16h is not big in the english world. Im 5'6'' but I really look ridiculous on anything much smaller (and I dont like heavyset horses), my stirrups already are just at the bottom of my horse's belly in my dressage saddle, and he is 16.1h. Any less horse and I would need bigger spurs just to reach his body. And its kind of hard to jump a horse that has a neck much shorter than your upper body. I dont look small on either of my horses, IMO. Perhaps in the opinion of someone from another discipline though.

I do judge the rider on the horse's condition, and the tack. Besides a poor looking horse, my biggest issue is with people that are total noobs decking out in all the fancy trendy tack. Big gag bit, monoflap saddle, etc. I always feel like they went for the look over anything else. And doing so does hinder riding, those trendy bits you see people run in at Rolex are generally for very educated hands, and in not so educated hands, can be quite hazardous. Not to mention, if a horse does not truly need it, it can get real ugly. And those saddles are designed for riding very short and forward, which most people who have been jumping for 6 months to a year can not do effectively. Anyway, rant over, pet peeve of mine.