CLASS & TYPE INFORMATION
LONDON INTERNATIONAL SHOWING SERIES
SUPPORTED BY HORSE & HOUND
CLASS & TYPE INFORMATION
The London International Showing Series supported by Horse & Hound has something to suit all combinations of horses and riders. Whether you’re new to showing or have a little more showing experience, this series can be a great way to try something new. We’ve put together some information on each of the classes held at the LIHS including how the classes are judged, what type of horse is most suitable and who is eligible.
Cob Type
Eligibility: The Cob Type class is a Rising Star class meaning it is only open to Home-Produced Amateur competitors aged 15 years and over.
This class encompasses the three cob types, lightweight, heavyweight and maxi cob and therefore for this class, the horses should have the following attributes:
- Short-legged with bone, substance and quality capable of carrying a substantial weight.
- Cobs should be between 148cm and 155cm. Maxi cobs should measure over 155cm but keep the attributes and characteristics of a lightweight or heavyweight cob.
- Lightweight cobs should have a minimum of 8.5 inches of bone capable of carrying up to 14 stone.
- Heavyweight cobs should have a minimum of 9 inches of bone, capable of carrying over 14 stone.
- Cobs should be well mannered, muscled with a defined wither, have strong hocks and be a comfortable ride.
This class is judged as a usual showing class with an initial go round all together, competitors are then required to perform an individual show and their horse’s conformation is assessed.
Small/Lightweight Hunter Type
Eligibility: The Small/Lightweight Hunter Type class is a Rising Star class meaning it is only open to Home-Produced Amateur competitors aged 15 years and over.
This class encompasses the small and lightweight hunter types and horses should be true either of those types:
- The small hunter should have substance and a deep body, conveying quality with a calm temperament. Measuring between 148cm and 158cm, the small hunter should be a scaled down middleweight hunter.
- The lightweight hunter should measure over 158cm and be capable of carrying up to 12stone 7 lbs for a full day’s hunting. A lightweight hunter should have around 8 inches of bone, be compact and have athletic paces.
This class is judged as a usual showing class with an initial go round all together, competitors are then required to perform an individual show and their horse’s conformation is assessed.
Middleweight/Heavyweight Hunter Type
Eligibility: The Middleweight/Heavyweight Hunter Type class is a Rising Star class meaning it is only open to Home-Produced Amateur competitors aged 15 years and over.
This class encompasses the middleweight and heavyweight hunter types and horses should be true either of those types:
- The middleweight hunter should be capable of carrying up to 14 stone and have around 9 inches of bone. Middleweights should have substance, a calm temperament with 4 athletic paces
- Heavyweight hunters should have around 9.5 inches of bone, substance and 4 athletic paces. The heavyweight hunter should be capable of carrying over 14 stone for a full day’s hunting.
This class is judged as a usual showing class with an initial go round all together, competitors are then required to perform an individual show and their horse’s conformation is assessed.
Small Hack or Riding Horse Type
Eligibility: The Small Hack or Riding Horse Type class is a Rising Star class meaning it is only open to Home-Produced Amateur competitors aged 15 years and over.
This class encompasses the small hack and riding horse types so horses should be true either of those types:
- The small hack should measure between 148cm and 154cm. The hack should be balanced, obedient and comfortable to ride, showing effortless transitions and natural self-carriage.
- The small riding horse should measure between 148cm and 158cm. The riding horse should sit between the hack and the hunter substance wise, and combine quality, presence, power, manners and rideability. A riding horse should have balance and athleticism with free movement and ground covering paces.
This class is judged as a usual showing class with an initial go round all together, competitors are then required to perform an individual show and their horse’s conformation is assessed.
Large Hack or Riding Horse Type
Eligibility: The Large Hack or Riding Horse Type class is a Rising Star class meaning it is only open to Home-Produced Amateur competitors aged 15 years and over.
This class encompasses large the hack and riding horse types so horses should be true either of those types:
- The large hack should measure between 154cm and 160cm. The hack should be balanced, obedient and comfortable to ride, showing effortless transitions and natural self-carriage.
- The large riding horse should exceed 158cm with no upper height limit. The riding horse should sit between the hack and the hunter substance wise, and combine quality, presence, power, manners and rideability. A riding horse should have balance and athleticism with free movement and ground covering paces.
This class is judged as a usual showing class with an initial go round all together, competitors are then required to perform an individual show and their horse’s conformation is assessed.
Working Hunter Type
Eligibility: The Working Hunter Type class is a Rising Star class meaning it is only open to Home-Produced Amateur competitors aged 15 years and over.
Horses should exceed 148cm and have the attributes of the show hunter, yet demonstrate enough athleticism to complete the jumping phase. The maximum height of fences in the qualification rounds is 3’3 but can be increased at the final.
This class is judged as a usual working hunter class where competitors are required to complete a course of fences before confirmation and rideability are assessed. The following marks are awarded for each section:
- Jumping: 40
- Style & Presence While Jumping: 20
- Ride: 20
- Conformation: 20
- Total: 100
Working Show Horse Type
Eligibility: The Working Show Horse Type class is a Rising Star class meaning it is only open to Home-Produced Amateur competitors aged 15 years and over.
Horses should exceed 148cm and have the attributes of a hack, cob or riding horse, yet demonstrate enough athleticism to complete the jumping phase. The maximum height of fences in the qualification rounds is 2’9′ but can be increased at the final.
This class is judged as a usual working show horse class where competitors are required to complete a course of fences before confirmation and rideability are assessed. The following marks are awarded for each section:
- Jumping: 40
- Style & Presence While Jumping: 20
- Ride: 20
- Conformation: 20
- Total: 100
Open Style & Performance Young Rider (15-25Yrs)
Eligibility: The Open Style & Performance Young Rider class is open to all competitors aged between 15 and 25 years of age. Horses can be ridden astride or side saddle.
This class focusses solely on the performance of the horse and rider. Conformation or type are not taken into consideration. Competitors will perform an individual show which must be no longer than 2 and a half minutes and must include the following elements:
- Walk, trot and canter on both reins, a canter change of rein across the diagonal with a maximum of 5 strides of walk or trot, lengthened canter stride, 6-8 strides of a free walk on a long rein and a 4 second halt
This class is judged using the following marks:
- Performance: 140 marks
- Overall Impression: 30 marks
- Manners & Way of Going: 30 marks
- Total: 200
Open Style & Performance Over 25 Yrs
Eligibility: The Open Style & Performance Over 25 Yrs class is open to all competitors aged 25 and over. Horses can be ridden astride or side saddle.
This class focusses solely on the performance of the horse and rider. Conformation or type are not taken into consideration. Competitors will perform an individual show which must be no longer than 2 and a half minutes and must include the following elements:
- Walk, trot and canter on both reins, a canter change of rein across the diagonal with a maximum of 5 strides of walk or trot, lengthened canter stride, 6-8 strides of a free walk on a long rein and a 4 second halt
This class is judged using the following marks:
- Performance: 140 marks
- Overall Impression: 30 marks
- Manners & Way of Going: 30 marks
- Total: 200
Open Racehorse To Show Horse
Eligibility: The Open Racehorse To Show Horse class is open to all competitors aged 15 years and over.
This class is open to Thoroughbred or Arab horses who have been retired from race training.
Exhibits must exceed 148cm, and should ideally fit into a hack, riding horse or hunter show horse category.
This class is judged as a usual showing class with an initial go round all together, competitors are then required to perform an individual show and their horse’s conformation is assessed.