[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by SilentSpring

Hehe...well, I don't really show anymore, but I've been reading this post incase anything uber interesting comes up (which there has been a lot of )...so why not? haha lo

In classes (english) with a lot of people in the ring at once, of course things happen that are hard to manage with sometimes. I'm not sure I'll even be showing in these classes (or at all) this year, but I have had to deal with the following situations quite a few times in the past...so I was wondering

- If a rider is circling because they got too close to the person in fromt of them and a new gait/instruction is called while their circling, would you rather see them wait until they reach the track to start doing the new gait, or pick it up on the circle first? I mean, I guess if there were a LOT of people in the rind picking it up on the circle could get kind of chaotic, but what would you rather see?

- For cantering, if your horse picks up the wrong lead and hasn't learnt flying lead changes, and you know might give you a rough simple change would you rather see a nice canter on the wrong lead or someone trying to get the right lead, and maybe not as nice of a canter when they finally do get it? Of course it'd be better for everyone to get the right lead, but what usually penalizes you more - wrong lead or taking a while to get your lead (coming back to trot a few times for a couple strides, etc)?

- What do you think of riders passing the rider in front of them if they are faster?

LOL glad you're finding the thread entertaining! I'm finding it keeps me busy! To answer your questions...

-Generally, it is just fine to complete your circle before you make the transition or follow whatever instruction was called. The exceptions: the command to HALT, because it may have been given for safety reasons. If a horse is acting up badly, or if a rider falls, the judge/ring steward will call for a halt and it is expected that you do so promptly so you don't add to the situation. Also, if the command was REVERSE... if the timing works out, just turn your circle into a reverse by not finishing it. If you are almost done the circle when it's called, finish it and then reverse.

-In any rail class, the canter must be on the correct lead. So if a rider picks up a wrong lead, I like to see them correct it, by whatever means necessary (even if it means a rough simple change, or repeated attempts). This is especially true in Equitation classes, because the judge gives credit for the method used by the rider, rather than the result performed by the horse (as long as you keep ASKING for the correct lead in Equitation, you get marks for your efforts). Which is a good segue into one of the questions posted after yours...

-And as for passing, if your horse is faster or takes longer strides, go ahead and pass. You should always be in control, but there's nothing wrong with passing safely on the inside (with enough room, and without running over the judge.... don't laugh, it happens! ). I hate to see a rider on a big-strided horse, holding her horse in to an unnatural gait, just to avoid passing a slower or smaller-strided horse in front of her. Please, show the horse you have!

[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by HuNTSeAT123

In a hunter undersaddle class, what's the ideal for a head set?
In a hunter equitation class, do you prefer your riders tipped forward a bit, or sitting straight up?

Textbook correct headset, seen in open competition: The poll is level with the withers, the face is on or just slightly in front of the vertical, and the neck shows some flexion.

Arabian/Half Arabian trend seen at breed shows: Poll level with withers, neck shows a fair bit of flexion and arch, as is natural with the neckset and carriage of the breed. Face is vertical.

Stock breed trend seen in breed shows and some open shows: Poll tends to be lower than the withers, neck is more 'hung' than bascule (arched), face is on or just slightly ahead of vertical.

Posture and position in Hunt Seat Equitation: Your body should be just very slightly ahead of vertical, as is natural in an all purpose or close contact saddle. It's based on the traditional fox hunt, and it would be funny to see someone go over a fence sitting perfectly straight up! So sit where you feel natural, not excessively forward or in two-point (since you're not actually jumping), but not vertical either.

[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by PhoenixChica

When judging english classes, like equation to you judge on how the horse looks? Sometimes I used to feel like I did really good, but I was riding a little, fat paint gelding and the girl on the nice TB mare was always beating me...

And

What do you look for in a Hunter class? I show hunter U/S and O/F and I'm curious on what the judges look for. Do you judge on horses in this? [I don't ride the little fat paint gelding anymore though, so that's not why I'm curious ]

Equitation is based on the rider. So it's about your balance, posture, position, cues, and how you guide and maneuver your horse. You are expected to be safe and courteous (ring etiquette included!), and demonstrate proficiency. You may be asked to do a pattern to further test your abilities. The horse's performance is only taken into account as much as it reflects the rider's cues. So if your horse makes a mistake but you calmly and properly correct it, it won't likely hurt your placings.

Hunter Under Saddle or Hunter Pleasure are based on the horse's performance. The horse is judged on his gaits, movement, transitions, manners, and conformation generally counts for a small portion (10% is typical). He should look suited to the event (ie: look like a hunter!)... and suited to the rider. He should appear to be a pleasure to ride. Hunter O/F classes also take into consideration the horse's performance over fences-the jumping form and how nicely he negotiates the course.

