Dont you just love Local Shows and their judges

_daisy_

_daisy_

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Right - firstly im not having a go at any local judges that may come on here, just want to let you know how today went. But what is it with some judges where they think they must stamp their authority on you?
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Isnt showing for fun at local level?

Firstly the loading is going great.
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Not much pressure needed for her to go on the trailer this morning. She travelled like a dream and we got to the show in plenty of time. She stood quietly whilst I booked in and got ready - then decided to behave like a complete and utter pratt for me to mount (didnt help that I forgot my mounting box, so had to use a chair, yes I no not very safe - ive got a lovely burnt eye to prove it as she decided she didnt want to stand when I got on and flung herself around resulting in me coming off the opposite side!) She loaded like a start to come home which is the main thing
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, as most of you know my horse doesnt like to come home after weve been out places!
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So took her into the Ridden Youngster class - 7 4/5yo's in a smallish arena - fine can cope with that but all hell broke loose when the judge insisted on us all cantering at the same time - 4 of us in total went into freak mode. 1 rider said to the judge she didnt think it was right to get us all cantering around the ring together and the judges comment was "Im the judge and I want you all to canter, if you dont like it you can leave!" Then me and another rider got told off for standing at the bottom end of the ring, because we were waiting till the horses in front of ours moved out of the way!
We got pulled in line and off we went for our individual shows. Fine - nothing causing a problem. Chantin stood as though wed sedated her - maybe cos there were only 7 in the ring rather than the 20 in the last class I took her in! Only problem was a stupid cow of a woman on a little cob who kept barging at my horse and she wouldnt stop it so mine walked sideways in the lovely lady who was next to me
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Then judge set us back off in a group to trot round! just so we could warm up - we werent cold and neither were the horses
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, but never mind if thats what she wanted.
So comes to rosette giving. I got told that my horse needs to accept the contact rather than nodding her head up and down. I explained she got nervous and stressed, especially when on a long rein at a standstill, but I accept that she shouldnt do it (more so in a showing class) but I was trying to stop it with time. I got told I should repremand her and give her a good "kick" and a smack and make her go forward. When I explained I didnt want to anailate(sp?) the other horses/riders she started having a go at me, that I should do it and not care what happens to the other horses/riders, and then flung the rosette at me!

The rider she placed last was given a lesson after her show and then asked if she was looking at buying another horse because she wasnt doing her horse any justice and she certainly shouldnt be riding a 5yo. Im sorry but v harsh in my opinion - the lass rode her 5yo racer (who had been out of training 5 months) very well, she didnt argue or force her to do anything she was wary of - and she got told of for doing that.

So what was the judges problem. Why do they have to be like this?
 
Blo**y hell I am glad I didn't go - she sounds like she needs a personality transplant, talk about go out of the bed the wrong side!! Showing I thought should be fun, not getting slated? What happened to constructive critisism? Well done for going and not punching her in the face afterwards - need a rossette for that!
 
the judge's problem was thet her nose was soo far up her own backside she couldn't see what she was doing!!! the majority of people who judge are helpful and encouraging, but you do get the odd one or two pilacs! just note their name and don't go under them again, carry on an enjoy your showing!!
 
What a shame, I would have been cross too, the show ring is not the place for lectures, perhaps that particular Judge is always like that.

The trick is to mention (rather than complain) to the Secretary that you weren't happy with the Judges' attitude and regretfully you won't be showing under her again. If enough people do complain to the Secretary (I know, I have been one for several years) notice is taken and that particular Judge will not be booked again. Most local shows are fundraisers for something or other, and unhappy competitors mean that they won't be back and will be spreading the word.

