[Just.Jump.It]

I HATE them. We had a show yesterday, and ALL of the Arabians got LAST in every single class. (Every other horse was a QH) I rode an Arab, btw. The thing is, most of the Arabs had better rides then all of the QH's! What are your thoughts on them?

[prairienights]

What were you showing in?

I've never shown, so I can't speak from experience. I can see how that would be really frustrating, but in some disciplines like hunters and HUS and western pleasure, etc...judges are looking for a certain image. An arabian will not look like a quarter horse in a western pleasure class just based on their conformation, movement, etc. If a judge is looking for the QH-type look, then I can see why arabians would be placed last. Even if they had a technically great ride. How do you think a quarter horse would place in a saddleseat class?

[Ix3Morgans]

It really isnt fun showing under biased judges.
But I understand that some judges only understand certain conformation and performance of a certain breed and prefer it simply because that is what they know best.When I find a biased judge I simply remember their name and if I see they are judging at a show ,I dont go.

You know you had a good ride and thats just as important as getting a ribbon.

Perhaps you could find some arabian shows in your area? That way you know the judge will understand arabians

[Just.Jump.It]

I see your points, but get this: He used to show Arabians! That is just CRAZY! And also, he was placing the the BEST QH's last. (Just to give you an idea, they held world titles on the QH circuit)

I was showing HUS, but he was doing it in ALL the classes. EVEN the ARAB ones! Grrr.

I have to show this circuit of shows, because the ones that qualify can got to state. And plus we only have one Arab show a year, and I already show there, lol.

[KristinJ]

One of the reasons I don't show and I don't take it seriously when I do, unless its stadium jumping, or dressage. Especially smaller shows, it's SO Biased, on breed, color, wealth, who knows who etc. Quite sad, but it's just that way.

I was going to get some standardbreds (people are always offering me free ones) to train to ride and then sell but unfortunately they are looked down upon in the show world so I doubt I would profit any ...

[BlingRacer]

If you go to a show, check and see what "rules" it is under.

If it states APHA or AQHA, I would not take an Arabian, as an Arabian does not perform to APHA standards. It's not "bias" so much as the fact that if you are judging by stock horse standards, even the greatest Arabian is "incorrect". Just because it says "open" show doesn't mean you're going to be judged by YOUR breeds standards.

Now if no association was specified, then you have a valid complaint....Just depends on what the show bill said.

[xlilxonex]

So he was placing all the arabs last as well as the top qh's?

Doesn't make sense.....

[Just.Jump.It]

Originally Posted by xlilxonex

So he was placing all the arabs last as well as the top qh's?

Doesn't make sense.....

That's what most of us were saying. He was a really WEIRD judge.

[BlingRacer]

That doesn't really sound like breed bias to me. More like just weird judging.

[Just.Jump.It]

Originally Posted by BlingRacer

If you go to a show, check and see what "rules" it is under.

If it states APHA or AQHA, I would not take an Arabian, as an Arabian does not perform to APHA standards. It's not "bias" so much as the fact that if you are judging by stock horse standards, even the greatest Arabian is "incorrect". Just because it says "open" show doesn't mean you're going to be judged by YOUR breeds standards.

Now if no association was specified, then you have a valid complaint....Just depends on what the show bill said.

I don't have a copy of their rule booklet right now, but I think its AQHA to my knowledge/memory. The thing with that though, is that one AQHA judge that judged there one time placed all the Arabs firsts in the classes.