Different classes for horses which have a backdrop and those pictured in front of a curtain/one colour background?

It would be wonderful to have separate classes for those horses which are depicted in a realistic background (field/arena etc) and those which have been photographed in front of a one colour background.

A couple of examples of what I mean:

https://www.omhps.com/Model/Details/1288caf9-2912-48fa-a1ff-0c169d69aac4

https://www.omhps.com/Model/Details/5e40ec48-3b38-42c8-a745-d8fdd50b2384

This would also make the classes smaller and thus more people would have the chance to see their horses place among 1-10.

I'm just curious what makes you suggest this? In a halter class, the model is the only thing judged not the background (or at least it should be) so having either type of background shouldn't make a difference

Actually, it might make a difference, because sometimes realistic background can be too 'loud' and horse might blend too much. Or just background will distract from model itself.

But it's totally up to enterant to use any of the backgrounds, and I personally also doesn't see the reason why they should be split. Some classes are already small enough that all entered horses place.

And to be honest, I would prefer to place in bigger class, with big competition, than to place in smaller class just because there was small amout of models.

That is true, I guess to me that would just essentially be the same as having a blurry photo with a blank background not a cause for a separate division but I can understand the idea

It's certainly something show hosts could decide to do individually :) It will not something that we add a specific filter for on the site functionalities itself, since there is also subjectivity to whether or not a background is considered complex or simple. But if any host wanted to run their show that way they could instruct entrants to do so and make the separate classes for it.

In essence, you're right of course: it's the horse itself that should be judged, not the background or setting.

I'm just as likely to place a model with a plain background, as one with a realistic diorama setting. But in a highly competitive class, with up to 50 - 60 entries (sometimes more)-- having to judge a model simply plunked on kitchen countertop, as opposed to a realistic diorama setting & background can be a huge tiebreaker (at least for me, as a judge). It shouldn't make a diff what kind of setting is used, as long as the model (and photo itself) is clear, focused, with all four hooves resting flat against the surface (there should be no daylight showing underneath the hooves, as this indicates a warped or flawed model).

I can also say, among North American photo showers, having a realistic background & diorama setting is the norm, rather than the exception.

There are a whole lot of other factors that come into play when judging (whether using a plain background or not), such as clarity of photo, details, breed realism, descriptions & references, the judge's personal preference, etc. All these little details is what makes photo-showing fun & competitive! I could post a short judging guide & commentary on photo-show judging, if anyone's interested.🙂

Point well made of how a well intentioned but overly busy natural setting can be a handicap rather than an advantage, which goes back to the model being judged, as opposed to its surroundings - performance classes being the obvious exception, of course. I also can't help but feel that reducing class sizes simply to increase chances of placing isn't the best policy, for a number of reasons ...and I have to admit that I too would rather see my horses place in a large field, than place because there were no more entries to compete against. :-)

And as a judge, I can definitely say that just because I pinned a model 5th in a class of 5 doesn't mean it still wouldn't have been dead last if there'd been 6 entries - or 60! ;-)