Picking a Show Horse
Well, picking a horse you would like to show is easy! But! Picking a SUCCESSFUL show horse can be very tricky, and there are different elements that may effect your horses chances at consistent success even under some discriminating judges. There is a lot of trial and error involved, but when you finally hit the mark it is such an incredible feeling. Let's take a look at how to take your horses and make them as successful as possible!.
!!!! IMPORTANT !!!! your horse's first class will bring success or failure. As a rule I do not judge a horse's ability to win until I've shown them 3 to 5 times with no success (or with consistent success) before I write them off as a dud or a champion. Do NOT sell your horse if he doesn't place the first time out! It can be any number of things holding the horse back. It may be as simple as an incorrect breed placement or as complex as overspray or a rub.
Understanding how Judges judge
Now, you will run into unfair or bias judges. Sometimes it's the norm to find at the local NAN qualifying shows that the judges only pin things they think are cute or pretty. Or what have their friend's initials on the tags. But a good judge at a NAN qualifying show should judge based on the same qualifications that the judges at the North American Nationals do. For Halter, a NAN judge must judge by these classifications IN THIS ORDER:
These are the standards that the judges at the yearly national shows are held to... pulled directly from the NAN 2012 handbook/show packet. So, knowing this, it's very important we take a look at a model and try to place it in the best class based on this criteria because if we make it to the Nationals we want to have a fighting chance at success. We are going to walk through these criteria one by one.
- Correctness of anatomy, biomechanics, conformation.
- Breed standards including color that represents current (or historic with documentation) standards.
- Overall appearance, finish, condition, workmanship.
- Judge’s overall impression.
These are the standards that the judges at the yearly national shows are held to... pulled directly from the NAN 2012 handbook/show packet. So, knowing this, it's very important we take a look at a model and try to place it in the best class based on this criteria because if we make it to the Nationals we want to have a fighting chance at success. We are going to walk through these criteria one by one.
Correctness of Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Conformation
For this example, and for the duration of this criteria we are going to be examining the best pick for a Thoroughbred in the model horse show ring. To the left is a Thoroughbred stallion. Thoroughbreds vary only slightly in head shape, bone density, and muscularity. When picking a model to represent a Thoroughbred, it's best to look through many pictures of Thoroughbreds to find a happy medium. You can find many reference pictures through Thoroughbred breeding barns (like Three Chimneys in Kentucky) to find the ideal body type. In some cases, the current racers are a lot leaner than the retired studs. Below are images of Thoroughbred Stallions (and two mares at the bottom. It is remarkably difficult to get a good mare picture!) that showcase the diversity in build
And some different head shapes are present, too (the bottom two are mares):
So, from these pictures we can see the diversity in the head shapes, particularly between the stallions on the top row and the mares on the bottom.
So from here, we have a pretty good feel for the breed and what to look for in the build of the model we pick to represent the breed. So, lets look at some common choices for Thoroughbreds in Breyers.
So from here, we have a pretty good feel for the breed and what to look for in the build of the model we pick to represent the breed. So, lets look at some common choices for Thoroughbreds in Breyers.
No, No, No. Very bad choices.
I've thankfully not seen a single one of these horses in the show ring recently. After looking at our Thoroughbreds above, it's easy to see why these don't work.
The horse on the left "Touch of Class" has a long pencil neck, crooked legs and club feet, and a very overly tiny. She certainly does not seem like she'd be a very healthy horse if she were living... let alone a good thoroughbred. Her anatomy is poor, her conformation is poor, and her biomechanics are... well, not poor... but bad.
The horse in the middle "Man O War" has a very awkward shoulder and most puzzling of all is his elongated and dramatized hip. His face isn't bad for a Thoroughbred. But still when looking at biomechanics that hip would NOT function if this was a real horse. It throws off the conformation and anatomy.
The horse on the right, "Race Horse" has little to no definition in his muscles, and no curvature to his back. Additionally, his hind legs are too "under" him, causing him to be parked under slightly. So again, this horse in reality would be really ouchie and the lack of muscle definition doesn't hold him to a Thoroughbred very well.