[freedom32]

Ok, I have one for you--my daughters ASB mare in showmanship. She does not square in back, stands with one foot back like an arab. She does park out on command(was trained saddleseat at some point in her life). My daughter rides her HUS. Which would you rather see for inspection, the one back foot out, or parked out-keeping in mind that my daughter is dressed for hunter classes. Thanks Kim!

[Canadian Sage]

OK i have a question.

I do APHA and AQHA breed shows and I hear the judges like it when you wear makeup.

Now, I am not a makeup person, and I NEVER put it on when I am at the barn. I only put on eye shadow.

I haven't put it on at a show before, but was wondering, is it worth it? Do you like seeing people take time to put makeup on? Do you think its "rude" not to wear makup during a class?

[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by freedom32

Ok, I have one for you--my daughters ASB mare in showmanship. She does not square in back, stands with one foot back like an arab. She does park out on command(was trained saddleseat at some point in her life). My daughter rides her HUS. Which would you rather see for inspection, the one back foot out, or parked out-keeping in mind that my daughter is dressed for hunter classes. Thanks Kim!

Hey there! If you are showing in open shows, the split rear legs shouldn't be a big issue, but I'd definitely show with squared rear legs for ASB/gaited shows if you attend any of those.

[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by Canadian Sage

OK i have a question.

I do APHA and AQHA breed shows and I hear the judges like it when you wear makeup.

Now, I am not a makeup person, and I NEVER put it on when I am at the barn. I only put on eye shadow.

I haven't put it on at a show before, but was wondering, is it worth it? Do you like seeing people take time to put makeup on? Do you think its "rude" not to wear makup during a class?

This isn't a matter of judges liking makeup per se, and it isn't really much of a consideration in 'turnout' the way a clean saddle and well fitting clothes are... it's just common to see it, with reason. It's perception... dancers wear fairly exaggerated makeup on stage so the audience can see their features from a distance... makes their eyes look bigger, emphasises the smile etc. For the same reason, many women show horses with fairly 'overbaked' makeup to make their features visible from judge/audience distance. Up close some of them look like Vegas show girls, in bright lipstick etc, but from a distance it looks fine. So it's just a matter of preference. If you dislike makeup, you sure won't be marked down for not wearing it. If you want the judge to really see that smile etc, makeup doesn't hurt, just lends a little to the overall 'finish' of the picture. Personally, I despise lipstick so I wear mascara, a little eyeshadow and tinted lip gloss in the show ring.

[Canadian Sage]

great!

I have only started wearing makeup and I will probably start putting eye shadow on (just how I normally do it) and some lip gloss that has a bit of a shine to it.

[Canadian Sage]

Alrighty. I have another question that applies to 4-H shows only.

A few years ago, when I was still in 4-H my friend and I went to a 4-H show to represent our club.

We were in the western pleasure class and my mare started having a problem. I felt like I was riding a ticking time bomb and she was VERY uptight. I broke her down more than 5 times, and even kept her from one gait longer than a minute or so. Knowing I had blown my class already I went two handed to work her out of her problems, to try and calm her and try and get a good experience out of the class. THe class was packed (which may have caused some of her anxiety). We made it through OK but it was the worst ride I have ever had, and was just trying to calm her down.

The placings were called and I came in FIRST PLACE. Now, I KNOW there were riders better than me out there, whos horses stayed in the gaits they were asked, I was the only person there that was fighting my horse the whole time.

Of course, I was bewildered when I was called, and I looked into the stands and gave a look of, "what the heck am I doing getting first place?" I went to the judge after the show was over and asked him why I came first in that class, because I didn't deserve it. He told me because I handled the situation well, and he felt I had a good ride.....WHAT? A good ride? Thats far from it!!

Now, was he right to place me first because I corrected mistakes and tried to make the situation better than it was? Or was he in the wrong?

I DO know that he liked my horse, i heard many people tell me he did. And I was told by the organizer that 4-H is about learning things and ex.

But it still bugs me to this day.

What do you think?

Personally, if I were the judge (yes I know it was a 4-H show) I would have placed people who had a GOOD ride over a person who was trying to get her horse to relax, ex.

And not that it adds to the stuff, but that judged placed me first in ALL of my classes I did that day.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

^^I had something similar happen to me...I was in a jumping class and Fiona got too forward so I squeezed the reins and she broke to a trot right before the jump and then picked the canter up about a stride or 2 before the jump and we still ended first...