Coloured shetland ponies and judges

[meleeka]

I am beginning to think showing and in particular inhand showing is very unpredictable indeed. Some of the judge's choices in classes Ive watched at local level just don't seem justifiable. All that effort, plaiting, washing, chalking, travelling and it's a complete lottery who wins - no feedback, no tips on how to improve. I watched a TSR show the other day and they marked the horses by different categories out of 10, then added up to find the winner with most points and then published scores so evryone could see. Surely that would be better and people could see why they came where they came.

Yes I agree. If you want a good day out then go, but it’s essentially one persons opinion on the day so you’ll rarely get the result you think you should.

The only time this hasn’t applied was at a large show I spectated at. I was fascinated at a particular class where all the ponies were bay and looked identical at first glance. All the young riders also had the same attire on, red ribbons and brow bands. I did feel sorry for the judge having to decide placings for twenty identical combinations who were all impeccably behaved!