The horse on the left "Touch of Class" has a long pencil neck, crooked legs and club feet, and a very overly tiny. She certainly does not seem like she'd be a very healthy horse if she were living... let alone a good thoroughbred. Her anatomy is poor, her conformation is poor, and her biomechanics are... well, not poor... but bad.
The horse in the middle "Man O War" has a very awkward shoulder and most puzzling of all is his elongated and dramatized hip. His face isn't bad for a Thoroughbred. But still when looking at biomechanics that hip would NOT function if this was a real horse. It throws off the conformation and anatomy.
The horse on the right, "Race Horse" has little to no definition in his muscles, and no curvature to his back. Additionally, his hind legs are too "under" him, causing him to be parked under slightly. So again, this horse in reality would be really ouchie and the lack of muscle definition doesn't hold him to a Thoroughbred very well.
Getting Warmer....
These horses would be better choices for Thoroughbreds, but each have their own faults. However, some judges still pin these models high (sometimes more so due to being fond of vintage molds), even against our final category of horses. Most of the time the final category of horses win due to having better detail in each category. Here's a break down:
The horse on the left, "Secretariat" is an older mold so detail on his muscles isn't as well defined as the detail on the newer models. He has a very classic Thoroughbred look, but some think his feet are too "petite" to pass in anatomy/conformation.
The horse in the middle, "Hobo" is another older one that suffers the same issues as Secretariat in that he has less satisfactory or correct muscle details and also suffers from hoof critique. This time, his hooves appear more club footed and crooked in the angles, holding him back in biomechanics as well.
The horse on the right, "Smarty Jones" Is a very good looking mold-- but some consider his build to be far too "stocky" for a proper thoroughbred. It is arguable, and he still pins well among Thoroughbreds, but unfortunately too many people see him as a Quarter Horse since "word spread". I think a lot of it has to do with his pose. The action causing his muscles in his haunches to tighten giving him the appearance of a stock horse in the rear. His head is still Thoroughbred-y.
The horse on the left, "Secretariat" is an older mold so detail on his muscles isn't as well defined as the detail on the newer models. He has a very classic Thoroughbred look, but some think his feet are too "petite" to pass in anatomy/conformation.
The horse in the middle, "Hobo" is another older one that suffers the same issues as Secretariat in that he has less satisfactory or correct muscle details and also suffers from hoof critique. This time, his hooves appear more club footed and crooked in the angles, holding him back in biomechanics as well.
The horse on the right, "Smarty Jones" Is a very good looking mold-- but some consider his build to be far too "stocky" for a proper thoroughbred. It is arguable, and he still pins well among Thoroughbreds, but unfortunately too many people see him as a Quarter Horse since "word spread". I think a lot of it has to do with his pose. The action causing his muscles in his haunches to tighten giving him the appearance of a stock horse in the rear. His head is still Thoroughbred-y.
Yes! Great Choices!
These are the horses I consistently see pinning in the 1st and 2nd positions at shows. I also see these horses taking the OF NAN classes as well. So these are excellent choices to represent your Thoroughbred.
The horse on the left, "Ruffian" boggles me. I see the same bone and thickness in her that I do in Smarty Jones. But what a difference the pose makes. Since she's elongated her haunches don't appear as bunched and she gets a free pass. Poor Smarty Jones! But, she has a lean build with good bone in her legs and a beautiful head. Her hooves look okay (with the exception of the one on the ground. It has more heel than the others) and her musculature is very correct for her pose. I personally like Strapless more than Ruffian for a female Thoroughbred but I'm going with what I've seen prove successful in the show ring and at NAN. Plus, I guess there -are- thicker Thoroughbreds out there (as I made mention of before, older horses being much heavier than their younger still-racing counterparts).
The horse in the middle, "Lonesome Glory" is the most popular "non running" choice in Thoroughbreds. He has a little bit of rib showing, same as the on-the-track race horses do. His muzzle seems squared off to me, but overall his head is very sporty and his neck and shoulder are very correct when compared to the race horses. Great musculature and detail, and nice legs and hooves. All in all, a great choice. To me, he is like a standing version of Strapless.
