Is it possible for the misfit-sized horse to be competitive in the hunter or derby ring?
Stride and scope are not an issue, but the horse is a solid 15h. If he was 2 inches shorter, he’d be a pony finals pony that could be competitive in the best of company.
Most of the time, a 15.3 horse is “small” in the hunter world — do we think that a 15h horse with a petite rider that “fits” would be less favored in the ring against 17h giants?
If you truly have THE WINNER and a rider that is sized appropriately and you find perfect distances, sure. But I think the hony sticks out, so you better be flawless. But yes, if you truly had Rox Dene in a tiny package being ridden by a very small person, I don’t think judges would discriminate against the hony. The problem is… very few horses are truly that nice. When you make a mistake on a horse that sticks out (hony, pinto, off breed type) it really stands out.
Often, the issue that makes the hony less competitive against the large horses is that the hony may have the step, but for some that I’ve seen it often looks like they are galloping to get down the lines where the larger horses make it look effortless. On the flip side the hony may jump better at some of the lower fence heights than the larger horses. But they can rarely make it look as effortless and that’s a differentiating factor in the judges’ eyes. If they can truly make it look as easy as the larger horses then there is no reason they wouldn’t be competitive.
:lol::lol:
I’m about to get a very talented Hony myself (plus she’s a Paint :lol:). I am not planning on being competitive in the big AA shows, though. I’m getting her because she’s cute, sane, fun, and sweet, but not because she’s going to be my next partner at Devon.
I think it all depends on what your goals are, which is really what so many of these questions land on.
If you’re truly looking to be competitive, it’s not impossible, but you’re stacking the odds against you. If you’re just looking to show locally or have fun, or if you have the funds to show at a high level and keep your goals centered around your personal performance and not the ribbons, then it’s not as important.
It is possible. But lots more than most other variables have to happen. Step, scope, talent, brain and talent of rider among a few. Showing and being competitive in the small juniors is a plus too since he is among horses close to his height
Boy do I wish I had the 21 century Rox Dene! But even in comparison, Rox Dene was not a hony-sized equine @ 15.3. Small, yes, but not an oversized pony in a horse-sized ring.
But I completely agree that when you stand out, it’s either on a very positive or negative way. I supposed that’s part of the elure of the hunter ring - chasing the ever desired “look”.
What divisions are you looking to show him in? I have a barely 15.2 gelding who is competitive at the local As in the 2’6" divisions. He has the step and a cute jump at that height…he wouldn’t be competitive in the 3’ but holds his own against the bigger warmbloods in the 2’6".
It also helps that I’m only 5’2" and look appropriately sized on him, his size may stand out more with a taller rider.
Depends on what height you are asking about. It would be freakish for a 15h horse to get a 14’+ stride on a 4’+ Derby course. Small 3’6" Juniors may only compete against other Small Juniors but the height and step are the same and those are some big a*s combinations. Plus they get combined with Larges all the time at anything but this mega circuit shows.
Where and what have you been showing the horse in? Do you have video of it doing a Hunter course of at least 3’ and a AA rated with combinations? What kind of scores do you typically get ?
Cant say whether it would be competitive or not without seeing a video or knowing what it’s currently showing in and how it’s doing.
Honestly…go to the Pony Finals and take a look around. If the horse is truly 15h, he would look right at home in the Large Pony division. Maybe that’s another option.
Well, let’s see. A 14.2 hand mustang mare took home the championship in the .80 jumpers at the Evergreen Classic, which is an AA show, a couple of years ago.
OP said “hunters or derby,” both subjectively scored.
Not puddle jumpers, which is objectively scored.
15 hands is the best size! (Hony lover here, I have two- both showed in the jumpers)
But that said, it would be a stretch for a hony to be truly competitive in the [open] derbies.
There are some smaller horses, 15.2 range, that are very competitive in the small Juniors. But if stride and scope REALLY are no issue, it’s possible you’ll be able to hold your own in a sea of huge beasts.
Okay, I guess I didn’t read that part. My bad.
Is this a possible resale project? I remember you were recently asking about resale. If so, I imagine you’d have to do a lot more “proving” at the shows before you get good offers - not many rated-level buyers are going to give a hony prospect the same consideration they’ll give an otherwise-equal 16 hh prospect. Plus your pool of appropriately-sized riders is smaller to start. You would probably need to market to eventing homes as well (or straight dressage) as those are often friendlier to smaller mounts.
If it’s not for resale and just for you, sounds like it could be fun!
We have a small hunter division in my zone. They show at 3’- maybe something to consider?
This was my thought. The right BNT will get one measured.
Not resale on this one. Would be one to just have fun with!
I agree @LovesHorses and @LaurieB, it could probably get done with tricks, among other things 
Neat project, then. Just make sure you enjoy that kind of ride - someone mentioned above that the “normal” 12-ft stride may look like it’s hustling to get down the lines compared to the 14-ft giant warmblood stride. In my experience it feels like it too. I used to ride a perfectly capable small-ish horse (15.2?) with a “true” 12-ft stride and if it didn’t feel like I was galloping, especially over 2’6" courses, I wasn’t actually on the step. Which was fine, it’s great to learn to ride lots of different kinds of horses. Just had to learn to work with it. It gives you a few less options than the (adjustable) 14-ft stride. And I will say that if that guy was a bit fresh at a show, it could be very “exciting” to have to go gallop the course anyway. But we had fun and won ribbons at local shows.
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