Anyone ever trained as a BSJA Judge?

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MrsMagoo

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As it says really...after doing some writing for a local judge i found it really interesting and thought it would be good to get into, and also I would be able to help our RC with shows etc. I've contacted the local rep who is sending out some paperwork etc, but has anyone ever had any experience of this...

Thanks
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Yes, I am an Associate. I basically did what you have done and contacted the area rep. I then sat on 6 or so times with a couple of judges at shows, learning the ropes. Once I had done that, two judges had to write recommendations to show that they are happy with you.

You can then stay as an associate, where you will always have a full judge working with you, or after a year, take your exams and become a full judge. You will also need to spend a day with a course builder. There are annual judges conferences which you are encouraged to attend.

I really enjoy it and its a great way of giving something back to the sport. You get paid expenses of about £40 so dont do it if you want to earn money from it!

Good luck with it.
 
Yes I am a BSJA judge (and on the Kent Area Committee too). We are seriously trying to recruit judges and course builders in Kent, so I'm pleased to hear that you are interested.

As Merlotmonster has said, you need to start with sitting at shows and just observing and being taught the ropes - you have a minimum of 6 of these to do, but you'll probably need more.

After a period of (non-paid) training, you have to ask at least 3 of the judges that you've judged with to write letters of recommendation to the Area Rep, who will then get it agreed at committee level. This is then sent to the chairman of the judges, who will agree it, which then means that you will become an associate judge.

After a minimum period of 1 year (you'll need longer), you can take your judges exam to become a full judge. This consists of a written paper (where you are allowed your rule book) and an Oral exam where you are asked a range of hypothetical situations, and you have to answer how you'd deal with them. After you've passed these, you have to do a day with an advanced course builder, and you can then be accepted as a Full judge.

You are also obligated to attend a judges conference once every four years. Both of the judges conferences that I've been to were in Essex (Norton Heath and Towerlands).

It's definitely not a job you do for the money - it has to be a labour of love, and there are times where it is absolutely miserable, where you are wet, cold, tired and still trying to concentrate on the show ring!

PM me if you want some more help, and I can arrange for you to sit in with me at either Cobham, Limes, Duckhurst or Blue Barn, and then you'll get a good idea of what's what and you can see if you want to take it further.

Susan
 
oh wow what a good idea - i would love to do something like this but just feel that at the moment i wouldnt have enough time to give !!! maybe when i give up work x
 
Thanks Susan...all sounds very interesting. No I wouldnt do it particulary for the money but as a weekend thing and if you get paid eventually it could be nice lol..

I sat and wrote for Julia Palmer the other weekend which is when i discussed it all, she seemed to think I would do quite well
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Thanks for your over of letting me sit in hehe, you may well be hearing from me soon
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Becky
 
At the risk of being yelled at, how difficult is it be a SJ judge? The pole is either knocked down or it isn't and the electronic timing device sorts the other aspect out...
 
[ QUOTE ]
At the risk of being yelled at, how difficult is it be a SJ judge? The pole is either knocked down or it isn't and the electronic timing device sorts the other aspect out...

[/ QUOTE ]

I take it you've never seen the rule book then
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Its fairly hard! you have to concentrate for hours on end and there are many rules that you probably wouldnt realise until it comes up! You also have to try and sort out which horse is in as many people give you the wrong number etc etc. Try and sit in for a few hours then you will realise!

The timing doesnt start itself either....
 
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