The horse on the right, "Cigar" is by far the most popular choice in the show ring for thoroughbreds. I consistently see him pinning high anywhere from local shows to NAN. VERY lean unlike Ruffian. Ruffian is in a similar stretch and still has a lot of meat on her bones. Cigar, however, is showing GORGEOUS musculature, amazing details, lean thin legs, great hooves and angles and a perfect thoroughbred head. My favorite choice for Thoroughbreds.
The horse on the left, "Ruffian" boggles me. I see the same bone and thickness in her that I do in Smarty Jones. But what a difference the pose makes. Since she's elongated her haunches don't appear as bunched and she gets a free pass. Poor Smarty Jones! But, she has a lean build with good bone in her legs and a beautiful head. Her hooves look okay (with the exception of the one on the ground. It has more heel than the others) and her musculature is very correct for her pose. I personally like Strapless more than Ruffian for a female Thoroughbred but I'm going with what I've seen prove successful in the show ring and at NAN. Plus, I guess there -are- thicker Thoroughbreds out there (as I made mention of before, older horses being much heavier than their younger still-racing counterparts).
The horse in the middle, "Lonesome Glory" is the most popular "non running" choice in Thoroughbreds. He has a little bit of rib showing, same as the on-the-track race horses do. His muzzle seems squared off to me, but overall his head is very sporty and his neck and shoulder are very correct when compared to the race horses. Great musculature and detail, and nice legs and hooves. All in all, a great choice. To me, he is like a standing version of Strapless.
The horse on the right, "Cigar" is by far the most popular choice in the show ring for thoroughbreds. I consistently see him pinning high anywhere from local shows to NAN. VERY lean unlike Ruffian. Ruffian is in a similar stretch and still has a lot of meat on her bones. Cigar, however, is showing GORGEOUS musculature, amazing details, lean thin legs, great hooves and angles and a perfect thoroughbred head. My favorite choice for Thoroughbreds.
So! Now that we've picked models that have exemplary conformation, anatomy, and biomechanics we will move on to the next step!
(Also, bear in mind I wanted to keep this as brief as possible. Other choices for Thoroughbreds that are popular are on the Strapless and Giselle Mold. Strapless being a better choice than Giselle. It's important to consider GENDER as well, when picking your show horses as mares have more feminine traits than the stallions. The way to cheat this entire section is to go to NAMHSA's website and look at the photographs of the champions as well as looking for pictures of the show tables at NAN. See what made it that far and see what's on the table for the breed. That'll give you a good basis to go off of for picking a mold for your Thoroughbred)
(Also, bear in mind I wanted to keep this as brief as possible. Other choices for Thoroughbreds that are popular are on the Strapless and Giselle Mold. Strapless being a better choice than Giselle. It's important to consider GENDER as well, when picking your show horses as mares have more feminine traits than the stallions. The way to cheat this entire section is to go to NAMHSA's website and look at the photographs of the champions as well as looking for pictures of the show tables at NAN. See what made it that far and see what's on the table for the breed. That'll give you a good basis to go off of for picking a mold for your Thoroughbred)
Breed standards including color that represents current, or historic with documentation, standards
Thanks to Sato going to the 2011 Breyerfest, more hobbyists are aware that purebred Thoroughbreds are not limited to Bay, Grey, Black, Brown, and Chestnut anymore.
When showing your Thoroughbred, make sure that he is correctly colored or patterned as a Thoroughbred. Check with the Jockey Club or other reputable Thoroughbred websites to determine what colors and patterns are present in the purebred Thoroughbred horse.
Sabino is, however, I'm not sure that Tobiano (another pinto pattern) is currently seen in the Thoroughbred. Palomino, Cremello, and Buckskin are all colors that have been documented officially on purebred Thoroughbreds. It is best advised to document any rare colors.
While certain pinto patterns are recognized, Appaloosa spots still are not. I'm unsure of roan as well. I like to stick to solid colors, as I like the classic style Thoroughbreds best. My Barbaro is my favorite show horse. But Sunday Silence may usurp him!
