shetlands always down the bottom of the line

[ShowPonies&Shetlands]

at shows i've been to, i always notice that shetland (esp min shets) get placed really low down in m+m small breeds classes - the welshies ALWAYS win! i know this sounds really bad, but i don't just mean mine, i have seen many fantastic shetlands put down the line at our local shows, because the judges prefer welsh ponies. i have heard comments at the shows from some people that "oh its alright there's a little shetland - we won't be last", and "they could at least brush its mane properly so it doesn't stick up!" (the last comment was about a yearling filly with a traditional, brushed, shetland mane - if it had been thin and flat she'd have looked weird!). judges sometimes totally ignore them and their eyes skim past the shetland while it is doing its individual show to look at the showjumping in the next ring! it might be that my shetlands just aren't good enough, but it happens to other shets as well I've noticed.

p.s. welshie fans don't have a go at me please - i think welshies are great and its not their fault the judges are sometimes biased!

[hunter]

well i breed welshies and i have had shetlands champion ,in fact i have had a ridden shetland supreme ridden over hacks ,hunters show ponies the lot ! A good pony is a good pony

[bowditchblobs]

Im out with my new min yearling this year, i dont show local though, county level they usualy have their own classes, i must admit though im not a fan of mixed m@m classes alot of judges do go for the flasher welsh breeds. I did venture out with my new Fell last autumn to a large local [never again] as i was itching to get him out, i was asked what breed is he?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Snort.......thats local for you

[ghl]

A Shetland won the Waxwing First Ridden Final at Ponies UK Winter Champs last week above all the other small breeds.

[ShowPonies&Shetlands]

well maybe its just local shows near me then..........

[jazz]

I own and show both miniature and standard Shetlands in breed classes and mixed M & M classes. In the mixed classes I have found the majority of judges have judged my ponies fairly. They have gone to win mixed classes, and take championships at affiliated level, and this includes my miniatures. Over the past five years or so, Shetlands have been on the increase when it comes to show entries not only in their own breed classes but in mixed classes also. Like any breed there are good and not so good examples in the ring. Most judges' will not ignore a good example of the Shetland breed. In my opinion these ponies are now regarded highly by alot of judges, you only have to look at the major show results to see that Shetlands are holding their own amoungst the more well known M & M breeds.

[viking]

[quote author=jazz board=moanersarea thread=21242 post=210130 time=1237967403
you only have to look at the major show results to see that Shetlands are holding their own amoungst the more well known M & M breeds. [/quote]

I take your point jazz, but, it has been a very long time in coming. I think people who are interested in the Shetland Breed have stood at the ringside on many occasions and have sighed in disbelief when an excellent example of the breed performing well has been completely overlooked.

[jazz]

viking - I totally agree with you, it has been a very long time in coming. I have been ringside and been one of those people who have sighed in disbelief when a quality shetland has been over looked. I've also been ringside when a Shetland has beaten the M & M breeds, I've listened to the cheers and applause it normally creates amoungst the crowds watching, especially in championships.

showponies&shetlands - Please don't get disheartened, keep showing your Shetland. I'm sure you will find a judge who will give your pony a good look and the results will speak for themselves. I've been under Section A judges/breeders in mixed classes and my ponies have been well placed. Keep a note of the judges who like your pony and those who don't. At the end of the day we all take the best pony home, win or lose.

[bunny]

keep going - we show different breeds as well as our shetlands and have heard a variety of comments. My daughter did a worker (local) once, jumped a lovely clear, great show etc and was put below one who had a stop and one who had a fence down....." you jumped well but I have put you 3rd because you cant really go hunting on a shetland" was the judges comment. You get your good and bad days, look at Southley Red Ember - couldnt have done any better.

[bowditchblobs]

Well look on the bright side at least you wont get asked what breed is he!!!

[lucretia]

[lorilingo]

I have had mixed results with my shetland, one judge said "All shetlands are short and fat and can't move properly", this was uncalled for as my little man had jjust done pony club camp, was in great condition and really can move. Another put us 3rd and said, "he is a perfect example, but a shetland can't beat the flashy welsh ponies can it?" On other occasions we have come highly in coloured and m&m classes and the other competitors have complained that a shetland has beaten - one even left the show as so angry that we won!

However, many judges saw that we had a great pony and placed us accordinly both in inhand and ridden. I think attitudes have changed a lot in recent years and shetlands are more than holding their own.

[drenrowstud]

i think a good shetland can hold its own at any level i breed welsh , have bred sports horses and show horses and riding ponies , there are lots of shetlands in north somerset that always win a good pony is a good pony , but just like the welshies there are many shetlands out there with terrible hindlegs and back ends . m&m classes are judged on type and conformation having judged quite a few shetlands in my time the large percentage of shetlands that i have come across dont move well behind especially the minis and tend to either be cow hocked or screw a hind leg round when they walk away , i think a lot of this is due to people breeding for size and not concentrating on the whole picture . the only other reason i think they get put down especially the minis are they lack purpose . some of my best freinds breed shetlands but they do seem to see somthing in there ponies that the average horsey person doesnt .

one mate paid a fortune for a mini stallion she thinks hes wonderful , personally i think he looks like a rat on a rope , but each to there own , her standard shetlands are very nice and very typey

[sweetpea]

i know what you mean.i have a pibald midi.its disheartening sometimes .and i wonder why or whats wrong with him.maybe im unlucky.my boys always placed middle to bottom.im happy to get a rossette.ANYWAY BEING BRAVE (mad)AND TAKING HIM TO BATH AND WESt SHOW SOON.friend tells me to get out and be seen.

