[Lou3]

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

Belle, I noticed you mentioned something about spooking and judges taking that into perspective......but how can they when the horse should be under control 100% of the time? Are you suggesting if a horse spooks and another doesn't? They can still win the class even if the other horse clearly won because of NOT spooking, (everything else the same)?

I think i understand what Belle means. If someone who is not in control has ridden right into your horse and your horse jumps it would be unfair to be penalised for someone else's mistake. I have also seen people deliberately waving umbrellas at opposition horses from the side of the ring in order to make them spook. This is also unfair and should not result in being penalised. This is similar to the point i made about judges asking problem horses/spectators to leave before commencing judging.
Lou

[Blistering Winds]

I understand what she is saying, but even so, like Sandra said, a show horse should be PREPARED for BS stuff like this. Blister wouldn't bat an eye if someone pulled stuff on the side line (unless they brought in a deer, then we got issues).

But then again, there is a horse directly behind that horse who DOESNT spook from the unbrella. What is fair is to toss out the WHOLE CLASS because if it happens on one side of an arena, it can spook a horse on the opposite side, but if theydon't spook, they are BETTER show horses than the one that did.

And i can tell you now, if a horse literally PLOWS into another horse, the judge usually doesn't judge that unlucky horse at that particular time. They aren't THAT mean. But if they spook when another horse freaks out, or if they stop or change gaits and the horse has not physically touched them, then the rider of that horse should continue on, avoiding a disaster, and continue showing. If a horse is THAT out of control, the judge usually calls a halt to the class until the offending horse is removed. Then judging is continued.

But no, if a horse spooks, that should be taken into consideration. Also, new rules in AQHA shows, if you are seen attempting these acts, you, your family, and your horses will be asked to LEAVE THE SHOW IMMEDIATELY. Whether you are showing at that moment or not. So things are being set in motion to get rid of these cheaters. But make sure your horse is READY for them, because I guarantee you'll place better if they are.

[ridegrrl]

To address your question belle4, I'm a fairly new judge (last I heard, the youngest in the province), certified (since 2002) as a Provincial Judge. I am qualified to officiate at shows within British Columbia, including Pacific Rim competitions. I am governed by the rules of Equine Canada. This would be equivalent to your USAE rulebook.

As for class specifications, open breed shows here are judged by Equine Canada (formerly CEF) rules - not any one breed association's rules.

My next goal is to go to Scottsdale AZ for my International Judge's school, and work on my National/International qualifications - they are a simultaneous process that takes a minimum of 2 years.

Thanks all, for your responses. I'll use that feedback, to be the best judge I can be!

[sugy_rae]

okay, i really like it when judges tell you something about yer ride in the line up, so stay with that idea, and then also, i ride at small shows so i have like the same competition in every class. don't pick out one horse and give it 1st place all day long. when the horses come in for a class, act as though you've never seen it before. if one competitor has a really good ride that seems out of ordinary for them, give them what they diserve for that ride only, not an average of the day.

[Super Step]

Character and knowledge, in that order. If a judge has character then he will judge the class as he/she sees it.

I could care less how much the judge knows or has won. If they do not have the guts to make the correct call, I have no use for them.

[ridegrrl]

Interesting. Character is vital, I agree. Sounds like you've experienced some controversial competition SuperStep. May I ask what you compete in?

[denise davis]

Sounds like you already are. One thing I would add... my land owner is an ex-judge, she still does it once in awhile, her grown daughter leads a group of 4H kids with foals (4 yr projects) and this year they were furious because the judge was rude and had a lot of terrible comments which she shared with the kids....such as: why did they even come if they weren't ready and their horse didn't know what it was doing... I think a good judge can give criticism to a child and make that child want to work even harder for the next year, not send them out of the arena in tears.
When I was 16 I had an extremely ugly TB/appallosa...big head little butt. But wow could he run and you could shoot from the saddle... I showed him in my 4H showmanship class. Afterwards the judge came up to me and said I should show him in a different type class, showmanship wasn't really for him. She didn't embarrass me and honestly, I did it for the experience for me not him. I didn't show him again. We went and did and found running after coyotes in the prairie much more fun.
My 12 yr old son showed in the BLM expo last yr. First year riding, horses first year and they are looking forward to next yr. I hope he has judges as unbiased since he competes against one of the judges kids!

[Mopper]

What makes a good judge?

I think the number one thing is to know the rule book and know it well. I have shown under some judges have given me tips or have done things that totally contradict what it says in the rule book.



However I am sure you are aware of all the rules. You seem like a very knowledgeable judge.