Judging 'Family Horse' class

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So we went to our local small show to have a go at the family horse class yesterday.

BUT I don't understand how the judging for these things works. The horse placed above us was jumping about like a nutter, wouldn't stand still and generally looked like the sort you would NEVER put your granny/mother on. I know its judged on lots of things (turnout, schooling, responsiveness etc too) but surely the most important thing is a willing, SAFE kind of horse?

The winner of the family pony class was pulling like a train, sweating up, napping and threw in a buck! NOT a suitable pony for a child at all!

What are the judges basing their decisions on here?
 
Showing is the judge's opinion - you're paying to be subjected to their own warped view of the world. The judge may value conformation over safety, lard over muscle, or just be completely off their chump.

They may also be perfectly sane, and reasonable, but I think they're quite rare people in the horse world ;)
 
Family pony should be safe for any member of the family to ride, often the class wants an adult and child to ride in the class, sounds like a bit of a fix!
 
Well I took my nutty chestnut mare into a family horse class a couple of years ago, I thought it would be good experience for her and she might learn to settle down a bit amongst all the sensible family types, before I took her in the working hunter class later which was my real goal. Firstly she did a little squeal and rear as we entered the arena, giving me a black eye because I wasn't expecting it and her poll hit my cheekbone, she refused to walk around during the first bit and cantered at the pace of everyone elses' walk, she then fly-bucked during our showpiece not just once, and we ended up coming 2nd out of 20 horses. We still laugh now because you can see my swollen face in the rosette giving photo, what on earth the judge saw I really don't know.
 
I am obviously far too naive! I did wonder if the winners were in ca-hoots.

I think I've decided showing is a bit dull anyway.... lol
 
i've judged family horse as a favor many years ago at a local riding club, for me its a horse that would be suitable for anyone to ride can go up and down the levels etc.

i gave first to the one that fitted the brief, didn't nap, didn't shoot off, didn't shy, response etc etc, yes it wasn't the prettiest, but that's not what the class was about

its a points show at the riding club, the one that normally won did the opposite, napped, shot off, bucked etc.

i had an interesting conversation with the dad of the rider, which then involved the club secretary................
 
I also judged for my local riding club, did what I call the odds and sods ring including Family pony. Anything that misbehaved went down the line immediately, I was looking for something safe, preferably sound and tbh something that I'd happily hack out on. I used to set out a little something to test if they were spooky. One year I gave a first to a bay pony and was later told that it was a complete menace but it didn't put a foot wrong in the ring. you can only judge what you see!
 
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