I remember once that we had a Novelty Class Judge (walk in, walk round, line up, hand out prizes, total class time 10 minutes, tops) who insisted on all the ponies doing an individual show, for Fancy Dress/Most Handsome Gelding/Best mane and Tail etc
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As Secretary that day I got yelled at so much.......
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I didn't know the Judge would do that
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Needless to say, we never asked that one back
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OMG I'm going to my first show on Sunday and I'm already nervous, sounds like a right A***hole, not sure I'm showing material coz I often open my mouth first and think later, maybe stayin home might be a good idea lol.
 
constructive criticism ? whats that? she walked off and didnt even speak to the 6th & 7th places! they had to walk up to her after and ask for advice!
 
no well I probably wont but I need to get my girlie out so she behaves a lot better each time - it seems to be the worse of 2 evils with local showing!
 
no not the Hallamshire but that in itself causes enough problems - think lots of younsgters in hand, a judge wearing flipflops and a 12 year old steward!
 
thats the problem lilym at local level you dont get the judges name (or not from what ive seen) Thats the good thing about County level, if a judge doesnt like a certain type or colour you can keep an eye out and not enter if necessary. Im going to have to find out who she was.

She even asked a lady in a different class if she took lessons because she couldnt ride - she turned round and said that she was an AI! she soon walked off and said no more on that front
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the last show I went to they did the same thing with T&T etc. it mustve taken him over 1 hr to get round 8 horses!
Certainly wasnt much fun her telling me what to do - maybe I shouldve asked her to show me what I should do and throw her up on my horse?
 
get yourself to that show. Most judges are really nice and are so helpful, but then there are the odd ones out that really like to cause a fuss over nothing. Im hot headed/volatile but am learning to ignore stupid people like this and kick off at my mum outside of the ring and tell her what went off.

Mum said to my friend when the judge threw the rosette at me that she thought id upset her and woooops, never mind! lol
 
Oooer I do some local judging and often offer advice, but this woman sounds downright rude, also would not expect a group canter in Young Horse/Novice classes. Sounds as though this person was on a power trip - not a good way for a judge to be
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I wouldve thought it would be better all round just to walk and trot in the group and then canter on individual show - but this one was adamant what she wanted to do. THe 2nd time we had to canter I think only 3 did it!
 
Hello again!!!

Its me the - should you really be riding that horse, you can ride a bit but your not helping etc etc!! otherwise known as last.

That was the funniest class ever my friend was absolutely horrified. Granted mine was about as much use as a chocolate fire guard after all that cantering!!

My friend cane second in the senior equitation in the end and then we went home!!

Honestly i have been riding for 23years and i have never had a telling off by a judge like that one!!

I was goping to post then i saw yours and realised that could have only been our class!!

Yours looked lovely (stressy and a bit green ) but stunning how are young horses meant to learn how to behave at a show?? I liked the comment about so what if you wipe the class out etc and then her throweing the rosette at you!!

BTW the fat grey came 3rd in a class of about 9!!
 
hiya hunny,
you did bloody well in that class - you rode your mare lovely and to say shes only come off the track 5 months - well done.

But saying that I think you should really give up after 23 years of riding
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because that judge is really good at her job and can put everything in its place - either that or go and get another horse.
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Well done to your mate - her horsey was lovely (as was yours) Shame our class was like it was! Cheek of the judge not to give you or your mate any feedback until you asked though.

I watched that Ridden cob class - that cob has seriously got its gait affected by its weight is carrying. I heard that the judge had told her it was too fat - but whether she takes any notice of her who knows. Honestly though IMO it would do well and win if it didnt carry all that weight. Its gait and moevement would be amazing aswell.
 
We once stewarded for a working hunter judge who had all the kids in tears! It was a ponies UK qualifier and it was mayhem, and she went on all day. She did come back a few years later and was much nicer, I think she had some personal problems the first time round but it was awful.
 
god knows what her problem was today - maybe just that way out? maybe just wanted to see how many people she could upset/offend? who knows - not nice though in the slightest
 
There are those who can...and do, and then there are those who teach and/or judge ;p

Wouldn't pay any attention to it if I were you
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God! What a cow! Unfortunately you give someone who knows nothing a little bit of a boost up the ego by asking them to help out and judge at a local show and it goes straight to their heads. It is a not uncommon problem at little shows where the judges don't need any experience never mind having to be assessed by a panel of their peers. Take it on the chin - get more ring experience at this level and then take her under a 'proper judge' at a bigger show, you may not come top but at least you will have the benefit of being judged by someone who knows what they are doing (supposedly LOL!)
 
I would definitely speak to the secretary. You are paying money to have a nice day out with your horse, you don't need people telling you, you can't ride. At least you are able to laugh it off.
 
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