AMHR Draft Type Halter Class

[JMS Miniatures]

This class was offered at the Arkansas State Fair at the AMHR/ASPC show. This was the biggest halter class at the show period and seeing it personally and being involved with it I think honestly I see this class being like Western CPD and seeing the big success that class has been I can see the same success with the draft halter class. May even get more people involved in the actual draft driving. I would like to see this class be offered at AMHR Nationals next year as a NR class, if we can do Roadster In-Hand I don't see why we can't offer this.

This is the type they are looking for, this horse placed 4th out of 10.

What do you all think?

 

[lucky seven]

I don't know too much about the different types of minis for showing, but doesn't he look fat? Do the draftier types founder more easily than the more skinny ones? My boy looks like a little qh and I am always worried about his weight. Thanks for the pic, really liked it. I learn alot by reading and looking.

 

[Little Wolf Ranch]

I think it would be very beneficial to those who have the stockier built but still correct miniatures to have a class of there own to compete in. I would personally really like to see this class added!

 

[JMS Miniatures]

It's an old pic of him not in show condition He does have a wide barrel on him, so he always looks heavy but if he looses too much fat he really sucks in at his flanks. Plus take off the hair he looks fine. He has never foundered, his only problem is he is prone to choke so he has to be on a all hay diet. You can't even really give him a cookie cause he just tries to swallow it and not chew it.

This is him in show condition.

 

[Performancemini]

How would they add it? I would guess it would be like solid or multi color classes. The regular "breed" class doesn't designate a "type" (ie. arab, qh, etc.) and that is the class that goes on to CH. and Grand. And would it be 'draft-type at halter' ; would a QH build go it that; yet still cross into the other also? There would be a lot of variables to iron out first. Not saying it might not be nice to have-we've shown in Draft team and have a few that could fit that class. But a couple of them have also done well enough in the Ammy or reg. classes too. Interested in hearing what others think too.

 

[AshleyNicole]

Would have loved to show our stallion Sky in that class but my dog got really sick and couldn't go but Bill was one of the people the one running it. I think having that as a National Class is a great idea. We would love to have a place for the draft type miniature horse in halter. There is more than one type of mini and it would be fun to show in that type of class at the National level. This is who I would show in that class...he is in show shape here but looks a lot like this now

We would be all for this class and I think that it should be set up like a color or model class. Did the QH type show in that class at the fair?

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

I would LOVE it!

 

[REO]

I think I would call it Miniature Foundation Halter

Some minis are drafty, but some look like the old style QH. Different types of stocky. So "foundation" kinda covers all the "types"

I think it'd be a neat class!

 

[AshleyNicole]

I think I would call it Miniature Foundation Halter

Some minis are drafty, but some look like the old style QH. Different types of stocky. So "foundation" kinda covers all the "types"

I think it'd be a neat class!

Great idea!!

 

[Lizzie]

Foundation = Great idea.

Lizzie

 

[Riverrose28]

As everyone else has said, Foundation, sounds great! It is hard for us that have mini's to compete against the ASPC/AMHR minis that have that shetland look. Also I think it would bring entries up at all levels once given a chance.

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

Foundation, yes, draft, no. I LOVE the thought of a Foundation class. My gelding got his HoF several years ago, but at 34.5" just canNOT compete against the Shetland blood anymore.

 

[bullockcorner]

Would LOVE to see this class. However....would there need to be any special requirement such as the horse must be shown in draft driving class to show in halter? We planned on going to this show and showing our draft hitch, AND entering that class, but....$$$ came up (or rather the lack thereof).

If this class is meant for the "draft in hand" like the "roadster in hand", should that mean it is for the true draft driving horses? If so, I agree with what someone else said, in that it could generate a lot more interest in draft driving if we had another class to show our horses in. Or, if people want just a "draft type" halter class, would everyone who had a slightly "stockier" build of mini that doesn't compete quite as well in the "regular" halter classes enter? Then, the trend would tend to start working toward the finer, classier type again, as judges might lean towards that preference. I don't think it would be feasable to try to have any kind of mandatory conformational requirement, as you'd get into a whole slew of discussions/arguements about type, etc.

Anyway, here is my opinion, for as little as it's worth: I don't think we should try to have a "draft type" halter class right now, as there will be all kinds of clammor to have "draft type" model, "draft type" yearling, etc, etc. It would start a whole new division of miniature horses, and some might even say we're going backward in the evolution of the miniature horse. Again, my opion would be to have a "draft in hand" class or something similiar.