When showing your Thoroughbred, make sure that he is correctly colored or patterned as a Thoroughbred. Check with the Jockey Club or other reputable Thoroughbred websites to determine what colors and patterns are present in the purebred Thoroughbred horse.
Sabino is, however, I'm not sure that Tobiano (another pinto pattern) is currently seen in the Thoroughbred. Palomino, Cremello, and Buckskin are all colors that have been documented officially on purebred Thoroughbreds. It is best advised to document any rare colors.
While certain pinto patterns are recognized, Appaloosa spots still are not. I'm unsure of roan as well. I like to stick to solid colors, as I like the classic style Thoroughbreds best. My Barbaro is my favorite show horse. But Sunday Silence may usurp him!
Overall appearance, finish, condition, workmanship.
FINALLY we get to my favorite part! The condition of the model! In the spirit of keeping this brief, here are some of the things horses get dinged for in this category:
Dust/Dirt, Rubs, Overspray, Underspray, Crooked legs, Obvious seams, Seam splits, Bent ears, Messy eyes, Poorly masked markings (aka Overspray), Flat Shading, Poor Dappling, etc.
In some cases, the more complicated the model the worse it'll get dinged. Regular Runs get off a lot easier than the Connoisseur models, which have a higher risk of having sloppy features (such as eyes and dapples). Make sense? I hope so, lol! Though, a nice Connoisseur could blow away a Regular Run, so it may be worth the risk!
Dust/Dirt, Rubs, Overspray, Underspray, Crooked legs, Obvious seams, Seam splits, Bent ears, Messy eyes, Poorly masked markings (aka Overspray), Flat Shading, Poor Dappling, etc.
In some cases, the more complicated the model the worse it'll get dinged. Regular Runs get off a lot easier than the Connoisseur models, which have a higher risk of having sloppy features (such as eyes and dapples). Make sense? I hope so, lol! Though, a nice Connoisseur could blow away a Regular Run, so it may be worth the risk!
A closer look at common condition issues.
The picture on the left shows 3 standard finishing flaws. Rubs. The two lower ones are regular white rubs, while the top one is a black speck/mark on the finish.
The middle picture shows more common flaws. Section A shows "Underspray" which is when the masking goes over an area that was supposed to be colored... leaving the plastic unpainted and bare. Section B shows "Overspray" where the masking was loose or insufficient causing paint to get underneath it and creep into an area that wasn't supposed to be painted. Finally, C is another flaw. Debris was on the bare plastic and painted over causing there to be a raised spot on the back of her ear.
The picture on the right shows an example of minor Crooked Legs. You can see where the hooves on the first two horses are not flush with the ground. This is a flaw in the mold and something that judges do look at. The most common case of crooked legs is in horses like Cigar, whose front outstretched leg sometimes resembles a bent noodle. It's important to make sure your horse's cannon bones are as straight as possible. Bent ears have also been an issue recently with Breyer.
Additional points of interest when checking for condition would be to look for Knicks or Dents in the plastic. These are more prevalent on the older Chris Hess models that are being re-released.
Something that isn't as important as you'd think, is Facial Details, Carved Ears, etc. I've found some judges love added detail but for the most part it doesn't matter. My case in point is the Lady Phase mold. She is an older Chris Hess mold and lacks forelock detail and her ears are not only NOT carved but they actually seem to protrude from the middle! However, this mold consistently places at NAN Qualifying Shows as well as NAN. While the newer paint jobs do still seem to go further than the older ones because of the crisper markings.... the Lady Phase mold still holds her own. Lazy eye and all! I've seen the mold take Champion at NAN in at least one class every single year. Most of the time she takes multiple classes at the Nationals though. And this is when pitted against newer horses with nicer details, such as Smart Chic O'lena and Roxy.
Invisible Scratches are the bane of many OF collector's life. These are small scratches to the finish (not the paint) of a model that can be seen when you move a model around in the light. See the video below for a greater example if you're unsure what I'm referring to.
