Judging Inhand Classes at County Level

devilwoman

devilwoman

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If there are any ladies/gents on here who Judge inhand at County level maybe you could answer this query for me, today i've been to Kent County, my filly did ok and i'm very pleased with her so i'm not being a sore loser BUT why oh why oh why is it that bad behaviour is overlooked so often in the showing world these days, when I used to show moon ago there was a very strict dress code, the horses were also expected to be turned out correctly and bad behaviour was penalised.

Today, the horse that won my class was gorgeous looking, lovely built, turned out beautiful but behaviour was disgusting, it hardly trotted a single step cantering and bucking most of the way, and when it was supposed to be standing for the judge to look at it, it was shifting and fidgeting around at one point nearly knocked the judge flying, yet still it was bought back in 1st place, personally I think it should have been knocked for that when other horses standing in 2nd, 3rd etc behaved much better.
 
I have seen the same things whilst showing my boy in youngster classes, but assumed that the judges were looking at the potential, conformation and movement of the horses rather than behaviour alone.....I guessed thats one reason why you would have 'youngster' classes, as they are for experience as much as anything!
 
This is why i stopped showing, Its all about who you know, not what you know, im afraid.
Id see it all the time, and the same people would always win, Id be in the collecting ring and when certain people walked in you'd hear everyone moan, saying that this will be a waste of time now, it it usually was, they would always win.

You sometimes get a good judge that wants someone worthy and different winning and qualifying but not as much as it should be, judges say this doesn't happen but I have a friend very high up in the show world and they all go around each other houses for dinner and pat each other on the back congratualating each other on their winnings!

Sorry if this sounds bitter, my horse done quite well in his showing, but I just couldn't stand paying all that money for each show to watch the same old people win again!
 
Realistically you cannot expect yearlings to behave themselves in a show ring. It is unfair if you have an impeccably behaved horse but it is about the horse the judge sees on the day. This is a combination of presence, wow factor, conformation, suitability for type, movement. Even though yearlings can be messing around, it is possible for an experienced judge to see a great step, length of stride, symmetry of movement and natural balance. Judges tend to be forgiving of young horses behaviour although it is to be preferred.

I agree with you on turnout of handlers. Also I would expect 2yo to be more mannerly and 3yo horses definitely to be mannerly as most of them would have started some ridden work and training. I would not waste a lot of time on a really badly behaved 3yo unless he was something really special, but would always give the handler time to calm the horse down.
 
Sorry but I don't think thats fair! You CAN and SHOULD expect youngsters to behave in a show ring! My yearling should like a statue on her first EVER outing. Ok, the trot was horrific, but thats why we were placed last!

Turnout of handlers also drove me mad. Sleeves of jackets rolled up, no jackets at all, etc etc etc!!!!
 
Manners should be taken into account even in 3yo classes - it does depend on the judge's preference though and if they really liked this horse, well...

Showing is very subjective, just make a note to avoid this judge in future if you feel your horse wasnt given a fair chance by them. Another day, another show :)
 
devilwoman said:
I never said it was a yearling, it was a class of 3 year olds - and to my mind it should behave - my filly is 3 and behaved impeccable, as well as so did most of the others.
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Flipping heck could have sworn you said yearling. Need to a)change glasses b)get more sleep c) read more carefully.

What I said about yearlings I stand by.

I also said in my post a 3 year old SHOULD be mannerly and at that stage of their training plus the fact they would have usually seen the show ring before means there is little excuse for bad behaviour so I agree with you on that point. The class is being judged on the horse and not the manners and it is unfortunate that some judges will overlook the bad behaviour. There are also those judges that won't tolerate it and I have seen some in hand horses asked to leave the ring as too out f control.

If it is any consolation, there will be other days and a famous old horse judge once said to me "Who are we anyway, people should not take to heart what we judges think of their horses, nor should they think any less of their horses because we don't place them sometimes - all that matters is the horse in his owners eyes". Puts it all into perspective somehow.

Good luck next time out.
 
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