Should we look at some in-hand classes with Pablo?

[Esther.D]

Poor Stephen has had a heck of a lot to put up with in the last couple of years - he waited all his life for a horse...and his first horse turned out unrideable :( Now we are really getting somewhere with Pablo, but I just wondered whether it was worth trying to get him out somewhere..to a local show or something..in an in-hand class. This would broaden Pablo's experience and would also give Stephen some kind of achievement (even if unplaced..the achievement of getting him out there) as a small boost in recognition for the work put in over the last couple of years.

Pablo is very quiet and easy to handle and extremely bombproof so I would not expect any real problems in a small show situation. He is a handsome chap with a lovely action.

What do people think, and what could a hairy heavyweight hunter or overgrown cob ;) enter?(he is somewhere between 16hh-16.2hh) Bearing in mind we are talking tiny local show here, not county show:D He has a mane down to his chest, a forelock right down his nose and full feathers, hogging is not an option.....We have no history but he is certainly a draught horse X of some kind, possibly Clydesdale as he has started developing a pale underbelly to go with his blaze and knee-high socks ;)

Or is taking him out of his usual environment a bad idea until we have got further with his training? His ground handling is brilliant and well established, he is a gentle giant, so I don't see a problem ... but am I missing something? I don't want to risk setting them back at all.

If anyone doesn't know him, his pic is on our website which appears at the bottom of the post.

[Mehitabel]

might as well try it! you can always go, not enter anything and see how he copes, and then late enter if he is OK. also practice with someoen he doesn't know well looking at him and inspecting him.

as for classes - you'd probably be best sticking for the time being to fun ones like handsomest gelding, horse the judge would most like to take home etc. less stress than a real one, so pablo won't be picking up nerves from stephen or the other competitors. then there's potential driving horse, riding club type, cob type etc.

[Esther.D]

Thats a good idea Es, I was hoping you would reply;) I have not been in a show situation for so many years (since I was in pony club..) that I forgot that you can enter some on the day. That would give us the chance to see what he is behaving like before we commit ourselves:)

[Tootsie4U]

Those classes sound like fun! And Es is right, it would definately make it less stressful I bet!

I agree, I say go for it. You never know, it could be the start of something beautiful :D

[Showjumper]

YES! He's such a handsome boy - I bet he'd do really well :D

[Miriam]

Go for it. I wanted to do local shows with Rhi as she is a Welsh X with no papers there is not a lot she can do. However I netered her last year for Fence House Ride and Drive to broaden her experience of life and have entered again this year along with Kito to broaden his horizon before he gets thrown into the deeper end of the pool. Hoping to get Rhi's cart there this year :D

[CityGirl]

As a vocal member of Pablo's fan club:D , I definitely vote YES! He's such a handsome beast - why not get him out there?! And as Es said, you can just take him to the show & then enter him if he's behaving. If not, its still good experience to get him out there...