[shortfatanhairy]

I watched a lead rein class at golden cross Hailsham and there were 3 shetlands in a class of 10 and they came 2nd 4th and 6th!!! They were nice ones!!!!! Do know what you mean though not always the case!

[myhorselizzie]

not at the shows i go to.. they always get first and second cos of the cuteness factor! x

[sho]

I think you may find that the quieter ponies are often at the end of the line up regardless of the breed as they don't have the sparkle or flashy movement of the some of the welshes.

Not all judges can see beyond sparkle and realise that not all that glitters is gold!

I have a NF and in a mixed class was told that a good NF will never beat a good Welsh so perhaps it is the same for shetlands.

[nativeponies]

im sticking up for welshes here, please dont all jump on me, but we seem to be getting our welsh backsides kicked by exmoors and dartmoors at the moment, neither of which would prob be considered as "flash" as the welshes!!! So stick with your shetty, it all depends on the judge, i am certainly NOT going to be buying an exmoor just to be the latest trend, no way, love my welshies!!!! keep up the good work shetland people, your day will come and so will ours im sure!

[viking]

Agreeing with you there Arther.

[caroline1278]

We have a shetland that has won and been standard champion at a shetland show, then res.champion at a championship show in hand, however put her on the lead rein and she doesn't get a look!! The child can more than adequately cope with her good movement and obviously, without blowing my own trumpet she must be a reasonable stamp of a shetland pony but still will get placed below welshies that can't move to save themselves!! Maybe it's more a case of not being the correct face on the end of the lead rein!!

[nativeponies]

Caroline, and i am a welsh fan, problem i see in the lead rein is too many full up 12 handers with too much width and too extravagent strides that kids cant sit to with their tiny legs, shetlands are more than adequete for tiny tot on lead, this should also be taken into consideration but is often over looked, keep up the good work though

[caroline1278]

nativeponies, funny you should say that as the jockey that rides this pony is four and can rise perfectly on the shetland but we have a welsh (which doesn't carry alot of fat as it is one my hates) with a big stride that he can't do a thing with this year with respect to rising so we have decided not to put him in the ring on this but instead something that he can rise on!

[nativeponies]

Then i'd say you've made the right choice, how many kids do you see who look like they are doing sideways splits on the larger ponies? I will be honest i am not a shetland fan and waited til daughter was big enough for a show pony and a section A before showing, but they have their place that is for sure, good luck with yours xx p.s fat is one of my hates too, dont do it on our yard, nothing wrong with muscle and topline and not having lami !

[princessalysx]

Hi

We went to British Equine Events @ Myerscough last weekend with our lovely Welsh Section C colt. He won his Youngstock class and went into the Championship, where Champion went to a Welsh mare (beautiful and nice to see against stallions) and reserve Champion went to a stunning Shetland The Shetland wooped the backsides of plenty of flashy Welsh that day!
I think judges in M&M classes need to understand all the breeds and be able to recognise a fine stamp whichever the breed - sometimes flashy Welshies stand higher up the line to a good true stamp of Welsh, basically because they are easy on the eye - NOT because they are the better animal.
Keep up with your Shetland, Im sure you will be moving up the line soon. xx

[storr]

I judged a show last year and placed a shetland 2nd in a large mixed M and M class. The lady was very grateful and said that she hardly gets a look in. Theres a shetland up her in scotland that wins loads, its beaten my welsh cobs and loads of other lovely animals. Its called Lathom Juni or something similar.

[shetfan]

this is a very good thread , i think its taken to many years for shetlands to be taken seriously.
we have come across judges who hate them ( all shetlands are evil , nasty , kick and bite) over the last few years there has been a big turn around and judges are now looking at them in the ring. there are now some fab shetlands out there and good luck to them .
ShowPonies&Shetlands please dont take this the wrong way . i know who u are, if you want tome tips just ask ... nymph is fine by the way (wink)

[dizzydora]

I judged at a show last month and had a shetland supreme. I personally am a show pony person but this shetland was gorgeous and very good example and they were rewarded for that. When you get a good one it will stand out no matter what your up against. Good look all you shetland owners out there ;D

[nativeponies]

We were beat by a shetland last weekend!! it was lovely!!

[masters]

As with nativeponies only had welshies and show ponies, not a lover of shetlands but at least most can be ridden. Cannot get my head around the minatures, what are they all about?

[showmare]

They are good Grass cutters. You can drive some of them.