[raceTHEwind13]

Long story short, our fair (which has an AQHA show) is coming up in a few weeks and the horse I normally ride isn't registered. BUT... my 30 yr old mare is and I was wondering if it'd be okay if I took her and showed in small classes like halter and/or showmanship.

I know she won't win anything but do you think it'd be okay to do that? Enter a 30 yr. old when "young uns' are competing with us? And especially in a recognized show? Would that be wasting the judges time? I just want to have some fun and I'd know she'd enjoy all the attention and pampering.

The other thing thats been on the back of my mind is... her appearance, she has the look of an older horse and definately doesn't have the halter quality coat, its healthy but doesn't have the shine it used to and she has developed slight arthritis in her back hocks. (She's still completely mobile, she even jumps on her own sometimes when she's in the pasture. ) Would that count as lameness and get us disqualified?

As you can tell I'm not that experienced in showing halter so I could really really use some advice from all you halter people out there!!! THANK YOU!!!

[4horsem0m]

Get her all spiffied up and go out there and have fun! She may surprise you!

We went to an open show with our weanling just off/away from mom for 2 weeks, I told my daughter she wouldn't get any ribbons, but just have fun. Then when the class was 17 horses, I told her again. Well, she proved me wrong and that little filly (and only weanling) took 3rd place. It was a halter mare class and April won over some huge halter fit mares.

Good luck and have lots of fun if you go.

[Hoosier Jumper]

Awwh I think that's a sweet idea to get an older horse out and get pampered, The only thing I would suggest is not putting to much stress on her but otherwise I think she would do fine! As long as she healthy have fun with it, it's a smaller show thats what I do (expect now with a 30 yr. old qh) I ran a sheltland pony in a barrel competition and i'm 5"6 this pony is like so short my feet almost touched the ground but I had the most fun i've had in barrel racing considering i'm a jumper!

[mandiemoo]

if you think she is fit enough and sound and bla bla ( :P ) then i dont see anythign wrong with showing her

my old boss's horse was 36 and still in work for her husband learning to ride

go out there and have fun, but dont forget to show us those photos

[Chester]

I know someone who bought a 30 year old horse and her kid was competing it jumping.

Just scrub her up, give her a good spray of showsheen and prepare her like you would any other horse and see how she goes. She may surprise you.

[HalterHorse]

If you go into the arena expecting not to win...then chances are your not.... But if you go in smiling with a fun attitude and KNOW your mare is the best mare in the class... you just may surprise yourself.

You might do really well in showmanship too. Practice your patterns with her and get yourself "snappy". Do a clean performance and maybe just maybe..........

A good horse is a good horse no matter what they are bred for or there lines. If your proud of her enough to take her to the show.... then take her to the show

[faroutfax]

If she is sound and you think she can handle it then why not? Even if you don't take home a ribbon it is the show experience that makes competing fun

Besides at our horse shows we has a horse that is something like 42 competing. She enters atleast twice as many classes as Misty and I do and the horse looks fantastic

[Feliche]

I'm with them...so why not? It's all about having some FUN! The class is going to take the same amount of time regardless of whether you show or not Like 4horsemom said, she might just suprise you, and either way I'd guess that both of you will have a lot of fun! I think it's fun getting all spiffied up and nice. If you spend some time taking really good care of her before the show, and try flax seed oil in her feed, she'll look a little bit younger and "peppier" so to speak And either way, do NOT be ashamed if the younger horses look nicer and place better. You should go with a sense of pride. Not everyone gets to show a 30 year old horse. Age should give you a sense of pride. "Look, my horse might not be what she used to be, but she's out here doing it"...I think you should be SO proud and that everyone will be very respectful of such a wonderful, ripe horse is still being seen in the show ring

Have a blast!

[pinevalley]

Yep, you bet, go and have fun!
I am showing my 25 yo this year, mind you only a few classes per show so as to not overdo it, but I know we both enjoy getting out and trying!!
Let us know how you do, and smile when people ask how old she is and you see the look of surprise and admiration on their faces!

[jumpfordreams]

Go for it! I don't see why you can't show an older horse.
Last year I took a 34 year old to a flat show and we did great against tons of horses both young and old.