The hogged show cob is one of the most popular types of horses to both own and show, making training the cob well essential if you want to be competitive in the show ring. The heaviest stamp of ridden show horse, the cob is loved for its weight-carrying abilities, comfortable ride and versatility. Note, the show cob is a type, not a breed, and many people love them as they’re viewed as being calmer and more amenable in comparison to horses with more “blood”, although, of course, every horse is an individual and not all conform to the stereotype. Cobs are often of unknown breeding, although many have some Irish Draught bloodlines in them, and many top show ring stars have been found in weird and wonderful places. In show cob classes, a ride is required to assess the horse’s performance, and type and conformation is equally important for the second phase of the class.

According to the British Show Horse Association (BSHA), a cob is a short-legged animal which combines substance, bone and quality, and should be capable of carrying a substantial weight of rider. As well as key conformation elements, the cob should be a well-mannered and push-button mount suitable for nervous or elderly riders. The cob should have all the attributes of a good hunter, including low movement and be a comfortable ride.

Cobs are shown in one of three divisions: lightweight, heavyweight or maxi. Only mares or geldings can be shown in affiliated classes.

• Lightweight – minimum of eight and a half inches of bone, exceeding 148cm but not exceeding 155cm, capable of carrying up to 14 stone.
• Heavyweight – minimum of nine inches of bone, exceeding 148cm but not exceeding 155cm, capable of carrying more than 14 stone.
• Maxi – exceeding 155cm with a recommended height limit of 160cm. To be judged to the cob type.

Cobs are also seen in amateur, ladies’ side-saddle, novice and home-produced sections, as well as in working show horse classes. Some hogged cobs are successful in both weight and coloured classes. At some shows, usually at local or unaffiliated level, the lightweight, heavyweight and maxi cobs will come together in a single cob class.

Ensuring your cob is trained to the highest level is essential if you want to succeed in these uber-competitive classes. Owning a cob of a good type is not enough to stand at the top of the line and winter provides the perfect opportunity to refine your schooling and ringcraft ahead of the coming show season.

Training the cob for top performance in the ring

H&H speaks to some of the circuit’s top riders to find out how to solve some of the most common problems associated with show cobs.

1. Running on the forehand

Danielle Heath is a leading show horse producer who is based in Cheshire. She has won open cob classes at both Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International (RIHS) and she has also produced show cobs to the top in side-saddle ranks. Danielle maintains that cobs either have a naturally uphill way of going, or they tend to run on the forehand due to their build generally being quite heavy and downhill.

“If something runs on it can be so hard to get them back, which is why schooling needs to be correct from the very early stages,” Danielle says. “If a cob gets to know its strength early on, you often have nowhere to go – so I like to get on top of it as soon as you get on them. If necessary, I would temporarily use a stronger bit – like a three-ring happy mouth or a Tom Thumb – on a cob that goes on the forehand and is heavy in front, to help them learn to carry themselves and not lean on the rider’s hand.

“Cobs, though, either have a natural way of going, or they don’t. Therefore, it’s very important that they’re done well early on, and are ridden in a combination of a suitable bit and noseband so they sit lighter from the beginning.”

2. Stuffy and sluggish

Keeping a show horse fit and not fat is essential, though cobs can be harder to keep in such a condition due to their size and stamp.

“The fitter a cob is the easier it is for them to give a good ride; if they’re unfit they can be very hard work,” Danielle says. “Plus, maintaining their fitness levels also keeps their shape so they don’t get fat, overloaded and barrel-like.

“If a cob is carrying too much weight in their neck, they can become strong through the bridle; often it might not be that they are unresponsive in the mouth, but they can’t flex and lack suppleness through the neck due to carrying too much bulk.

“All my cobs do lots of canter work; they’re in the field going up the hills most days. Our HOYS-winning heavyweight Bobbi Dazzler is a strong type and due to his stamp, he really thrives on being kept exceptional fit during the show season.”

3. Lacking suppleness

Lynn Russell is one of the circuit’s most well-known cob producers. She has won HOYS and the RIHS on cobs and is known for her business Top Cobs as well as her ability to find stars of the future.

