Hi Dom,
Over - Actually, for me, #2 (front leg only in the air) I think, it's somehow more dynamic. Perhaps as it speaks to you about the power of the rear legs propelling the horse into the air. As others have said though, all 3 are good.
Age - Colour for me. The richness of the browns all work together and contrast with the white of the fruit itself.
Sharp - I think it's the barbed wire for me too. Busy, but forbidding. It says that it is there for a reason.