Any (inhand) showing judges? Opinions on 'how' to trot!

[Rudey]

I'm after some good old HHO quality advice please! Are you a showing judge, or abit of a showing pro? Would love to hear your opinions/experiences of performing a good trot inhand when in the ring for the judge...

I have a plaited and trimmed coloured youngster that is shown inhand. I have had feedback from various judges, and their advice has contradicted one anothers at times. Some prefer you to do a slow and steady to trot, thus showing control and manners. Whereas, some have said to run faster to show off a more impressive extravagant trot.

I do appreciate judges have their own preferences which differ from one another and it comes down to their personal taste, however, I'm interested to see if there is a 'majority' opinion out there. xx

 

[mrogers]

In my view, you need to show your horse at its best. If you can manage an extravagent trot without breaking or running flat then go for it.However some horses do start to dish etc when you step it up a gear. If you haven't mastered it, then its best to keep it slow and steady.

 

[blitznbobs]

Well, I'm an in hand judge but my speciality is Welsh Ds... so you can guess which side of the fence I fall on - the bigger the better as far as I'm concerned... I want to see the animal move. ('Obedience' and controlled paces IMO is for the ridden ring not the in hand ring) - unless the horse has no manners at all which is not acceptable of course.

 

[Rudey]

Thanks for the replies! I guess that is some fair advice there mrogers. To be fair you should present your horse at its best whatever that may be!

Blitznbobs, your response made me smile, as soon as I started to read what type of judge you were, I had an idea of your preference! I competed at the Ultimate Showcase of Champions last year, and there was a welsh in the youngstock. He was a big lad (possibly a colt), and by heck could he move. His poor handler had to leg it, god only knows how she kept up with him. His trot was so big and powerful! xx

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

In your individual initial run out, I'd like to see horse/pony moving & using itself well where I can see it from the side.

When coming out of line, I'd like to see both paces steady & well balanced going from & to me (and a straight line please ), and also straight on past - then once the horse/pony is not in line with the judge, then let the animal ping on a bit more from its hocks again where I am looking at the side view again.

Worked well enough for me as a competitor too

Good luck

 

[liannexsx]

personally i try to be as fit as poss (well make a wee effort) to be able to run. the bigger steps u can take the better as the horse follows this. i've found my latest younster i have to go like the clappers cos she is such a big striding filly. i think its being able to keep up with what it most natural for them.

 

[MissSBird]

With an un-broken youngster I'd definatly push for a little more extravagence - judges expect them to be a little bit naughty, and often like to see a little bit of life to them at this age. Obviously there's a limit to this; you don't want to show no trot at all.

When broken, I'd change tactics to create some obedience, as their now grown ups and should act like it. Once you've this mastered, push on for extravagence again, and find the edge. Often the best in-hand performances are the ones where the horse is almost about to go too far.

I had a trotter x show pony who had the most rediculously over the top legs I've ever seen. She routinely won in-hand veteran classes, even against huge beautiful hunters and riding horses, and I'm convinced it was because of the extravagence of her paces.

At higher levels I doubt the judges are so easily swayed, but my experience definately points towards controlled extravagence being very helpful

 

[Rudey]

Thank you for your intake on this TFF. From your comments, it seems that you like to see the best of both, as I understand it. Now that is food for thought - a great way to show the judge control and manners by being able to perform both ways! xx

 

[Rudey]

i think its being able to keep up with what it most natural for them.

That's a fair point to make Lianne. Although my lad is only 15hh, he does have a decent stride on him. I guess practice practice practice time for him and see what works best! xx

 

[Rudey]

With an un-broken youngster I'd definatly push for a little more extravagence - judges expect them to be a little bit naughty, and often like to see a little bit of life to them at this age. Obviously there's a limit to this; you don't want to show no trot at all.

Coincidently, Rox was in an open age coloured class yesterday. The wind was horrendous and he was an absolute angel. I expected him to leap about and kick out some shapes, but no, he kept a level head - I was uber proud!

Walked around the ring with other horses, waited his turn and had a controlled trot to the back, then they lined up waiting for the judge - perfect behaviour the whole time. Presented him to the judge, did his walk away, and when turned to do his trot, he shyed to one side from a heap of mud, straightened him up and then performed a straight nice even trot towards and past the judge.

He was placed 4th, which I didn't think overly much about, as the three higher placed horses were older and physically more filled out than him, bearing in mind it was not a youngstock class.

He then went before the same judge in best conditioned class and was placed 3rd, but the horse that had got 2nd in the coloured class previously came well below him in the placings of the latter class.

The judge said nice comments about him, and said if he hadn't have shyed in the coloured class, she would have placed him first! This judge clearly expected unflappable behaviour regardless of age.

When broken, I'd change tactics to create some obedience, as their now grown ups and should act like it. Once you've this mastered, push on for extravagence again, and find the edge. Often the best in-hand performances are the ones where the horse is almost about to go too far.

I had a trotter x show pony who had the most rediculously over the top legs I've ever seen. She routinely won in-hand veteran classes, even against huge beautiful hunters and riding horses, and I'm convinced it was because of the extravagence of her paces.

At higher levels I doubt the judges are so easily swayed, but my experience definately points towards controlled extravagence being very helpful

Thank you for your response Miss Bird. Your post was insightful. I love reading of others experiences. Hopefully I will master this showing malarky one day! xx

 

[Trolt]

Completely agree with TFF.

I'd aim for extravagance in the individual run. As big and flashy as possible without being out of control.
Then for the individual presentation it would be controlled to the judge, a nice controlled turn, and then push on a bit out of the corner to the rest of the line.

I also teach my lot to run with me (do quite a bit of it loose) so that they return to a walk when I walk, and never get further ahead of me than a head and neck. This means I can still present on a long rein. To me the horse looks out of control in a trot up when the handler gets mega left behind, or when returning to a walk and the handler is hauling on the mouth to get a response (have been there, done that though!! )) So I try and train it so that the horse responds to my pace, then I can control how extravagant (and get good at putting in a good sprint!) but know they will drop back or slow their pace when I do.

Saying this, I don't show very often, and only to a low level, so I may be barking up completley the wrong tree. I have, occassionally, judged at a low level and that is my preference in the show ring too: to see the horses true paces, but know they have ground manners too.