[Painted_Cowgirl]

i was just wondering if anybody on the forum was a judge for horse shows?
and if so what do you look for in a english pleasure class, western pleasure class, trail class, horsemanship/equation(sp?) class, and a halter class.

if anybody wants to add events just post them

[Blistering Winds]

Does judging student count?

Western Pleasure - basically a slow (not super slow), steady, even gaits, collected, reaching, legs symmetrical (no short strides on one side or another). You should be able to set a metranome to the walk, trot, or lope as they move. Their head level and position should remain consistant and rarely ever moving as they move AND transitions, including the stop, which should be smooth. The horse MUST be on the correct lead, and extend when asked. The reins should remain slack, with little to no handling by the owner. Subtle cues in the feet can be given, but If it catches the judges eye, you will be penalized for it. Flashy outfits won't get you noticed, flashy ANYTHING won't get you noticed. Also, a CLEAN horse. Please do not walk in with a mud horse, even in open shows! They CAN Penalize you for it.

Trail - a horse who can manuver through the course with little to no help from the rider, picks up the correct leads when and where asked, bright, focused look about them. Tail shouldn't "swish" objects over, so put fly spray on. You can be SEVERELY penalized for disrupting the course. Horse should be able to trot and lope CORRECTLY over poles, through the course, as there are a LOT OF POLES!! LOL. Even raised poles. Ticks and Hits are penalized 1/2-2 points a PIECE!! So watch them!!

Western Riding - THIS IS A LEAD CLASS. So don't be suprised at your placing if your horse cannot do lead changes!!!! Bright, alert horse who manuvers through the course easily and with very little noticeable cues. Picks up the leads in the correct place, and is cadenced, smooth, and symetrical through out. (which is required for ALL western classes except timed events.)

Western Horsemanship. Same as above, performs required Pattern smooth, consistant, and with un-noticeable cues from the rider. Pivots on the CORRECT foot, and crosses IN FRONT and not behind during the pivots as well. The rest is on the Rider, correct heels, arm, hand, and facial expression. SHould be forward and not down or at the judge. Should be clean, and in SHOW attire. Horse should be clean as well.

If you got the basics of one down, the rest fall into place pretty easy. Until you get into cattle and timed events, then that is a WHOLE nother story!!

Showmanship is 70% handler and 30% Horse in all reality. You are judged on the ability to show a horse at halter and/or in a pattern. Should be able to pivot your horse, little slack in your lead, should NOT drag your horse through the pattern. Yoru horse should be clean and spick and span!! Even a PLUG of a horse can win in showmanship if the handler is awesome!!

Ummm....lets see.

Hunter under Saddle. Same as Western Pleasure, but you want MORE of a ground covering stride. Long, low strides. Everything else remains the same.

Hunter over Fences. Same as Hunter under Saddle, except you add a jump. You want a good take off, good landing, strides are calculated about 12ft. So you have 6ft to take off and 6ft to land. Too sharp take off or too sharp landing is penalized. Also the horse MUST land on the correct lead. Any "ill manners" is also penalized. A look of "DUCKING OUT" is penalized basically. If they hesitate in any way that can endanger a rider. etc.

WOW, I actually remember a LOT!!LOL. That is all from memory. Bu tDON"T ask me the points. I need a cheat sheet for those!!! LMAO, cept for reining. THAT I have almost down to a T.

[equ3strian]

Wow, lots of good info! I benefited from it. Every class you gave advice on I show now except for HUS which I plan to show once I get my new horse. Thanks for the info! I'm sure Painted Cowgirl benefitted(sp?) as well. I'm going to try and find the point system for those events, there is a book on the points for showmanship that I'm trying to get.

[Lou3]

i've judged novelty classes like best combination, best rider and pony club pony but i dont know enough about the specific rules to judge anything else (other than at tiny fun gymkhanas of course but they're different) If you are interested in these classes (may be more relevant to UK-based members) let me know.
Lou

[shell]

I have been a jump judge for cross country. It was very fun!!

[Blistering Winds]

Showmanship Points: 10 points looks, 10 Points Performance, 20 Pt total scale.

20 Excellent Performance
18-19 Generally excellent Performance with one minor fault

16-17 Good Pattern execution with one or two minor faults

14-15 Avg Pattern that lacks quickness, precision or commits 2 or more minor faults.

12-13 One Major Fault (automatically drops to this level if major fault, then graded accordingly) or several minor faults

10-11 Two Major faults or many minor faults

6-9 Several Major faults or one SEVERE fault

1-5 Exhibitor commits one or more severe faults but does complete the class and avoids DQ.

[Painted_Cowgirl]

thanks BW!
i just wanted to let people know taht the reason i started this thread was for people that show can know what the judge is looking for.

[Blistering Winds]

And if you don't like judges, then go for timed events!! LOL. Judge just makes sure you are legal. That's it. It is all on the timer!! Even then, you'll hate THAT little booger!!

[Painted_Cowgirl]

so true Bw tahtz why my dad always says "the only fair way to show a horse it to race, taht why the timer is the judge"

[SyntheticTrust]

Sharon's a judge. I can ask her