[ridegrrl]

Have a question about horseshows or competing? Ask it here!

I sometimes get PM's requesting a "judge's perspective answer" about various subjects... so since I'm not always online to see those threads, here's one place that I will be sure to check. To get the most helpful answer, try to be specific with your question and the discipline/class/event that it refers to.

Disclaimer: There is always some degree of 'opinion' in competition, and I cannot speak for other judges!

However, I am a certified horse show judge. If somebody needs a hand, I'd be happy to share some tips and insight into the judge's perspective with HGS members, and shed some light on exactly what we are looking for as we place each class!

Here's to a fun and successful 2006 show season!

[icyssunset]

Where do you like to see the extra hand put in a western pleasure class?
How do you like the toes pointed in a western pleasure class?

[ridegrrl]

Free Hand Position

You're right, free hand position does follow trends. There are several places that you can hold it that are correct.

If you are showing with romel reins, your free hand should be held on your thigh, with a minimum of 16" of romel between your reining hand and your free hand.

If you're showing with split reins, you have more options. Your free hand is always closed. You can rest it on your thigh, or hold it comfortably near your belt buckle. More commonly, the trend right now is to hold your free hand upright (with thumb on top as though you were holding a champagne glass) in front of your hip and roughly over the pommel of your saddle (if your free hand is your right, then hold it in front of your right hip). This puts it fairly close to where it would be if you were riding two handed, and that keeps your shoulders and body square.

With either style of reins, if you choose to place your free hand on your thigh, be aware of your shoulders - having one hand in front of the horn and the other on your leg creates a tendency to twist the upper body and let one shoulder fall back.

Wherever it's held, the free hand should never touch the horse or equipment while you're being judged.

Lower Leg / Foot Position

Your toes should point forward, in any class. It's a little awkward, and they may not be perfectly straight, but if the judge watches from directly in front of your horse, your toes should point forward towards him/her. That's something I check in equitation classes!

Allowing the toes to point outward rolls the entire lower leg out of position, and then balance and cues are affected. If the rider happens to wear spurs, it also means that the horse doesn't get the leg aid, just the spur, and that's incorrect. Keep toes forward so that the horse feels the whole inside surfaces of the upper thighs, then the knees and lower legs, rather than just a poke in the belly from the heels of the rider!

[Sissy]

Have you juged halter?

[ridegrrl]

Yep, which breed have you got?

[Sissy]

I'v got a Line Back Dun BS paint...would u mind jugeing whinnie...i whant to show halter but i dont know if she gots what i takes

[ridegrrl]

Sure, I'll give you my thoughts on her conformation. It's hard to really evaluate a horse without seeing her movement, but feel free to post some pics of her. Side, front and rear shots would be great if you have them.

[Sissy]

Okay thank you!

hear you go sry thare not the best...
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[IMG]../pictures/files/8/2/5/8/000_0034_thumb.jpg[/IMG]

[Quiggles]

You are very kind for offering us this.

What kind of judging do you do? english? western?

Im not sure your help would be very benifical to me because australia showing is just so different to american but im sure you will be able to help a lot of people on this forum.

[ridegrrl]

Okay, looking at overall balance first, your horse is pretty level (correct) from wither to hip, and she is well porportioned, comparing her shoulder to her hindquarter. Her shoulder might be just a touch steep in angle from wither to point of the shoulder, but that could be just the way she's standing so don't worry too much about that. Her neck is nicely set, tying smoothly fairly high into her chest. I like the general shape of her hindquarter ( can you imagine what a non-horse person would think, as I'm saying I like your horse's butt? )... and I'm referring to the structure, more than muscling... correct angles from point of hip to point of buttock, and point of buttock to stifle joint.

From the rearview, her tail is in the way a little but her hind legs appear to be straight, and the width across the back at the stifle level is greater than the width at the top of the hip (that's a good thing!). If we're going to be really picky, it looks like she might be standing just slightly toe-out, but again, she could just be standing lazily and not as square as possible.

A big plus is that her forearms and gaskins carry good muscling and width all the way down to her low-set knees and hocks... lots of power stored there. Low hocks and knees also mean short cannon bones, and that's desirable too, for pretty movement and for soundness.

Lastly, she's got a lot of eye appeal with that gorgeous flashy colour, bold blaze, and matching socks. All in all, I'd definitely say you could show her in halter!

Like other events, there are levels in halter classes from beginner right up to world championships. If you learn the class rules and watch the pros, you'll pick up lots of tips for training her, conditioning her, grooming her for show, and how to present yourselves in the ring. Check out the excellent posts by HalterGirl88 right here at HGS, that'd be a great place to start! Good luck.