Show cob classes help, advice, tips?

I have a lovely 14.3hh mare (see pic) who I got in November last year, I really love to get into showing, show cob side of it (as you can see she is hogged feathers removed) but I never done showing before (everything else but lol)





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So what will be expected of us in the ring, what we I have to do





any hints tips or advice you can give on how to go that extra mile and will help us??





thanksShow cob classes help, advice, tips?
I can't see your picture as you have to be logged in, but I can tell you something for nothing - your mare will have to have good bone to get on in cob classes. A lightweight cob (which she is, as she's under 15.1h) has to have at least 8 inches of quality bone and must be able to carry up to 14 stone. You may find that your mare is quite a bit smaller than the other cobs in the ring - ';not to exceed 15.1h'; in showing does tend to mean ';full up 15.1'; but don't let it put you off; a good animal is a good animal regardless of size.





Hogged is correct, you'll have to keep her trimmed and tidy. You should wear a hacking jacket with a shirt and tie, long boots, and beige/buff breeches. To show off the shoulder you'd do well in a fairly straight cut saddle (there are some very good brands of show and working hunter saddles) it's not essential but it does improve the picture. The bridle should be quite heavy set (chunky pieces of leather) to show off her head correctly - if the leather is too fine the head can look ungainly.





A cob should have good manners with little fuss - any hot or fizzy behaviour in the ring is not on. They should be fairly level headed yet still have enough presence to attract attention in the ring. You will have to do a walk, trot and canter with the others in the class, then the judge will pull you in order of merit. You'll then have to do an individual show - in some cases you'll be told exactly what to do, in others you'll have to work the ring yourself, it just depends on the judge. In either case you need to show WTC on both reins and an extension (gallop) on one.





Cob classes can be quite hotly contested so definitely get into local level before trying your hand at any BSHA (British Show Horse Association - previously the British Show Hack, Cob and Riding Horse Association) affiliated classes. These classes are filled with top riders and producers and can be quite intimidating so do your groundwork at local level as you're new to showing.Show cob classes help, advice, tips?
She looks gorgeous, and could easily get some wins - lovely conformation.





What you will have to do in the ring depends on what kind of class you enter. I cannot give help for US, but here in UK, most ridden classes require a walk, trot and possibly canter whilst following other competitors, then an individual show, where you can do any combination of movements to show off the horse, though in local shows, this is usually just a walk trot and canter on both legs, and some circles. Individual show usually requires you to salute the judge also (!) which means performing a square halt in front of them at the end or beginning of your movements, and nod, drop one hand off the reins.





For in-hand classes, you would lead her in a show bridle, in walk and trot.





Both types of class would also require a close up examination of your horse by the judge. If she has any bumps on her legs, windgalls etc, she may not be the type for showing. She also needs to be scrupulously clean (an issue for me when I owned a piebald/paint cob!)





Some classes also require more, such as doing a round of jumps, but this will usually be stated on the info for that class, on the show leaflet (you can get adds and info on shows from local saddleries and horsey shops, as well as commercial stables and online.)





I hope that helps you some, but what I have learnt I have learnt purely through local experience in the UK, so if you live in the US or are planning on getting into very high class showing, you cant trust me on all of it!