[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by 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.

Without seeing the class... I tend to agree with you from what you've said. There's certainly nothing wrong with a judge rewarding a rider for handling a situation well, and often a rider that might've blown the class will still place somewhere in the ribbons if they did a great job of fixing the problem. So in that respect, it's good. But it is unusual that what you describe as an awful ride, especially switching to 2 hands and intentionally breaking her down a gait, would still place at the top of a large class. It sounds like a judge who is maybe a little inexperienced... kind of over-emphasizing his support for your decision to correct your horse.

I personally applaud your actions, to do what was necessary to keep things safe for yourself and the other exhibitors as well as for schooling purposes so she didn't get the idea that she could be silly in a class. I also think it's very good sportsmanship to be objective and recognize that there may have been better rides than yours, even though you won the class. So don't let it bother you, it wasn't your decision. And you already know the most important thing - that you and your horse are capable of a better performance, so you can just concentrate on having a great ride next time.

[Canadian Sage]

thankyou for your reply!

The thing was, there was an open show the next day that I also entered and he wouldn't place me higher than 4th in anything but trail and horsemanship, and showmanship.

It was weird. And again, thankyou for your reply!

[morgangirl]

My daughter owns a morgan and has started showing hunt seat. Does a judge prefer to see a pelham used or is a snaffle bit okay? I think I got the names right. She shows at mogan shows and open shows with morgan classes. The horse seems to go better with just the snaffle bit but more and more people seem to be using pelhams.

[tweiderh]

I’ve pondered halter showing my 2 year old APHA mare, however she toes out a bit in the back. Her hocks are straight and she’s not cow hocked or anything just her toes go out. My question is whether it’s something I should attempt or if judges really dock a lot for toeing out. It’s not super bad, but noticeable.

[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by morgangirl

My daughter owns a morgan and has started showing hunt seat. Does a judge prefer to see a pelham used or is a snaffle bit okay? I think I got the names right. She shows at mogan shows and open shows with morgan classes. The horse seems to go better with just the snaffle bit but more and more people seem to be using pelhams.

In hunter rail classes it's perfectly acceptable to use various kinds of snaffles, kimberwicks, and in some breeds, pelhams. My own preference is to see a horse ridden and shown in the simplest equipment possible, so if a horse goes beautifully in a simple snaffle, I figure why complicate matters by going up to a pelham? That said, each breed has its own rules and trends. Check the AMHA or other applicable rulebook so you know exactly which bits are legal where you're competing; rule out any options that are considered 'obsolete' in Morgan trends, and then pick the bit your horse goes best in.

[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by tweiderh

I’ve pondered halter showing my 2 year old APHA mare, however she toes out a bit in the back. Her hocks are straight and she’s not cow hocked or anything just her toes go out. My question is whether it’s something I should attempt or if judges really dock a lot for toeing out. It’s not super bad, but noticeable.

Well, halter is all about conformation. So you will enter a halter class, knowing that your filly has this conformation fault, however slight, and a judge will certainly notice it too. Depending on the level of shows you've got in mind, depending on the mares she's up against, and depending on the rest of her conformation... especially if she's incredible apart from this one point... she may still place well. Take heart though, a slight toe-out behind isn't uncommon, and almost all young horses do go through some awkward, "ugly duckling" phases... the toe-out may become less pronounced as she grows and muscles up.

[Canadian Sage]

here is a good ole question for you:

Could you judge my fillies conformation for me? She would be shown in breed shows in Yearling halter this year. Would she do ok? I know she has some faults, but are there soo many that it wouldn't be worth my money?

I am SOOO sorry, but i realized I don't have any of her standing nice so i tried to find the ones that you could sort of tell from!







I will try and get better pictures! for now, thats all I have sorry!

[Grittman]

Okay..

I am now on a deserted island called Oahu, Hawaii. LOL.. My trainer is back home in Mississippi.. I plan on starting to show in Showmanship classes and honestly never learned the Pull turn? My filly was being trained for it but she stayed in MS and I have a middle aged ApHC coming here to live with me. Is there any great videos to reference out there that I can watch and learn from? I know the old style back up rotate on hind end pivot and believe it was the wrong hind foot that was being used for the pivot that has changed with the Pull Turn.

Do you like seeing a "Spur Stop"? I personally am not into the hype but out of curiosity since it is the new Hype in the WP arena and if the rider doesnt perform this are there consequences..

Last Question: this happened to me at DIxie Nationals last year. What if a JUDGE blatantly walks past you never acknowledges you and it is on video and walks past to judge two horses behind you? Now in perspective I have had previous remarks from this judge like ( why do you bother?) I paid the same money as the other competitors. My mare places well for her breeding considering.. he has never placed me even when I have placed and won the class under two judges.. What do you do as a competitor when this happens? Pay the 75.00 complaint fee so the judge is more ticked or ignore and avoid the shows he/she judges. I can understand if my mare was being unrulely but she was just standing there all square and quiet probably our best show? I guess I will never know! :~)

Do you judge in the states or Canada?

Thanks!

[Cowgirl1013]

I have a question about hand positions. I ride western with split reins. If I hold them in the left hand which side does the extra rein go on. Can I also hold the extra rein. Thanks

Katie

[Canadian Sage]

Originally Posted by cowgirl1013_7

I have a question about hand positions. I ride western with split reins. If I hold them in the left hand which side does the extra rein go on. Can I also hold the extra rein. Thanks

Katie

I can help answer your question.

The slack should go on the left side of your horse, or the side you are holding the reins in.

You CANNOT hold the extra rein unless you are using romel reins, then you are allowed to.