Sloppily Painted Eyes will damage your horse's overall score. So while it's nice to buy a hose that has actual tri-colored eyes, sometimes it can ruin their show career. I personally prefer the simple black eyes on Breyers.
Older models are judged on condition slightly differently than the newer ones Vintage Model Condition seems to get a pass on small things like ear rubs or a scratch to the finish. The judge takes into account that the model has been around for many, many more years than the newer ones, showing that great dedicated care has been taken to that model. In many cases, mint vintage horses don't exist anymore, so to find one with only ear rubs is impressive to a judge. But again, the judge should take previous factors on Anatomy and Breed Standards before pinning a vintage horse that looks nice!
In this video below, I went step for step through what makes a horse Live Show Quality. So you can see some of the flaws listed above in this video (as well as some redundant information! So, if you've got 15 minutes to blow, watch this!
The middle picture shows more common flaws. Section A shows "Underspray" which is when the masking goes over an area that was supposed to be colored... leaving the plastic unpainted and bare. Section B shows "Overspray" where the masking was loose or insufficient causing paint to get underneath it and creep into an area that wasn't supposed to be painted. Finally, C is another flaw. Debris was on the bare plastic and painted over causing there to be a raised spot on the back of her ear.
The picture on the right shows an example of minor Crooked Legs. You can see where the hooves on the first two horses are not flush with the ground. This is a flaw in the mold and something that judges do look at. The most common case of crooked legs is in horses like Cigar, whose front outstretched leg sometimes resembles a bent noodle. It's important to make sure your horse's cannon bones are as straight as possible. Bent ears have also been an issue recently with Breyer.
Additional points of interest when checking for condition would be to look for Knicks or Dents in the plastic. These are more prevalent on the older Chris Hess models that are being re-released.
Something that isn't as important as you'd think, is Facial Details, Carved Ears, etc. I've found some judges love added detail but for the most part it doesn't matter. My case in point is the Lady Phase mold. She is an older Chris Hess mold and lacks forelock detail and her ears are not only NOT carved but they actually seem to protrude from the middle! However, this mold consistently places at NAN Qualifying Shows as well as NAN. While the newer paint jobs do still seem to go further than the older ones because of the crisper markings.... the Lady Phase mold still holds her own. Lazy eye and all! I've seen the mold take Champion at NAN in at least one class every single year. Most of the time she takes multiple classes at the Nationals though. And this is when pitted against newer horses with nicer details, such as Smart Chic O'lena and Roxy.
Invisible Scratches are the bane of many OF collector's life. These are small scratches to the finish (not the paint) of a model that can be seen when you move a model around in the light. See the video below for a greater example if you're unsure what I'm referring to.
Sloppily Painted Eyes will damage your horse's overall score. So while it's nice to buy a hose that has actual tri-colored eyes, sometimes it can ruin their show career. I personally prefer the simple black eyes on Breyers.
Older models are judged on condition slightly differently than the newer ones Vintage Model Condition seems to get a pass on small things like ear rubs or a scratch to the finish. The judge takes into account that the model has been around for many, many more years than the newer ones, showing that great dedicated care has been taken to that model. In many cases, mint vintage horses don't exist anymore, so to find one with only ear rubs is impressive to a judge. But again, the judge should take previous factors on Anatomy and Breed Standards before pinning a vintage horse that looks nice!
In this video below, I went step for step through what makes a horse Live Show Quality. So you can see some of the flaws listed above in this video (as well as some redundant information! So, if you've got 15 minutes to blow, watch this!
Judge's Overall Impression
This category often carries far too much weight with judges but as you can see, it is the FINAL deciding factor and only to be used to make a final decision.
This is when any bias comes in to play. A proper judge will weed out the poorly put together horses... then the ones that are incorrect for their breed... then the ones with flaws. The tie breaker will come down to Overall Impression.
As a judge I've seldom had to use this judging category. With the previous three standards of judging, most of the horses had been eliminated or pinned themselves based on elimination. I always found a rub, or dust, or a broken extremity that sealed the pinning of my class for me. To be honest, the only time my impression has come into play was when I was judging the Division Championships. Since I already had "the best of the best" in front of me, I took a more critical eye to condition, and whatever passed that I then judged on which I liked best based on presence, color, execution of details, and pose.
