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New classes mean horse numbers could jump

The already huge equine entry at the Royal Cornwall Show could be boosted this year by classification changes introduced by the British Show Horse Association (BSHA).

The association is the governing body for several types of horse – cobs, hacks, maxi cobs and riding horses.

At shows like the Royal Cornwall (9-11 June), there are ridden classes which all types can enter. But the working classes have been restricted to cobs.

Now the classification has changed from Working Cobs to Working Show Horses, and this, says association general secretary Charles Wilkerson, is a move widely welcomed by BSHA members.

“All members pay the same fees to register with the association but those with hacks, maxi cobs and ridden horses have had less opportunity to compete.

“By opening up the classes in this way it will provide more events for competition and we expect there to be more entries as a result.”

Horses competing in the working classes go through a jumping stage that ridden classes do not include.

Redruth-based Nathan Arnold is a keen competitor and is in his first season as a BSHA judge – a role he thoroughly enjoys.

“It is a good move in that it opens up classes for other types of horse to compete as working show horses.

“It will be interesting to watch what develops because if you have a good riding horse that can jump, it will be very competitive in the new classes,” he said.

Nathan, who will be competing in the cob classes and the new classes at the Royal Cornwall this year, believes the onus will be on the judges to be very open-minded in reaching their decision as the situation will arise where they are not comparing like with like.

“Different types of horse will be competing against each other on the day and judges will have a challenge in balancing up their different qualities,” he said.

Show secretary, Christopher Riddle, has welcomed the new classification. When show-jumping entries are taken into account, there can be approaching 2,000 horses in a good year, he said.

“But it is not just the numbers that matter. The Royal Cornwall is known for the quality of entries and anything that increases the competitive element is bound to drive the quality even higher.”

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