in-hand showing - blemish or not?

[beth2304]

Hi

I have a Dartmoor youngster & am doing in-hand showing this year. Unfortunately he has a large rope burn under his fetlock (got caught up in his leadrope & panicked) which is healing & has scabbed over, but I am entered into a show this weekend. It is a large agricultural show, not quite county level but almost.

Should I still go? Would it be seen as a blemish - albeit a temporary one? Or should I stay at home? What would the judge think - Not sure of the etiquette.....

I would quite like to go for his experience, but don't want to embarrass myself or him!

[galadriel]

I'm afraid my knowledge about showing could be contained in a thimble with room to spare...

But is there any way you can enter just for the experience, without being considered in the judging? If it's only temporary, and what you're really looking for is a chance to get you two some experience, perhaps you could enter as a non-competitor.

No idea if you can do that showing :) but it's a thought.

[Tor&Warrior]

I've taken my various horses which I've shown to some pretty big shows, although not county but qualifiers for pcuk etc with cuts, scrapes, and chunks and bits missing!! Especially Warrior, was absolutley awful for hurting him self right before a show, you could rely on him! I always still went and never had any obvious comments from judges or noticed that they counted it in the judging. If its obviously an injury which nobody could do anything about and will disapear I wouldn't think they'd be botherd. It may effect his final placing, especially if the standard of the class is very high but if you are going partly for the experience and don't mind that he might not be placed because of it I say definetley still go! It certainly wont be frowned upon that he has entered, I doubt the judges will really be bothered. Or not in my experience of showing anyway. Good luck, hope you have a good time!

[Gemma16]

I agree with tor, Taff too ( like warrior, these welsh cobs:rolleyes: ) Has a nack of getting cuts right before shows, last year he had a perfect hoof print on his shoulder at a big show and we won the class.

I think if its clear that the injury is only temporary the judge should take it into consideration that its not a confirmation fault.

I would go and if the judge marks him down for it..its just sods law. Good luck anyway and enjoy yourself:D

[Miriam]

You may get marked down for the blemish depending on the judge. As Rhi is only cross i can't enter the bigger shows but do ake her to the local ride an drive club show every year. I go knowing that she can be marked down as she has one wall eye

[Mehitabel]

you shouldn't go showing with an open wound on a horse. if it's a healing scar though, then i'd go anyway - chances ar the judge won;t even notice, and given it's clearly an injury and not a comformational fault-type blemish then i doubt it'd make a difference unless the judge was havign a job deciding between 2 ponies - it might be a tie-breaker.

[larri]

How do sarcoids fit in with this - I had finally plucked up the courage to enter Safi in the Luso Breed show this year and bingo up come five sarcoids like magic - Would I at least be able to enter performance as opposed to breed classes??

[Kanuma]

if the horse isnt lame and the cut is healing, then i would take him, i took stan to the angelesy county with no hair due to sweet-itch (in a M&M class) and got the reserve champion, judges know that horses are accident prone and only tend to look at things like that for tie breakers

[beth2304]

Thanks for all the replies, looks like we are still going to the party....!

Beth & Norman the Dartmoor