I've done 4 schooling shows with him so far and I find that the judges weren't political at all. Infact, most of the time I talked to the judge at a break and asked why I was marked as I was, why I needed to improve on, etc. etc. and they always gave me respectful answers and it never ended up being my gelding's fault. Just my riding!
Our 4th show this january, we actually did bring home a 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 5th (equitation on that one) in the Hack division and that was our first show where we actually had our act together (others were just for experience).
However, I plan on keeping his mane roached as you can't even thin his hair without it looking ridiculous. It's literally two manes combined. I've considered letting it grow out and splitting it down onto each side, and just making 2 rows of braids haha! But honestly, you just can't braid that mane.

Streetmutt - is his hind end that small/weak? It always seemed fairly balanced compared to his front end..

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What doesn't kill you; is sure to leave a horrible scar. 
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.