Sunday 23 June 2013

Royal Highland Show 2013 (Entry 3 - Arab and Partbred Arabs)

Photos and commentary under the cut!

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand


I'd never seen this class before in person as I was never there on the right day so I took a great deal of interest in it.

First up were the partbreds. There were a few mares with foals at foot and all of them were turned out immaculately. (Just look at that condition!)

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand



Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand 

 Some were doing little to counter the 'all Arabs are mental' argument though...

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

There was a purebred stallion waiting for his class in the collecting ring while this all went on and he was getting himself very excited. He didn't rush off or do anything drastic but his constant shrieking and prancing made sure that every mare at the entire show knew he was there.



The mares were substantially better behaved however...

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

In contrast to the native classes from earlier, the tack in this was all about the decoration. (and that foal halter makes me want to customise a riding pony foal and make tack like this for it. XD)

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand



Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Two mares got a little too close at one point and had a little kick out. One swerved away and knocked her poor handler to the ground!

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

It didn't seem to phase her much though. XD




Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand



The showjumping warmup area was right beside this ring and this big mare had a bit of a spook as one soared over the jump.

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand


Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

She wasn't put off for long though and gave me a nice big cheesy grin. XD

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand


Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

The winner!

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand


The purebreds were judged next and Mr Stallion from earlier was finally calm...well, most of him was anyway. :P




There were a few people commenting on him next to me:

'Oh! Look at that!'
'His handler must be so embarrassed! What a shame!'

XD

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand



There were some really gorgeous horses there and even though I'm definitely more of a big hairy cobby pony type, I could definitely see the appeal of an Arabian.

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Arab & Partbred Arab - In Hand

Although actually later in the day, I'll stick the Ridden classes in here too. :P

There were some absolutely stunning horses in this class...

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden



This one had quite a pronounced dish to its front legs...

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden

More unusual markings - a nice example of a chestnut with Birdcatcher Spots!


This one was my second favourite - I love liver chestnuts.

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden

This however, was my absolute favourite. Gorgeous typey horse and such a strikingly unusual rose grey to boot!

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden


They were all ridden round and assessed, then taken back into line and untacked, so the judge could have a good look at them. Once tacked up again, the judge got on and rode them all round in all three gaits before moving onto the next horse.

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden








Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden

Arab & Partbred Arab - Ridden


Clearly I know nothing about judging however as my least favourite horse won the class and my lovely rose grey came second to last!


2 comments:

  1. Not so my type of horse, but some lovely colours and the feisty foals are adorable. I also love the relaxed stance after the mare pushed her handler down. LOL!

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    1. Yeah, I'm much more of a hairy cobby person myself but I can definitely see the appeal now.
      Haha, yes, I don't think she meant to do it at all, she just kind of spooked sideways and the handler went the other direction. XD

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