O.K, I've said more than I intended, but as we have a draft driving team, I felt obligated. I'm sure I'll be flamed for my opinion, but it wouldn't be the first time.

 

[~Lisa~]

I personally think it makes MUCH more sense to add classes like that rather then Roadster in Hand at our AMHR National show

 

[Jill]

I would not be interested in seeing that offered... I like the halter classes to reward both good conformation and the preferred type (and feel they now do). Of course, I'd probably like it if I preferred a drafty type of mini.

 

[Riverrose28]

I'm not so sure about going backwards! But, I will say that a lot of mini people get discouraged going to shows and can't compete against the ASPC/AMHR horse either A or B. Mostly those A horses that go slightly over. I've seen judges place an ASPC/AMHR horse that toes out over a straight legged mini simply because of that head and neck. I think it would help bring in funding for the shows at the local level as well as for Nationals. Problem being it would have to be brought up and in writing, and yes it would need alot of added classes. Youth, Ametuer, Open, they already have the driving class, why not extend it to halter division. I also don't like the word Stock or Draft, I think foundation souds better. I've been saying for years that the ASPC/AMHR need a separate division, well if you can't do that then how about a foundation mini division. It would improve revenue and get some more folks out showing and promoting.

 

[disneyhorse]

I think there should be some extra thought put into this... and what the IDEAL TYPE would actually look like.

There is a stereotype here, and what some people call "Arabian type" does not always mean the mini looks like and Arabian to others, and what you say "draft type" does not necessarily mean it looks like a draft to me.

I AM A DRAFT HORSE PERSON. I love draft horses. I work with registered draft horses (Clydesdale, Shire, Belgian, Percheron, Spotted, etc.) full-time, five days a week. They are magnificent, gorgeous animals... powerful and beautiful. I make a point to go to the fair specifically to watch them show.

Are we talking Amish-plow-horse drafts, or Show-type drafts?

Just so you know, today's draft horses that are winning in halter look like this:

(Images from Windermere Farm Percherons, their beautiful stallions)

They have long, refined legs, can break level at the trot, have very upright necks. Is this what you want your little minis to look like?

Or, are we going for "farm style" draft horses? Because these are working horses that are not shown in halter. They are very tractable, have good work ethics. But they are not show horses, not shown in halter.

So when we have a horse show, it is to SHOW fancy horses. Working horses are for working. I don't know, that's my philosophy. If I had a chunky Amish-style horse, I would show it in showmanship, obstacle driving... those things which it will excel at. There are classes for EVERY horse, I guarantee you... I'm just not sure we need to make more.

In the Shetlands, take a look at the Foundation classes they have. Those ponies do NOT look like the European shetlands. They still are pretty, upright, refined show horses.

Just my point of view, food for thought.

I LOVE DRAFT HORSES... and I think that there are stereotypes that draft horses are chunky, have more body-to-leg, thick lowset necks, and are mellow.

Andrea

 

[AshleyNicole]

I don't think that having a drafter type or fountation type of mini is going backward...just another type. That should be what we focus on. If you love Arabs well great you can have an Arab type of miniature. Like QH then great get a QH type and also draft types etc. If you want to attact people to miniatures I think you should have a place for all types. Maybe we should have an example of what should be in the class, but I think that this is a great idea...of course things should be ironed out but a great idea.

 

[Jill]

I think there should be some extra thought put into this... and what the IDEAL TYPE would actually look like.

What I've felt over the years is that people assign the terms "draft type" or "quarter horse style" to minis that just are coarsely made and thick compared to "show type" minis... Which doesn't really mean those minis are at all like "mini draft horses" nor "mini quarter horses". Most minis that I hear people say are "draft type" or "quarter horse style" are not so (imo), but are just kind of poorly made examples. To me, below is a mini that H and I own that really looks like a mini QH, but I don't think he looks too much like what is often held out to be a stock or draft type mini....

 

[bullockcorner]

I apologize for suggesting draft minis are going "backward" from what the prefernce of style is right now. Bad choice of words. BUT....I see this topic as going off the OP's original question (and maybe I had something to do with it). I don't think OP meant should we start a whole new division of miniatures. I THINK the question was about one class directed at the miniatures that we drive in the draft mini classes. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Not that the topic of a whole 'nother division of minis doesn't/hasn't been discussed!

If I misunderstand I'm sorry, but to answer the question of adding a single halter draft class, I say "Yes!" - with some kind of guidance as far as "draft in hand".