[Sandra-A1]

You have to remember that Halter classes for the Mares and Stallions are still considered breeding classes in many of the different breeds. Some people feel that the horse's who specialize in the halter/in hand division only, while they are supposed to be the breed's "ideal conformation and type", they are sometimes so extreme with the type/conformation that they would not, or do not, make good performance horses.

I have no problem with the Mare and Stallion having to have wins in the Halter division before they can earn a National/World title. I think it is a good idea and if you did a bit of research you will find that more Mare and Stallion performance horses have done just that....more so than the Mares and Stallions that specialize in halter.

[Dancinglite]

Originally Posted by Sandra-A1

I am for having a true BREEDING class, shown and judged differently than the halter classes of today. One with less showmanship...that is judged with the idea if selecting outstanding individuals.... with the goal of producing well conformed, outstanding movers ...you know like halter classes used to be. Where people looked at the winners to see what the breed was supposed to look and move like!
I would also like to see a lot more of the Get of sire and Produce of Dam classes, as well as increasing the prestige and prize money for these as well as a Breeding Halter Class.

We in Canada don't have halter classes unless they are within breeds such as Arabian,Quarterhorse etc.

We do however have "breed" classes in the Royal Winter Fair which is an extremely high class event attracting participants from all over the world.

Does form follow function in these classes and produce a "performance" horse ? There was a huge discussion on that very subject on another BB and the result was mixed. I have seen many winners from all classes esp the "cup" classes where the winner was sold ( usually to the US) and never heard from again esp in performance classes. It is actually a saying that to win a cup class is a kiss of death.

Horses like Big Ben would NEVER had won a breed or as you put it halter class. One of our best dressage stallions Reipo ( deceased) that won bronze at the olympics had the worst hocks ever and would have finished last in a breed class. I have shown at the Royal and seen horses that paddle, wing and display other major conformation faults win these classes.

So while I agree with you in principle the evidence does not neccessarily support that breed classes will produce a better performance horse.

Sometimes what makes a winning performance horse is that horse's desire to overcome all odds against it at any cost. My own grey horse in my avatar had jack spavins....but succeded at Grand Prix.

So the argument continues................

[Sandra-A1]

I think that is why some of the owners of breeds like the Quarter Horse and Arabians are concerned...what form is winning in halter classes is not always allowing correct function.

In some breeds the halter class is a big deal.
The Mare or Stallion winning a National/World title is supposed to epitomize that breed's ideal.
The problem is what happens when the winner has conformation that will inhibit a good correct movement and long useful life?

[arabkid]

Originally Posted by Sandra-A1

I think that is why some of the owners of breeds like the Quarter Horse and Arabians are concerned...what form is winning in halter classes is not always allowing correct function.

Ok, I am following this, but just because some owners don't show their mares/stallions in performance doesn't mean they couldn't do it, just means the owners decided to use them for breeding and didn't consentrate on breaking them. I am NOT saying I think this is right, but it still doesn't mean that they couldn't be riden.

[Sandra-A1]

....but just because some owners don't show their mares/stallions in performance doesn't mean they couldn't do it, just means the owners decided to use them for breeding and didn't consentrate on breaking them. I am NOT saying I think this is right, but it still doesn't mean that they couldn't be riden.

You will get no argument from me...I agree.
It is just that I feel that the Mares and Stallions who are trying to win National/World titles which proclaim them the best representives of the breed should actually prove themselves by winning performance classes.
I think that the Mares and Stallions who are going to win the big prestigious titles should be the BEST and how do we know that they are really the best unless we also have them prove themselves as a performance horse?
In the past there were several Arabian National Champion Stallions that first won performance titles before they won National Champion in halter!
I just wish more were doing the same today!

[arabkid]

Originally Posted by Sandra-A1

You will get no argument from me...I agree.
It is just that I feel that the Mares and Stallions who are trying to win National/World titles which proclaim them the best representives of the breed should actually prove themselves by winning performance classes.
I think that the Mares and Stallions who are going to win the big prestigious titles should be the BEST and how do we know that they are really the best unless we also have them prove themselves as a performance horse?
In the past there were several Arabian National Champion Stallions that first won performance titles before they won National Champion in halter!
I just wish more were doing the same today!

Well I guess we agree then..lol in a very weird way. I wish we saw the national champion stallions in performance too! I'm a little easy on the mares, because I can understand if they're that good why people would want to get breeding them. But yes, I agree I would like to see more halter horses become performance horses. But I also would like to see the mares and stallions in performance meet the breed standards at AT LEAST a class A level in halter.

[John]

I think where halter horses are over fed with all sorts of things to win the yearling and two year old halter classes and at three the horse is finished is very wrong. This practice is found only in several breeds.

[babyruth]

Originally Posted by John

I think where halter horses are over fed with all sorts of things to win the yearling and two year old halter classes and at three the horse is finished is very wrong. This practice is found only in several breeds.

What? I don't understand what you are saying? Are you saying the career of the horse is finished at three and that's wrong? Or from being overfed, by the time they are finished growing they are worng - conformation wise? I'm not quite getting what you mean.

[gingersnaps2002]

Squeaker is both a halter horse and a good performance horse. At her old owners she would do halter and usually place and go right into western pleasure and win,then go on into barrel racing,poles and other speed games. I like a horse that is good all around and I don't care a whole lot for the huge halter horses because they are built like a tank and their pasterns are tiny. It looks to me like if they even tried to do anything physical they would have some major lameness issues.