Fence Judging - When / Where / How?

Neptune

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Hello

I was just wondering if anybody was able to give me some info on fence Judging at BE events.

How do i get into this? and what is involved when you actually do it?

Any info would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks :)
 
I fence judged for the first time last year - at Bicton. I just emailed and offered my services as simple as that.
On the day there is an early meeting where instructions are given - they are quite detailed. Lunch is handed out and off you go to your allocated fence.
It was a very educational day. It was also quite full on, not much time for breaks but very enjoyable.
 
Contact your local BE events and offer most will be very happy to make use of you, they will usually keep a list and contact you when required, I help at one several times a year, they run 3 BE events so are always short of helpers, sometimes they need stewards or dressage writers if you are happy to do other jobs they will really appreciate it.

They will brief you on the day, we get plenty of food and drink handed out with regular visits from someone to check all is well, you should be paired up if fence judging so it is not too difficult to pick up things as sometimes the unexpected, someone missing the fence for example, can happen.
 
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There's information on the BE pages under volunteering, they also offer training. If you contact the organisers of events local to you they will probably be only too glad to have volunteers. Each morning of the event fence judges are briefed by the TA and the Controller plus you're given handouts of the current rules on run out rules, alternatives etc.

What you actually do is sit in your car within sight of a fence and take the time that a horse passes a marker (set up by you with advice from the TA if required) on its approach to the jump, you watch the horse over the jump, note down the time and record any penalties on a duplicate pad, the top sheet of which will be collected by the score collectors. You also need to make sure that the public are aware that there is a horse on its way to and from the fence so that they can be kept (or made to get) out of the way by blowing a whistle at them. You may be required to radio through to Control "(number) clear fence X" or whatever. You are also responsible for making Control aware of any problems at your fence and providing first line assistance to any fallers until the specialists get there.

The organisers will provide all kit needed to do the job, you need to provide a car and clothing for all four seasons! Most organisers will feed you but I tend to take my own tea and coffee-making kit plus grub.

It is a fun day out. Incidentally there's an FB BE Volunteers page and I note that they wree recently advertising for volunteers for Brigstock International at Rockingham Castle.
 
Please come and live in New Zealand. We cry out for fence judges every time we hold a horse trials, both at ESNZ level and at NZPCA level. Our local Pony Club decided not to hold their annual ODE this year as they can never get enough fence judges.

It's so easy to get into, as others have said, contact the organisers and offer your services.
 
Thanks all. Will check out when the next event is close to me and contact them. As long as they don't mind that I have never done it before!

Just really want to learn more of the rules to the cross country side of eventing so thinking this is a good way to learn

Tnavas -- I would love to come and live in NZ! lol. Shame that they have had to cancel events as just not enough volunteers.
 
I did some fence judging last season and had a great time so I decided to go to the training a couple of weeks ago at Wellington as I've already been asked to volunteer again. The training session I went to was packed - at least 30 people there. Some of whom were complete know-it-alls and are clearly wasted as fence judges - they should be technical advisors or course designers. But most people were great and just wanted to know what was expected of them.
 
Check out the BE calendar and email the organisers of your local events! Simple as that really. If you tell them you haven't done it before I'm sure they can pair you up with someone experienced for your first event. If you're NW based then you're more than welcome to come and join us :)

I only started FJing at the start of 2012 - we went to a training session at Somerford Park which was really useful. I think the 2014 trainings have probably all been and gone now but you'll be given a full briefing at the start of the day of the event about how to use the radio, score any problems etc so you'll be fine :) It's a full-on sort of day and you do need to keep your concentration up but it's great fun.
 
I did some fence judging last season and had a great time so I decided to go to the training a couple of weeks ago at Wellington as I've already been asked to volunteer again. The training session I went to was packed - at least 30 people there. Some of whom were complete know-it-alls and are clearly wasted as fence judges - they should be technical advisors or course designers. But most people were great and just wanted to know what was expected of them.

I was at the same training session as you (although my attention was wandering to the jumping lesson in the indoor school). The people you refer to actually judge at a phenomenal number of events every year and probably could give the TA a run for his money. Yes, they can be bit irritating, but they are really valuable to BE. Btw, the people who owned Walk on Star and the Billy mare that was lost to leukaemia recently were also there. Some people who fence-judge really do know their stuff. Unlike me, I hasten to add!
 