For many judges, sentimental value leans into their choice heavily too. Many judges love Barbaro, Ruffian, Rachel Alexandra, and Zenyatta whenever they show up in the ring because they love the horses they're based off of. Of course Barbaro and Ruffian had very traumatic public endings to their lives so it makes them really sentimental to people. Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra are very sentimental to many collectors due to them having the "girl power" angle. So, you'll find that the judge's choice is sometimes effected by how endeared they are with the model and who it is based on.
Another category where Judge's Overall Impression is effected, is Vintage models versus New Sculpts. Some judges prefer the older molds to the newer ones for either sentimental reasons, or for their simplicity. Some feel that the newer molds look far too cartoony in their face and that the older molds are more realistic. While this shouldn't be a main factor in judging, it often times becomes one.
This is when any bias comes in to play. A proper judge will weed out the poorly put together horses... then the ones that are incorrect for their breed... then the ones with flaws. The tie breaker will come down to Overall Impression.
As a judge I've seldom had to use this judging category. With the previous three standards of judging, most of the horses had been eliminated or pinned themselves based on elimination. I always found a rub, or dust, or a broken extremity that sealed the pinning of my class for me. To be honest, the only time my impression has come into play was when I was judging the Division Championships. Since I already had "the best of the best" in front of me, I took a more critical eye to condition, and whatever passed that I then judged on which I liked best based on presence, color, execution of details, and pose.
For many judges, sentimental value leans into their choice heavily too. Many judges love Barbaro, Ruffian, Rachel Alexandra, and Zenyatta whenever they show up in the ring because they love the horses they're based off of. Of course Barbaro and Ruffian had very traumatic public endings to their lives so it makes them really sentimental to people. Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra are very sentimental to many collectors due to them having the "girl power" angle. So, you'll find that the judge's choice is sometimes effected by how endeared they are with the model and who it is based on.
Another category where Judge's Overall Impression is effected, is Vintage models versus New Sculpts. Some judges prefer the older molds to the newer ones for either sentimental reasons, or for their simplicity. Some feel that the newer molds look far too cartoony in their face and that the older molds are more realistic. While this shouldn't be a main factor in judging, it often times becomes one.
So there you have it!
There's a lot more to a great show horse than just one that's rub and scratch free! More goes into the breed choice and anatomy than the condition!
Don't be overwhelmed by the information here. Showing models is all trial and error. It's also important to gauge the competition. If your horse wins a class of 38-- then you likely picked the right breed for him. If he doesn't place in a class of 38-- it's likely he got lost in the large class and it doesn't mean you did anything wrong.
If your horse places 1st in a class of 5, it doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be successful as the competition wasn't stiff enough to prove a tough win. If your horse doesn't place highly in a class of 5, keep in mind that Judge's preference may have played a part in their choice. Since it was a small class, ask them what you could do to make your horse more successful.
It takes 3-5 outings for me to prove a horse successful or not. If the horse pins more times than he doesn't, then it's a success for me. Sometimes adding documentation helps push him up the pinnings a bit too.
There's a lot more to a great show horse than just one that's rub and scratch free! More goes into the breed choice and anatomy than the condition!
Don't be overwhelmed by the information here. Showing models is all trial and error. It's also important to gauge the competition. If your horse wins a class of 38-- then you likely picked the right breed for him. If he doesn't place in a class of 38-- it's likely he got lost in the large class and it doesn't mean you did anything wrong.
If your horse places 1st in a class of 5, it doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be successful as the competition wasn't stiff enough to prove a tough win. If your horse doesn't place highly in a class of 5, keep in mind that Judge's preference may have played a part in their choice. Since it was a small class, ask them what you could do to make your horse more successful.
It takes 3-5 outings for me to prove a horse successful or not. If the horse pins more times than he doesn't, then it's a success for me. Sometimes adding documentation helps push him up the pinnings a bit too.