Anyone else feel my pain? (*Warning* poss a little sour!)

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Sheri

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Now I have competed in SJ, DR, Eventing, Endurance and never mind what place I come if any but stuff like this really winds me up.

I went ot a local show today with my 3/4 arab and entered the in-hand pre-veteran, I walked to the show as lorry off the road and arrived with plenty of time to enter etc.. The schedule said 9am prompt and my class was the first. At 9 there was an announcement that the class would start at 9:15 to allow more people to arrive - cool more grazing time for Sox!

At about 9:25 the class started and all 4 of use went in! Another came in about 5 mins later - not a problem as the judge was still waiting for the sheets. then when we all lined up another came in.

The individual judging/ shows started and when we were about 3 down a guy came in!! Now we're talking 15mins into the class that was already 25 mins late starting! If the class would have started at 9 he would have missed the entire class!!

Then the bloody guy took 2nd!! Ahhhh

I was called in 4th which I was over the moon about, however, following a discussion between judge and steward I was told 'oh sorry there's been a mix up with the scores I have to ask you to move down' To 6th!!! I was so embarrassed and gutted even the 2 pulled in above me looked a little embarrassed.

The reason... My arabs mane was plaited on the wrong side (something I can do nothing about) and I wasn't in a show jacket - I was in green cord trousers, brown boots, a shirt and tie and a brown country style v-neck jumper that complemented my tie and boots along with my hat. Apparently Sox's score had put him in 4th but me not being in a jacket dropped us to 6th :(

I was 1 of only 2 that had an in-hand bridle on, the late guy had his horse in a double bridle, he also didn't have a jacket on but a check shirt and waistcoat, he didn't even have his number on!!

I must admit I was totally disheartened and gutted I would have been more than happy with a 6th but the way it happened was horrible :( Showing and me are through!!

To me if you can't be bothered to turn up in time for your class then tough luck you've missed it - just like in Dressage.

Like I said I an feeling a bit sour but not because I didn't win or get placed higher just by the way it all happened :(

*goes off to eat chocolate and sulk!*
 
Hmm, sorry I disagree...you need to train your horses mane on to the right side (and trust me I know how much of a pain that is!!!!) and ye, you should have been wearing a jacket!

He may have been in another class and the judge knew about it. This happened in my last show.

Showing is unfortunately a world of its own though, and its a bugger! Dont be disheartened, try again, and thing of it as all good experience =] xxxx
 
I would be put out too.
I have judged at local shows as a favour for friends running them and I'm probably a bit of a cow compared to the judges you had today.
No one is allowed in my ring once I have put that rope across-I do allow 10 minutes grace though.
As for the jacket-as long as you look smart, have the appropriate 'safety' items on then whats the problem? Its inhand.
 
:( Sucks


However
Sheri said:
I was 1 of only 2 that had an in-hand bridle on, the late guy had his horse in a double bridle, he also didn't have a jacket on but a check shirt and waistcoat, he didn't even have his number on!!
Click to expand...

with the exception of the missing number, he was actually in correct turn out, alot of people who show inhand wear waitcoats instead of jacket, espesially if it's hot. And double bridles (or the horses bridle) are acceptable and correct for inhand showing, you don't have to use a specific inhand bridle.
 
Whole reason I don't like showing. With all the do's and don'ts, it is like an ambassador's dinner. You practically need a copy of Debrett's just to get you through.
Hard luck, but at least you know your horse is quality even if your outfit got the equestrian equivalent of Trinny and Suzannah!
 
Depending on the breed, a waistcoat is more than acceptable as correct turnout.
Letting people into the ring that late - assume the show was wanting to collect as many entry fees as possible - without enough income the shows will not run.
This is the beauty of local shows!!!
In VHS classes you are also marked on turn out (or certainly used to be) - so it may well be that you were put down for wearing a jumper. I don't know the current rules to be honest but that certainly used to be the case. VHS is a law unto itself and you are not allowed to wear earrings etc - lots of rules.

In hand bridles are not usually worn on older horses - you will usually see them shown in double bridles. Not all the time, but you will see more doubles in affiliated showing classes than in hand bridles on older horses. No idea what is correct for arabs though.
 
dont worry you wont have been the only one that it has happend to anyway you learn from your mistakes so go and ry again and hopefully youll do better
good luck x
 
I think I would feel rotten too thinking I'd got 4th and then being moved down. So while I'm sure the above posters are right and the judging wasn't unfair, it doesn't remove the sting of thinking you'd placed better only to be pushed down.

But try not to let it sour you. Showing is such a good experience and can be so much fun. You just have to foster a very philosophical approach to it. Some days go well, others don't. Take what you can from it, learn from mistakes and then move on. I always tried to think of it as competing with myself - trying to beat my own personal best and improve my partnership with my horse. That helped keep it fun.
 
Oh dear...you did have a bad time of it! I remember the first time I entered a showing class....I went out and bought a book on 'turn out' after that ordeal...the judge was very nice about it but it is embarrassing! Sadly showing, in all it's disiplines is a total law unto itself...I once did a working hunter class, jumped the only clear round and ended up 6 down the line with a cob winning it...and that had a cob workers class of it's own to go in! The reason...the judge didn't like the ride! Personally I think she was scared of my 16.3hh genuine hunter who was maybe a bit bored but polite about it! :0)) You need a thick skin for showing...and get to know who's who!!
 
I used to do a lot of local shows and sadly it wasnt what you know but who you know. The same person won every time in my class until 'guest' judges came and then they wouldnt even get placed. I even won on a few occasions.
I won once in a PBA class and I could here 2nd place moaning loudly to her mum so I could hear, thats not an Arab, its a TB. Hello, its PBA and my horse was an anglo with a very dished head.
I switched to Dressage with my new horse and guess what, unafilliated local dressage can be just as bad :D:D
 
Thanks guys I totally agree with all your comments and I must say they have made me feel a lot better :)

The more I think about it the more I think Sox must be mad at me - I'm sure he gave me a look when the judge said he was 4th put I pushed us down!!

The only thing I have to mention to totally get it all of my chest so I can ut it in that little box in the back of my mind is - The late guy wasn't in another class as there were only 3 rings and one had first ridden in it and the other had working hunter pony in it! He really was just late!! :lol:

But your all right next time (if I go!) I will be spot on with the rules so hopefully Sox will be proud of me!!
 
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