Lynn says that cobs can become very solid in your hand if allowed to, so taking training back to basics is helpful.

“Because cobs are heavier animals they often don’t find it easy to bend and flex; they sit on your hand, especially on the inside rein,” she says. “I do a lot of walking, especially when they’re just backed. Just lots and lots of walking; on spiral circles, leg yielding in and out, on serpentines, while changing the rein. I will also walk over a pole, ride a sharp turn and double back over the pole to get that flexion. This helps enormously when we move through the paces.”

4. Overly strong

While every type of show horse should be forward and “look through the bridle”, some cobs can have a tendency to become strong in the hand.

“Cobs can be strong, and they’ve got to learn to respect the brakes, but this doesn’t come by the rider being savage with them,” Lynn says. “All of my cobs are responsive to voice commands – if any rider or judge says ‘woah’ they stop dead.

“I personally find riding a cob in a curb bridle, such as a pelham, helps. I might not be showing in the same bit or bridle, but I’d usually put my show cobs in a curb with two reins at home. It sits them up and helps them get used to it for the ring.”

5. Tension

Richard Telford is a Scottish show horse and native specialist who was cob of the year champion at HOYS in 2024 on heavyweight Taylor’s Hero. Horses can be tense for a variety of reasons, but Richard says that as a rider it’s your responsibility to not add to that tension with even more pressure.

“Tension comes from the mouth and the neck; if you’re holding a horse in a fixed outline and it can’t move its neck, it then can’t move it’s body,” Richard says. “The idea is to get the neck loose while keeping the contact and allowing them to move forward.

“Our maxi cob Clononey Mighty Mick, who was fourth at HOYS, was a real tense horse when he arrived. These types of horses invite you to hold onto them and you’ve got to train yourself to not pull when you feel like you need to. You’ve got to learn to hold with your seat, not by pulling them in the mouth. I think about it like a skid mechanism in a car – if you skid you automatically want to jump on the brake, but you must resist this reaction and pump the brake instead. It’s the same with the reins, give and take, give and take. If you just grab and hold tight the horse will run away from it.

“I ride loads of suppling exercises, concentrating on trying to control the horse with my seat and less with the reins. Try riding with your reins in one hand too, asking for transitions from walk to halt, trot to halt. Try stopping without using the reins, and then you’ll really see if you’re able to stop your horse using just your seat.”

6. The ride judge

When it comes to preparing your horse for the judge to ride, it’s worth getting experienced people you know and trust to help.

“Get other people to ride your horse if you can,” Richard advises. “Maybe someone who you regard as better than you, or who judges themselves so knows what the horse needs to be prepared for in the ring. This person can then advise you on what direction you need to go in.”

Thank you for subscribing to the H&H website. We will be bringing you showing news from major dates on the circuit including Royal Windsor, Royal Welsh, Royal International, HOYS and more, as well as important news that the showing world cares about throughout the year. Stick with us for all you need to know.

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Showing producer Lynn Russell has lost her long-term sponsor Baileys Horse Feeds after posting a short video of a young cob wearing an elasticated training aid on her facebook page earlier this week.

The seven-second clip showed the young horse taking a few hesitant walk steps before standing still with an overbent head carriage.

The clip quickly prompted numerous negative comments raising concerns about Lynn’s training methods before she removed it from her facebook page.

Stills taken from the video clip continued to circulate on social media over the following days, with concerned individuals contacting both Lynn, who told H&H she had received death threats, and her sponsors.

Baileys issued the following statement on Friday, confirming they would no longer be supporting the producer and rider, with whom they have worked for some 40 years.

“Further to the release of a video on social media by Baileys-sponsored showing producer, Lynn Russell, we would like to assure our customers, and the wider horse world, that we in no way condone abusive training or handling of any horse or pony,” said the statement.

“Baileys Horse Feeds’ sponsorship of Lynn has been withdrawn, with immediate effect.”

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Lynn told H&H she was very upset by the way the short video clip had been misinterpreted, stating the young horse was not wearing tight side reins in the video as numerous social media commenters had claimed.

