned out show cob and a perfectly behaved hunter type can be a challenge!

[coyote]

yes your right Glider,
but it had already been discussed early in the thread, regarding the OP mares weight and substance,then got the smart alleck comment above which was not necessary if they had actually read the rest of the thread.:rolleyes:

[kat1]

This subject is reallydown to personal opinion at local level of the judge concerned. Our 3 local rc shows have one cob class ridden for show / tradiitonals and my 14 1 hh traditional has come second over show cobs in it on more than one occassion and the one that wins all over our area is a traditional mw coloured!

Remember a cob is a type and not a breed so there is far more room for manouver.
At the same time I have seen so called cobs that have no characteristics at all ie long body, fine etc and they have been hogged and got nowhere. I love tradtionals! And the coloured concerned is lovely.

[loziasa]

So in your opinion is my horse a cob??? I am totally amazed that there are comments stating she isn't!! I can't understand it :S
She has 9 1/2 - 10'' of bone so I can't see why I have caused such a fuss?!?! And if she isn't a cob then what am I supposed to classify her as????? (I don't mean to sound uppity at all, just very confused now!!!)

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/tarashow2.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/DSC00169.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/DSC00116.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/DSC00119.jpg

(Shes a bit fat here!!)
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/Tara%20and%20Co/P8140009.jpg

[kat1]

I would class her the same as mine!!! I agree , she cant be anything else!!! In fact she looks just like the coloured that wins as a trad cob over the show cobs as I said in my above post! Gorgeous hairy chunky babe!!!

[rtk]

Definition of a cob, borrowed from The Show Ring

The lightweight cob should not exceed 15.1hh and have at least 8" of bone below the knee, while a heavyweight is classified to carry 14 stone or over at 15.1hh. The true weight carrier should have at least 9" of bone, with powerful hindquarters, but also a quality shoulder and head. The old saying that a show cob should have 'a head like a lady and a backside like a cook' is still an apt description of what one is seeking when looking for a cob to purchase.

[rtk]

Just look at the pic of So Smart on here

http://www.colouredcontacts.co.uk/varioustypesofcolouredhorsesandponies.php

Lovely cob

[Valaraki]

I would say she would be of cob type!

But what does it matter for local showing?

I say go and give it a try and enjoy it. Different judges like different things and who know you may just get a judge that likes the traditional type?

She is quiet similar to mine click on my webpage and look in my photos and you will see my B&W cob who competes locally in cob classes.

[Glider]

I would say she is a Traditional Coloured, or vanner type, rather than a cob.

Also have a look at http://www.bspaonline.com/types%20breeds.htm

[chunky monkey]

I would say a cob, I guess its just a question of hw or lw. I don't see that it matters. Looking at pictures can quite often be deceiving. I can see from everyones point of view. If you look at the picture below where you are leading her, the width between her front legs is quite wide, so it makes her look more hw. In the one where her head is down next to the trailer the neck line and top shoulders make her look quite fine.

Based on the descriptions that I have read on here chunky would only be classed as a lightweight. I always thought chunky was a mw/hw.

http://www.newrider.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=273&pictureid=2072

This one makes him look finer boned. Down his neck line.
http://www.newrider.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=273&pictureid=2070

http://www.newrider.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=273&pictureid=2066

[gordysgirl]

Gosh you opened a can of worms there..I think she is gorgeous..and looks pretty cob like to me...

[ellemunster]

my sister and I have owened two full breed sec d's in the past, and a hackney cross cob, and another cob cross, and I would definitely say your girl is a cob! she is absolutely stunning and you will make people's jaws drop in the showring!

[loziasa]

welll............

Funny you should say that! I went to the show today and as usual spent hourrrsss getting her ready and I wasn't placed, again!!!! I did everything everyone told me to do, and my friend who shows at county level said I did a lovely trot up. I made him take her in the ridden coloured too and again, nothing! :( I don't think we are cut out for this showing malarky :(

I don't even mind not getting placed its just that I put so much work in to get her all lovely and shiny and its all for nothing :( I am shattered! Maybe I should try the jumping, that doesn't go on judges opinion!

Here are some piccys, tell me what you think ..........

