I know Showing is subjective but is this fair?

silvershadow81

silvershadow81

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Feeling slightly gutted about coming last in both our showing classes, but I understand that is showing but starting to loose all hope and confidence that it is fair!

Still trying to obtain a copy of the score sheet so that I know what areas I need to work on, but past experience has me doubtful I will ever get to see it (despite waiting at the ringside for the championships to end and being sent from tent to tent across the showground, only for them to disappear. I have since emailed and asked (as others have) on Facebook, so we will see)

I now see that someone who finished equal 3rd in my class puts on FB that her horse was lame from kicking the lorry on the way there? Out of interest, I then discover she is friends with one of the judges (as in tagged in photos friends!)

When I was in the ring I had asked the other judge for some feedback, and she said that she had put me top, so the other judge clearly really must have hated us for us to have moved down to last (well 7th!) My girl was foot perfect, immaculate and well mannered throughout, I am so pleased with her.

So really is there ANY point?!! Its expensive, receive no feedback so I can improve and im starting to feel that it really isn't a level playing field.

Sorry for the rant, feeling VERY deflated! :-(
 
Been there, had days like that!
The only advice I can give you is to take that one on the chin and try again another day. Of course that is easier said than done but at least you know you're taking the best horse home! (Actually had a day along those lines yesterday and spent most of the evening drinking wine to deal with it which is another excellent coping strategy)
 
Was the horse pulled in 3rd lame in the ring? As any lameness may not have shown up for a couple hours or even the day after. But it is definitely discouraging if the horse was lame in its class and still pulled in 3rd instead of being asked to retire from the ring.

Its a shame you can't get the feedback back you have been asking for. I echo abbijay and say to just try again another day, every judge is different as you will have gathered, and I'm sure things will look up for you both if you keep trying your best.
 
I'm not keen on showing. It is just a beauty pageant.But if it makes you feel any better I took mine once and she was immaculate, I got a tack and turn out prize out of about 30 people. She was always very slim and fit when younger and hard to keep weight on, but was healthy/athletic. I took her in an in hand best condition class and the judge just pulled a face at her at asked 'is it a working pony?' (If she means do I ride her, I guess 'yes' so that's what I said). Judge told me 'well she'll never look best condition then '. I came second from last (last was a TB) and all the horses at the top were overweight cobs. The person who won was wearing trainers!
Now my horse is older and in a huge grass field she's a right fattie,perhaps if I go again this will be considered good condition?!
 
You don't say what level you are showing at OP, although I am guessing county level if you are chasing your mark sheets. I tend to finding riding club type shows tend to favour members even if as an outsider you are on the best horse. I am sure this is to stop people 'pot hunting' but also to encourage membership of said club. Sometimes at this level the judges are not all that familiar with what they are judging.

County level tends to work on a marking system and judges should be following breed / type guidelines. The best thing to do would be to try to get to some clinics or lessons with a producer so you can understand what the judges are looking for and how you should be presenting yourself and your pony. The other thing to do it make a note of judges you go well for and those who don't appear to like your pony. Then avoid the shows & classes where those judges are present.

For instance my horse always goes better for a male ride judge so where possible I try to find classes with a chap riding, just to try and maximise my chances. Competing is expensive and there is no point in paying your entry fees and spending all the time and effort preparing if you KNOW a judge doesn't like your pony.
 
I never did showing again after my working hunter horse, won a lot I may add, lost a class because she was chestnut and the judge just preferred a bay to win as she told me in my feedback after the class. This was quite high profile show too. I have no interest in it anymore.
 
joulsey said:
Was the horse pulled in 3rd lame in the ring? .
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Yes, her comment says the horse kicked the back of her wagon really hard on the way there

Im going to keep pushing for some kind of feedback! Abbijay I think we may have been at the same show on different days? (Cheshire County?) Thank goodness for wine!
 
KautoStar1 said:
You don't say what level you are showing at OP, although I am guessing county level if you are chasing your mark sheets.
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Yup this was second round veterans, so always a mixed lot in the ring, so personal preference does come into play often, just miffed that it is all made so obvious and feels like there is absolutely no chance whatsoever. I've started the list of 'fair' judges but coming to this all new I don't have years of experience to draw on (or maybe a name or a producer/ judge to be connected too!)
 
Kicking the lorry on the way there can result in lameness several hours later instead of immediately so unless you saw that the horse was lame in the class then you can't really complain.
My lad kicked the lorry realy badly on the way to 1 show this year, he was sound for the novice class but not for the hoys class! Novice class was within an hour of us arriving hoys was 3 hours after novice.
 
ester said:
Ah well, veterans is a whole different ball game by all counts!
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I never ever judge veteran classes, minefield ! all differing types, heights, colours etc. The only common denominator is age. Impossible to please exhibitors or even give sound advice.
 
I have only done small, unaff, in hand showing (horse doesn't really have the temperament for ridden showing, and I don't have the skill to ensure he stays being ridden while in the ring!) but my horse is a STUNNER, anytime he doesn't win its only because the judge is so jealous that he belongs to me not them. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.....
 
Once watched a Veterans class where a horse, who the rider couldn't even get in to canter was placed above a foot perfect pony, and we just stood on the sidelines with our mouths open (we were spectators and no connection with class). Certainly would never try to place a veterans class!!!!!
 
I think veterans is a very difficult class to judge as I don't think there is a set standard of guidelines, is the judge looking for best condition and a good show and also having to take into consideration if a horse is true to type and it's age. Thereby making it possible for say a 30 year old horse in good condition, true to type but didn't canter able to beat a 15 year old pony with less than perfect conformation that does a foot perfect show. I suppose it depends what weighting is put on each element.

It is going to take a very knowledgeable judge to be able to have the expertise to judge all types and breeds of horses and ponies.
 
I was doing a county ROR class and the horse that won actually kicked the judge! Knocked him over! However it was being ridden by a famous showing person so it still won. What a joke.
 
Judging affiliated veterans isn't hard - you know exactly who is going to win! It's all mapped out for the year during winter.

Veteran showing is even more corrupt than normal showing.
 
I took my horse to a local show as a baby and took her in the best condition young stock. Small class of 6 of which two were really really ropey. We came last so I asked the judge what I could do to improve as seriously confused. She replied "umm err, she's got long pasterns" WTF :eek3:

Needless to say under affiliated Judges we won and got placed several times at County level... No other judge ever mentioned her pasterns:biggrin3:
 
Best comment my niece had once at a RC show was "I love your horse, he is really nice and went beautifully, but I have to place X first as I know her.....!" The judge was actually a well known showing person not just a random RC 'off the street job' too.
 
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