Lynn said: “I am distressed and disappointed by the misinterpretation of a seven-second video clip. The horse was equipped with an elastic bungee with considerable give, not side reins, and at no time has he – or any of the many other horses I have produced over 40 years – been subject to mistreatment.

“I am devastated by Baileys Horse Feeds’ statement. Despite vitriolic attacks on social media, I’ve been heartened by many personal messages of support from those in and outside the showing world who actually know me, know the way I work and appreciate that I care about my horses.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Showing producer Lynn Russell is aiming to raise £10,000 for a breast cancer charity, following her diagnosis with the illness last year.

She has already raised more than £5,000 through a raffle, which was drawn at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

“It started off because I had breast cancer last year, was quickly treated, and I wanted to be able to put something back,” said Lynn.

“A lot of the showing community pulled together to donate lots, and people outside it did as well. We had more than 75 prizes, which included everything from cash to a day’s hunting, coach rides, vouchers and therapy weekends.”

“I have had a tremendous amount of support with it and a lot of help,” she added. “Fiona Wright has been great with all the admin, which is not my strong point.”

With some prizes re-donated, and extra lots also being offered, Lynn is now hoping to hold a second raffle at Hickstead’s Royal International meeting (23 to 28 July).

“We’re hoping to hold it in the Dick Saunders pavilion, and people should be able to buy tickets there too,” she said.

Lynn is also raising finds for Breast Cancer Now through the regular tack sales she hosts at her yard at Durfold Farm in Surrey. The next sale takes place on 3 June.

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“We’ll be having a charity stall there that sells donated tack, and people will be able to make an offer for items,” Lynn said. “If anyone has tack they don’t want, they can bring it to a show and leave it outside my lorry, or contact me via phone, message, or email. Anything we can’t sell, we give to The Gambia, so nothing gets wasted.”

Lynn was diagnosed with breast cancer last November and had surgery in December.

“I can’t say I timed it to fit in with the show season but it worked out well!” she said. “I dropped a few horses off over the winter when I wasn’t too well, but they are all back up now and we’re getting back on track.

“As far as we know I am in the clear, with some more surgery coming up at the end of the year.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The showing producer gives her take on the impact of social media in her sport — plus find out how to rise above the horse world’s keyboard warriors

When Lynn Russell won the maxi cob championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) last October with Jovian, an unfortunate photo appeared on social media and the keyboard warriors launched into a deeply unseemly tirade.

“Fat” was the least vitriolic of the adjectives used to describe the Irish draught known as Pinkie.

Like many in the showing world for the long haul, Lynn has had to grow a thick skin, though it’s obvious even now that the remarks upset her. But it all paled into insignificance when she lost the eight-year-old to a colon torsion two days after I visited her yard at Dunsfold, Surrey. It is hardly surprising that she is vitriolic about Facebook and its ilk.

“It’s killing the job,” she says, with understandable vehemence. “I think people who show professionally or judge, or have anything to do with the horse world, should be very careful with social media. It’s become nasty and somebody will chuck a lawsuit at someone and end up with a lot of money.

“That said, it can be useful. I sell tack on Facebook — a lot of second-hand stuff, some 
of which I sell to raise money for charity — and I use it to advertise clinics and for staff.”

Using social media responsibily

People who comment on a picture, post or news story — any online content — with a cutting remark are often called keyboard warriors. They tend to have a point to make and an opinion, and will happily air it without any regard for how it’s being seen or taken, and often without full knowledge of a situation.

From there it can escalate quite quickly and become fairly unpleasant, with the individual casting aspersions on various aspects of the horse and rider, such as their attitude, care of horse, animal welfare, authenticity, etc. But there are actions you can take to avoid becoming party of a social media storm.

1. Report threatening posts

Many social media platforms have functions that allow posts to be reported and, if posts take a threatening nature (such as the threat to kill or cause damage) then they should be reported to the police.

