Bit of a moan - any showing judges on here?

[MurphysMinder]

Will try and keep this short but would be interested to know wht people think.
About a month ago was at a local show and a pony took off out of the showing ring (first ridden) and tanked it across show ground. It was stopped at another ring, with young child in tears (understandably). It was the only entrant in class, child was persuaded to go back into ring and was awarded 1st place.
Yesterday at another show same pony was again only entrant in first ridden . In its show it again took off and although it stayed in the ring did several laps at fast canter obviously out of control. Child did manage to bring it back under control eventually and was again awarded 1st place, which this time also qualified her for regional Riding Club Championships

To me this is wrong, I used to judge dogs, and if there was only one in the class and the judge felt it wasn't sufficiently good quality you were entitled to withhold the 1st place. Surely something similar is allowed in the horse world? Or is it just me being an old spoilsport

 

[miss_c]

I think some shows say that in their rules.... Depends on the show I guess!

 

[1275gta]

Personally if I'd been judging I would'nt have awarded the 1st prize or qualifier, I may have even asked her to leave the ring.

 

[TGM]

If it was an adult rider, then definitely would say a first shouldn't have been awarded. However, for a little child who was probably upset anyway by the pony misbehaving, then I can understand if a judge decided to still give the first rosette, but should have explained that really he/she was entitled not to, because of the pony's bad behaviour.

Definitely shouldn't have given it a qualification, on safety grounds alone!

 

[JS65]

I think it was good of the judge to give her the rossette, as it encourages the child to continue showing. BAD that the parent would put the child on such a pony, as it's not a one off and has done it before (not that the judge would know that though) but i wouldn't have given her the qualifier.

 

[Maggie2]

I'd have asked the secretary for a 'Special' rosette, the sort given for say 5th or 6th sometimes but is stamped with Special not a number, that meant her efforts had been rewarded, being so young, but not a 1st or a qualifier.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I understand what you say about not wanting to upset the little girl any more, although would seem she is getting used to the pony's behaviour, glad you agree about the qualification though. In theory this pony could now be advertised for sale as qualified for the Championships, and someone may buy it not knowing what its like.

 

[MrsMozart]

Yes to a rossette, simply as a well done for staying on!

No to a qualifier though - if pony is bombing out of the ring, then in my opinion it isn't a 'first ridden'.

Bad to parents for putting child on a pony that obviously isn't suitable as a 'first ridden'.

 

[Honeypots]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd have asked the secretary for a 'Special' rosette, the sort given for say 5th or 6th sometimes but is stamped with Special not a number, that meant her efforts had been rewarded, being so young, but not a 1st or a qualifier.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree with this.

Thats at least 2, 1st plpace rosettes that pony has to its name plus a qualifier. Whats to stop them selling the pony as a first pony and using the above to sell it. If I were a buyer I may think this pony is something that its not.

 

[LadyRascasse]

when i did in hand showing about a month ago, i did riding club horse and the horse awarded 3rd place reared and nearly landed on my mares back. my mare was placed 7th and last and she was an angel all the way round.

somethings don't make any sense to me but other than lodge an offical complaint there isn't alot you can do. i do agree about giving the child a specail rosette instead

 

[MrsMozart]

Oh yes, had forgotten about the Special rossettes! Would have said that one if I'd remembered.

Maybe a word to the organizers?

 

[MurphysMinder]

Glad its not jsut me, especially regarding the qualifier. There's another riding club show next weekend, might just try and watch the clas and if it is there and does it again will have a quiet word with someone. Hopefully won't seem like sour grapes as not competing against her. Incidentally, pony was being ridden in by an older teenager yesterday (I'd guess about 15) for quite a while before the class !

 

[Pearlsasinger]

The judge of the 1st class you saw should have given a 'Special' to reward the child for getting the pony back into the ring, really the pony had eliminated itself by leaving the ring. Unfortunately the 2nd judge compounded the problem but could have justifiably witheld the 1st rosette. I'm afraid that your 'quiet word' won't do any good, this very unsuitable pony has qualified now. The only consolation is that when it gets to the championships it won't show very well against the other true 1st ridden ponies.
IMO very dishonest and foolish parents!

 

[lauraandjack]

[ QUOTE ]
Incidentally, pony was being ridden in by an older teenager yesterday (I'd guess about 15) for quite a while before the class !

[/ QUOTE ]

I posted this as my pet hate on the thread the other day. This pony is clearly not suitable as a first ridden pony for this child! On the first occasion it bolts out of the ring, on the second occasion child obviously only kept it in the ring because it had been worked half to death by someone older first!

No way should it have been placed first or allowed to qualify! This is just encouraging the parents to keep on putting their child on an unsuitable pony. It's helping no one in the long run, as sooner or later the child will lose her nerve or worse still, get hurt.

 

[Theresa_F]

At the BSPA champs, the winner of the novice, bolted round the ring as they were about to hand out the rosettes - it was dropped to last - such a shame, but as the Judge said, it was very dangerous to do this.

Had I been the Judge in the first class and the pony left the ring, I would have not have awarded a place but a special.

In the second class, I would have given her the prize but not allowed qualification for the finals as this pony is a danger to other first riddens.