Is this 'fair'?

H4flinger

H4flinger

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Hi, I don't normally post but I'm slightly annoyed at this situation and want opinions. Basically, I have a rising 3 y/o mare and, with the help of my instructor, am taking her to her first show purely for experience as I am fully aware she has far from perfect conformation although I do believe many of her faults will get better as she matures. That being said, the judges are two amateur people from my yard who have little to no experience and as a joke my mum said to be kind to her, with them saying that they would be fair... Okay fair enough, I certainly don't want any special treatment. However, the other day they were stood judging her (I wasn't supposed to notice) whilst she was tied up, picking out all of her faults which I believe gives her an unfair disadvantage to the other horses and is frankly bad conduct. Some of the comments were incorrect as she is a show cob type and a youngstock yet they appeared to speaking as if she was a fully grown riding horse type. The show in question isn't a tiny local show, it has numerous equifest and other qualifiers so am I right to think that its irresponsible to have inexperienced judges when the judges decision is final? Also, I am still intending to go against my instructors better judgement but I think it's defeatist to just give up. I'm sorry that this is a long rant and I really don't intend to offend the people in question. Thanks :)
 
Yeah you're right, it is a bad idea so I guess it's my fault but I do think it will be a good experience for my horse as she isn't there to win. I'm probably being naive just I only found out they were judging her class yesterday and we had discussed going over a month ago.
 
Take her and use the day to educate. All you need is for her to accept the preparation, the loading and travelling, the show environment and the reload.

If she is foot perfect throughout the process that is worth far more than a rosette or comment from other people.
 
The "judges" may have been practising, comparing notes on conformation especially as they are not experienced themselves. May have "judged" all the horses on your yard in an informal way.
 
millikins said:
The "judges" may have been practising, comparing notes on conformation especially as they are not experienced themselves. May have "judged" all the horses on your yard in an informal way.
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I suppose so, I didn't think of it that way tbh :)
but it would have been nice to say that thats what they were doing instead of whispering.
 
'Judging' at unaffiliated shows can be amazingly variable. I had took two friends to a large show, Friend A rode horse 1 in a novice working hunter, all fine, then Friend A rode horse 2 in the next class up working hunter (same judge) at the end the judge said "well I've given you the same mark for confirmation obviously" - it wasn't obvious to us as it was a totally different horse (horse 1 - 16.2 irish with massive white blaze and 4 white stockings, horse 2 - 17 hh much lighter build and no white hairs on him at all) - to make it even more funny Friend B was riding horse 1 in the same class !!!

We didn't really worry about the rest of the judging if she couldn't spot one had 4 white stockings and the other did not!!

Your youngster will gain from being out at a new place, being in the ring, the whole atmospter etc. it will further her education - if you come last - smile and know that they are just as inexperienced as your youngster is so it means nothing to her future potential.
 
I would definitely go but use it as a training day for your horse and instead of worrying what the judges think and putting pressure on yourself in the class...set yourself other aims for the day - did your horse load/travel/unload well, did he walk around the show politely, in the class did he do what you asked of him at all points (stand well, trot out nicely etc)...if he does all of this at his first show, that's a win in my book :D. Good luck and enjoy the day out!
 
It's all so subjective anyway. I would go for the experience alone, take the day with a pinch of salt and concentrate on making it a good educational experience for your horse. Any frillies etc are merely an added bonus! I really enjoyed my first ever dressage test with my horse despite coming 9/10 - he behaved and that was the main thing!
 
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