2. Move to private messaging

‘Rising above it’ can be easier said than done, but entering into an all-too-public slanging match isn’t an appropriate course of action either. Moving a conversation to private messaging can be a good move. Remember to keep calm and don’t lose your cool. Maintain a professional, collected front at all times — even if inside you’re not dealing with it all that well. Of course, you always have the block and delete function too, which can be useful.

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3. Stay positive

As when face-to-face, not everyone will be best friends on social media either. Keep in touch with people who you like, but accept that people will have differences of opinion. Just because you don’t agree, doesn’t mean that you – or the other person – is wrong. Don’t focus on trying to make other people like you – be genuine and who you really are. Spend your time and effort being the best person you can be and focus on your own life and ambitions, rather than what others are doing or saying.

4. Know the boundaries yourself

There’s a line between expressing an opinion, and bullying. As a general rule, if you wouldn’t say it to a person’s face, you shouldn’t type it.

5. Check out society rules on social media use

Most of the showing societies and governing bodies have introduced social media rules in their handbooks or rulebooks so make sure you are familiar with what they say and stick to the rules if you want to avoid ending up in hot water.

Read the full interview with Lynn Russell in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (22 February 2018)

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The 2017 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) maxi cob of the year Jovian has died aged seven as a result of a colon torsion.

The pure bred Irish draught “Pinkie”, as he was known at home, was owned by Baileys Horse Feeds and produced by Lynn Russell, who piloted him from a newly broken novice right through to his HOYS victory last year.

The powerful grey roan gelding, who was by Star Kingdom out of Lecarrow Gypse, and Lynn were a formidable duo during their three seasons together.

“I saw him in Ireland as a rising four-year-old,” said Lynn. “He was so easy to break, his temperament was just faultless from the beginning.”

As a four-year-old, he was lightly shown as a novice, winning on all four of his outings, which included taking the cob title and reserve supreme of show sash at Horsham and also the cob championship at Thame.

The following year he took another host of top awards, including third spot in the maxi final at the Royal International.

Pinkie qualified for HOYS in 2016 in the ladies’ ranks, but while the atmosphere proved a bit too much for the then five-year-old, he returned the following year as a ridden cob and was crowned maxi cob of the year, also placing in his ladies’ class.

“He gave me his heart”, wrote Lynn in a Facebook post announcing the news.

“After a great win at HOYS I had our year mapped out, and this season will not be same without him on the lorry.

“I am completely shattered, it is like losing my best buddy. I really hope there is another Pinkie out there looking for me.”

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Lynn thanked the showing community for their kind wishes and support.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Criticism of the rosettes at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) has prompted the event’s organisers to reinstate the old design for 2012.

Showing producer Lynn Russell spoke of her “disappointment” with the rosettes in our report (13 October).

Miss Russell said it was a “shame” that the “smart metal face” had been replaced with cardboard.

Grandstand Media, which runs HOYS, told H&H there had been “overwhelming feedback” about the new rosettes.

A spokesman said they wanted “every element” of HOYS to “exude supremacy and glamour” – and would reinstate the metal disc for 2012.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (20 Ocotber, 2011)

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Showing supremo Lynn Russell is in hospital after being crushed by a horse falling on her.

Lynn broke four ribs in the accident, which happened on Tuesday (25 August) at her yard in Surrey.

She was working a young horse in the school when it reared and fell back on top of her.

Lynn was taken by air ambulance came to the Royal Surrey Hospital, where she underwent a full body scan.

“She’s still in high dependency as there have been a few complications, but she fine,” said a friend of Lynn’s.

“She obviously in immense pain but the main things is she’s alive. I spoke to her yesterday and she sounded very laboured.

“She’s having the drains from her chest taken out in the next couple of days and once she’s stabilised she’ll be moved to a different ward.”

Doctors expect Lynn to be off for between eight and 10 weeks.

“She’s hoping to still be able to attend Horse of the Year Show (7-11 October) because though as she has horses qualified” added Lynn’s friend. “We all have our fingers tightly crossed”.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Showing rider Lynn Russell is the latest rider to sign up to our “stop the transport madness” petition.