Don't forget to take wet weather gear, any easy seat to carry around so that you can sit during the day. Food and Water as well. Have warm clothing on hand too, and sun screen. Note dressing you for all weather conditions. :D Nothing worse than finding you are in a shady or windy spot and have to spend your whole day freezing.

At some fences you may be able to take a car which you can then sit in. It's great fun.
 
Thanks all. Think the most events that people mentioned where they are already advertising for help are based up north. I am down south, so bit of a distance! lol.

Are you paired up with someone on the day? As I notice at the majority of events there is more than one person at each fence. Or can you take a friend along with you and both be at the same fence?

Thanks all :)
 
Thanks all. Think the most events that people mentioned where they are already advertising for help are based up north. I am down south, so bit of a distance! lol.

Are you paired up with someone on the day? As I notice at the majority of events there is more than one person at each fence. Or can you take a friend along with you and both be at the same fence?

Thanks all :)

Don't be put off by that! I haven't known an event turn away volunteers, so it's still worth ringing/emailing the organisers of your local events. Let them know your circumstances - yes, most people do rock up on the day in pairs already but I'm sure they'll match you up with some nice, experienced people if you ask. Or bribe a pal with cake so there are two of you! :D
 
Most events are happy for you to bring a friend, if it is your first time, they will often either pair you up with someone, or put you on a really simple non reporting fence. Have a look at the schedules on www.bdwp.co.uk Pick the events near you and have a look at the schedule, often the organisers will put a note on the event page on bdwp if they are looking for helpers. Depending on where you are in the South I know Tweseldown are usually looking, and i think Munstead might be as well. Send an e mail to the organisers, most of them will bite your arm off for keen volunteers!
 
Ideally you need two people at a fence for health and safety reasons, however it is possible to do it on your own IF you know what your doing!
 
Where abouts are you? Aston Le Walls are still looking for people for this weekend (Fri-Mon) They are a really friendly bunch there & full training is given. They also give you lots of food, including cake! Plus a schooling voucher that can be used in the new XC arena.

I'm hoping to do Monday afternoon & i'll be on my own so come & join me if you can? I can give you Tom's number if you PM me, sure they'd be very grateful.
 
I did richmond 2 last year I enjoyed it
... we got bacon sandwiches before we started, constant tea/coffee brought round, endless sweets & a huge lunch which could have fed 2 people!
Im doing helen bells (breckenbrough) on the 13th april looking forward to it
 
I fence judged at smiths lawn a few years ago, over by the memorial (fence 17 or18 I think) Had loads of rowdy kids distracting horses . Soon sorted that one out ! Spotted the ringleaders and recruited them to spot rider numbers as they came up the straight ,from the water. They made my life so much easier and I think they went home having learned a thing or two . They wernt horsey kids but I do suspect they learned some respect for eventers.
 
Good on you. Hope you have fun . It is a great contribution to the sport of eventing . Yuo are as important as any competitor!
 
Thanks all. Think the most events that people mentioned where they are already advertising for help are based up north. I am down south, so bit of a distance! lol.

Are you paired up with someone on the day? As I notice at the majority of events there is more than one person at each fence. Or can you take a friend along with you and both be at the same fence?

Thanks all :)

Did you just volunteer Neptune?? Good on you.

We have to provide a helper for each and every event we do over here. Each jump judge has a rider they are doing the helper duty for. If the helper doesn't show up, their rider gets eliminated.

Tnavas, there is one way you could get you multiple people on a jump :)
 
HazyXmas - That would be good, but Aston is 2 hours drive from me. So not my closet event, what sort of start time is it normally for the day? Mind you makes it 4 hours driving by time I drive home aswell. :(

NaeNae - not volunteered as yet, Stll looking at the schedule as to which weekend I can do around my own Horse comps.

Im quite looking forward to it now as others stories seem to be an enjoyable and successful day. Sure a friend would be up for it also so could make it a fun day out :)
 
Just emailed Munsted for the 22nd, fingers crossed. My voluntering has begun! lol :)

I'm dressage writing at Munstead so may see you there.

Also, if you want an extra body to fence judge with drop me a pm, I'm in the south and off games atm with a broken leg so am intending to do lots of volunteering to keep me busy :)
 
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