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/DSC00209.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/DSC00211.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/DSC00212.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/DSC00215.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/DSC00217.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/DSC00219.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk158/loziasa/DSC00220.jpg

May I just point out, the coloured you can see in the far left of the last pic was lined up 8th out of 8 in the in hand coloured, and I was lined up 7th :S:S:S hmmmmmmmm?????

[rtk]

I know I'm going to get shot down here BUT

Even if a horse is the correct type it doesn't mean its a good example of that type.

Showing is a lot more than how pretty and turnout.

I think people have already commented on the fact that her confirmation isn't perfect. That aside we cant see on here how she moves. A lot of the marks in a showing class will go on that.

Have you asked the judges why she is doing so badly, most dont mind and will give you helpful comments and you will get some idea whether its worth continuing. Try a few different ones.

If she's never going to do well in cob or coloured classes why not try some different ones.

From your pics you should have won tack and turnout :D, what about riding club horse, family horse, equitation. Non of those go on how true to type the horse is.

If she jumps why not try the working hunter, they are only partly the judges opinion, you have to get round a course of jumps as well :D.

[mogadoga]

PERSONALLY (and remember judges go on personal opinion) id like to see something with more substance and bone, but of corse i have not seen her action. BUT dont give up, my 16hh cob with 9.5" bone and to me, no chest! gets 1st one day, and nothing the next. Like i said, its all personal opinion, ask the judge what they thought also, might give you some ideas if you feel in a rut. But well done anyway!!!!

[lorna01]

Aw my GOD!!! This is a bloody controvertial thread.

Dont give up on showing just because a judge didnt like your horse, there are plenty of judges that will (Ishow a pure bred arab and a lot of judges dont like them)

For local level she is absolutly fine for a cob type (not quite a traditional cob but I would never take anything off for local...she is far too pretty for that)
For affiliated I dont think shed fit in very well but local is another matter. (I once went to a show on my arab and entered a hunter class along with an Andalucian just coz there were no other entries, yeah I got second but that just because an andalucian is slightly heavier than an arab and thus slightly more like a hunter he he)

Dont worry about it, just keep trying, some judges have their winners picked out before they even enter the ring...You just gotta hold your head up high and have another go...

ITS SUPOSED TO BE FUN ISNT IT???

The mare is absolutly gorgeous by the way..a real stunner and I cant see why you'd get chucked out of a local cob class.

Enjoy it!!XX

[Jillybean]

Agree 100% with RTK.

I really, truly honestly think you would do better if you trimmed her and plaited her up - if showing (even at local level) is your thing you will only get disheartened at being at the wrong end of the line up again and again.

I am not going to point out her faults and flaws on a public forum but I am quite happy to give you my opinion (privately) on what you could do with her to try and improve your placings.

[loziasa]

So what exactly is wrong with her confirmation? I wouldn't dare to trim her and plait her, she had a pulled mane when I got her and she looked awful it didn't suit her at all :) She looked horrid :S

[kat1]

I think she is lovely. Have you not shown her in a coloured class? Where in Manchester are you? We are in Southpoort and go to a show near Preston which has a general coloureds class with loads like yours (but not as nice:)

[Jillybean]

Loziasa there is nothing badly wrong with her at all but there are areas in which you could improve her greatly. As I said I will not put down someone elses horse on a public forum but am quite happy to give you MY opinion/advice on her and what I think you could do to help.

[TaffAme]

Hi there.

Firstly, your mare is stunning - I adore her! Secondly, I cannot believe that people think that she isn't a cob - to me, she clearly is a lightweight cob.

I was just wondering whether you show her in-hand or ridden? To me, she looks stunning and therefore the only reason there may be that she isn't being placed may be some fault in her ridden/in hand performance. Showing isn't always ONLY about looks - the horse obviously needs to respond to ridden/in-hand signals well too. Maybe you've just been beaten by other horses who bend 'better', strike off into canter/trot 'better', etc. Notice I've put 'better' into quotations because I'm not saying this is definitely the case - I'm sure she moves excellently and you probably ride her beautifully. All I'm pointing out is that showing classes aren't always only on looks.

Just something else to consider, I suppose. Good luck with the showing in future, keep working at it because she's a little stunner! You'll get there in the end!

[lorna01]

Hi there.

Firstly, your mare is stunning - I adore her! Secondly, I cannot believe that people think that she isn't a cob - to me, she clearly is a lightweight cob.