In April the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) banned anyone with a full-time job driving an HGV lorry on both days at the weekend (news, 2 April).

“The situation is a nightmare at the moment,” said Lynn. “The information we get is confusing and is causing total mayhem. Transport regulations are yet another thing stacked against the horseworld.”

So far, 4,460 people have signed the petition — but we need 95,000 more. As well as adding your name on our website, you can also print off a PDF of the voucher printed in last week’s issue, to take to shows and rallies or to pin to your noticeboards.

• To sign up visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/vosapetition

If you have problems signing, email carol_phillips@ipcmedia.com

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (20 August, ’09)

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SHOWING producer and British Show Horse Association (BSHA) board member Lynn Russell is making a stand against what she considers to be the injustice of having an annual height certificate questioned mid-season.

Lynn obtained a certificate in January for her five-year-old lightweight cob, Deimos, who measured 154.8cm — the height limit is 155cm.

But on 8 June, the Joint Measurement Board (JMB) said an objection to his height had been made by Ponies (UK).

She was given 21 days to get him remeasured before he would become ineligible to compete in lightweight cob classes.

She said: “I refuse to go along with this. A young horse which ‘measures in’ in January could well be taller by mid-season, because it’s in peak show condition and it is reasonable to expect it to have grown.

“I am happy to have him remeasured once he has been let down and, if he has grown, I will show him in maxi cob classes next year.”

Deimos qualified for the Horse of the Year Show at Three Counties (report, 9 July issue), but may be ineligible for the final as a result of the objection.

Howard Robinson, secretary of the JMB, said: “JMB rules allow stewards and member societies to request the remeasurement of animals holding annual certificates, but objections to annual certificates by competitors and show executives are not allowed.

“The owners of young horses want the annual certificate to last till the end of the year, but when they realise their horse has grown, do they withdraw from the class? They should if they embrace fair competition.”

Davina Whiteman, chairman of Ponies (UK), told H&H: “An animal should not exceed the conditions of a class on that day. Those are the rules.”

Lynn Russell’s case is not connected to the ongoing JMB investigation into alleged measuring anomalies centred on an Essex vet (news, 18 June).

Thirty-one horses and ponies have been recalled for measurement by the JMB during June. An average month would involve three or four.

To join the debate online, go to www.horseandhound.co.uk/measurement

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (2 July, ’09)

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A furore erupted last week after 166 competitors had their entries returned by the Royal Show (1-4 July).

Royal Show manager Simon Frere-Cook said the livestock office had taken on extra staff to try to reinstate as many of the returned entries as possible — but admitted it was “all a bit of a muddle”.

“The closing date was 27 April, a Friday, but unfortunately 166 entries arrived after that date — many after the weekend,” said Mr Frere-Cook. “We had 100% new staff this year in the office, so it took longer than normal to put people’s entries on the system — and we had a few computer problems. When all the entries were logged, we found we were up on numbers from last year, so we had to return the ones that arrived late.

“It is most unfortunate, particularly for those hoping to use the Royal Show as a Horse of the Year Show [HOYS] qualifier. Some of those returned were from very senior competitors.”

Mr Frere-Cook admitted that some late entries were mistakenly date-stamped 30 May instead of 30 April — the Monday. Plus, several competitors had their entries returned with another competitor’s cheque — all of which “added to the confusion”.

He added: “There have been a couple of muddles for which I apologise sincerely.”

Irate show producer Lynn Russell was one of those originally rejected.

“I went mad — I’ve exhibited there for more than 20 years,” she told H&H. “If the entries had been late, I should have had them back by return. They also said they’d been oversubscribed, but I find that hard to believe. The problem for people is that it’s too late to enter any other shows now.”

The producer rang the organisers and her entries were reinstated.

She added: “The Royal is a lovely, big show. It’s one of the most prestigious and everyone wants to exhibit there.”

Read this news story in full, including comments from top producer David Tatlow and native pony enthusiast Jenny Crane, plus details of what to do if you have had your Royal Show entries returned, in today’s Horse & Hound (21 June, ’07)

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