So by this logic, because other people are cheating by showing animals that are too large for the division, that makes it okay?
OP, if he’s got the step, I’m in the camp of going for it and having fun!
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I’m pretty sure one of the horses Taylor Bodson (theecequestrian on ig) shows in the 3’6 AOs is only 15.1. If the horse is fancy, has the step, and you enjoy riding it… go for it! I had a VERY successful AA/AO hunter that was all of 15.2. She was broad and round but certainly not tall. It never hurt us.
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The current measurement system allows what it allows. A two minute stroll around pony finals will reveal that the majority of the ponies showing there do not appear to be their official measured height. It doesn’t matter whether or not I agree with that–as long as the USEF thinks it’s fine. Their opinion matters much more than mine does.
Back in the dark ages when I was showing ponies, my large pony was 14.0 1/4. People who knew me (and her) then, and who are judging now have told me that if Pride was currently showing, she would be measured as a medium pony. That’s how the system works now–and again, my approval or disapproval is moot.
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Buy the hony, leave the hunter ring and go eventing.
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I have trouble remembering an 8-jump course on occasion. There is not chance I could ride a dressage test :lol:
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My 15.2h warmblood did decent at local A shows in 2’3"-2’6" hunters this year with prominent judges (Diane Carney loved him!). Over fences, I felt like we held our own. Under saddle his height maybe played a factor in no placings (but there were certainly other, probably bigger, reasons for not placing in those classes). I’m quite an amateur rider and he’s young in his first year of showing with no pro rides.
I think a lot of what you should be honest about is what shows and what classes you want to compete in and the type of competition you’ll be facing. If you want to consistently be in top 3 at 3’6" at the biggest AA shows, then perhaps a hony isn’t the best choice. However, if you like this horse, click well with him/her and want to be reasonably competitive against other amateurs at A and some AA shows, then I think you can with the right 15h horse. Just a matter of what YOU want most (IMHO) 
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I think a video would provide a lot of clarity on if this is a real prospect or not.
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And then there was the measurement fiasco where they randomly started showing up and remeasuring ponies. Many tears and pissed off parents abound. Ponies now honies, smalls now mediums, mediums now larges, much money lost over bad measurements. It’s a bad game with no winners.
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haha I hear you… I have high hopes for the future of honys… I know so many women who are now looking for smaller horses. Grant you most of them are over 45… haha
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You get time to memorize the dressage test! You can practice it/learn it months in advance and it’ll be the same test every time, until you move up!
Also, you can have a caller, so you don’t actually have to have it memorized even
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I have one. I :think: she is 15 hands, it would be a stretch for her to be 15.1, but I haven’t measured her with a stick. I think a very fancy 15.2 could be competitive in the smalls, but 15 hands is tough. I think most of them are pretty close to 16 hands or over.
I am not sure what mine will do. She is fancy and just started cantering little jumps. Has all the parts to be a competitive A hunter IF she were taller. Super mover, super jump and very pretty. I hope by some miracle she gets to 15.2 but I’m not hopeful since she is 4 now.
She will go out with me and do baby greens this year since she has to do something…but I am skeptical about the ability to be competitive at that size even with all the jump and step, especially with mega-ammy me in the tack. She is too small for any pro I could think of to ride anyhow.
I will say it has been a lightbulb moment riding her at 5’2", I suddenly realise how easy it is to have a great feeling leg and now know what it’s like for everyone else on normal sized horses. I am trying to go on a diet since I think it would be a better picture if I were even smaller. lol
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My best 3’ Adult Hunter sticked at 15.3. At the top AA levels, she was a nickel short of the best but competitive for the pastels , an occasional blue and some Rsv Chs. At bigger locals we were very competitive and in the Red, Blue and Ch hunt. However we could not make any mistakes, Usually scored 80-82 but the best we’re nearer 90. Think my highest score was an 89 at a big AA show and we were, as usual, smallest horse in the class ( only TB too but looked Dutch). Just looked like she was working harder then the bigger ones according to many judges. In indoor arenas, it was much harder as the walls sort of back most of them off and it takes a bit off the stride. I stayed outside mostly. Big rings.
While at 15.3 she could get around 3’6" making the numbers, never really competitive. Just not as flowing. I agreed when I watched my videos.
Anyway, can’t say if OPs horse would be competitive because can’t see OPs horse or any videos of it Jumping a course at any height. Only then can anybody know. You cant tell for sure without seeing at least a good trot and canter on the flat and even that just hints at possibilities. Need to jump a course.
Appreciate the conversation around the topic! Love to find fellow hony-lovers out there
The idea of the post was more general than a specific question of whether 1 specific hony can be competitive in XYZ division on the A circuit.
A lot of people are pointing out their 15.2/15.3 hand horses as examples. I think there is a BIG difference btw that and a true hony at 15 hands. For me the 2" difference from 15 hands to 15.2 is way more than 16 to 16.2
15 hands feels really really small compared to 15.3 to me to ride
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Completely agree 
I’ll second the suggestion to event! I still learn my dressage tests just like I would a course - I can’t tell you what letter is where, I just learn the pattern. Biggest problem I have right now with my 15.0h mare is leaving strides out- even at prelim:) (& she’s plenty successful - she was in the top 3 every time out last season except for our first prelim where we were 4th)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213399823404208&set=pb.1058139188.-2207520000.1548883415.&type=3&theater
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