I was just wondering whether you show her in-hand or ridden? To me, she looks stunning and therefore the only reason there may be that she isn't being placed may be some fault in her ridden/in hand performance. Showing isn't always ONLY about looks - the horse obviously needs to respond to ridden/in-hand signals well too. Maybe you've just been beaten by other horses who bend 'better', strike off into canter/trot 'better', etc. Notice I've put 'better' into quotations because I'm not saying this is definitely the case - I'm sure she moves excellently and you probably ride her beautifully. All I'm pointing out is that showing classes aren't always only on looks.

Just something else to consider, I suppose. Good luck with the showing in future, keep working at it because she's a little stunner! You'll get there in the end!

Echo that, (turnout of rider and handler is also very inportant) But remember everyone can improve, I dont think there would be any point in training, competing and even owning a horse if we couldnt improve.

Good luck, just keep trying

[sancho]

Shes lovely. If you are showing at local level then just go and enjoy and if you get placed great. If you dont then remember it comes down to the judges personal opinion as much as anything.

My own personal opinion (for what it worth) is that if you need to trim and hog to get anywhere in showing, dont show!:p

She looks happy and a picture of health. Have fun!


p.s. defo a cob! :D

[BIrish]

I know I'm going to get shot down here BUT

Even if a horse is the correct type it doesn't mean its a good example of that type.

Showing is a lot more than how pretty and turnout.

I think people have already commented on the fact that her confirmation isn't perfect. That aside we cant see on here how she moves. A lot of the marks in a showing class will go on that.

Have you asked the judges why she is doing so badly, most dont mind and will give you helpful comments and you will get some idea whether its worth continuing. Try a few different ones.

If she's never going to do well in cob or coloured classes why not try some different ones.

From your pics you should have won tack and turnout :D, what about riding club horse, family horse, equitation. Non of those go on how true to type the horse is.

If she jumps why not try the working hunter, they are only partly the judges opinion, you have to get round a course of jumps as well :D.


*Applaudes* .. agree 100%.

Confirmation/turnout/attractiveness aside.. Your mare is really lovely.. but I would class her as a Vanner.. or cob-type..

There is a world of difference between horses with the description cob depending on what you are doing. I wouldn't see your girl, lovely as she is, in a show cob class.. Have a look at the BSHA gallery at the cobs.. worlds apart (and I don't mean in a bad or good way.. I mean different in bone, turnout etc etc) .. No reason you can't look for Trad classes for her though..

RTK gave you some very sensible advice there.. go, try some different classes but mostly enjoy.. :) ..

Local / smaller shows are always worth a punt for experimenting with classes... :D sometimes with surprising results.. My large hack was 3rd in a LW Hunter class on Sat :eek::D

[LindaAd]

*Applaudes* .. agree 100%.

Confirmation/turnout/attractiveness aside.. Your mare is really lovely.. but I would class her as a Vanner.. or cob-type..

There is a world of difference between horses with the description cob depending on what you are doing. I wouldn't see your girl, lovely as she is, in a show cob class.. Have a look at the BSHA gallery at the cobs.. worlds apart (and I don't mean in a bad or good way.. I mean different in bone, turnout etc etc) .. No reason you can't look for Trad classes for her though..

R

I think she's lovely, but maybe more of a riding club or hunter type. My feeling is that ideally a cob should be a little more compact (shorter neck, shorter back), but I'm no sort of expert. I don't show either - it's too dependent on a judge's personal opinion, and I don't like all the standing around. But if you enjoy it, I'd say go for it, and ask the judge's advice whenever you can.

How big is your mare, by the way? It could be that she's too big or too small for cob classes (if you've already told us, I'm sorry ).

[loziasa]

Thanks everyone for all the tips, I am doing my best to improve and we seem to be steadily getting somewhere so thanks for that!

She is 15.3hh so I am not sure what difference that makes!

I have been taking her in the in hand coloured and I was debating to go into the in hand or even ridden cob class, but I didn't do at the last show as there was a clash.

I am building up our schooling work and flatwork to try and get her a bit more balanced and moving a bit more freely, and it seems to be improving, so fingers crossed I will suck it up and take her into the ridden class myself! :)

[JOJOBA]

The size will also count against you as she's a little oversized for a show cob, and apparently traditionals are favoured when smaller.

So long as you have fun together just keep showing her as whatever you like :)

xxx