Judging Veteran Class

[Orangehorse]

Entered my first ever Veteran Class, thought the horse might like a little trip out and he did seem to be pleased and stood like a rock to be plaited. Haven't been to a show for AGES.

Well, first, we were placed, so no grumps, but on reflection I wondered how on earth does a judge decide on such a mixed class? There were cobs, TB, ponies, cross breds.

I guess in this case, the judge picked the one with best conformation, action and condition. It was a cob, not overweight and very well turned out and presented. But some veteran classes are judged on condition. Is there a norm or it is just what each judge decides on the day?

 

[smja]

The ones I have seen (not many!) were judged on which horse was the best example of its type. Condition considered but not a major factor, though a couple of classes were split into older and younger veterans, IYSWIM?

 

[humblepie]

I think they must be very difficult classes to judge and as smja says generally would be on the best example of its type, so conformation, action etc. I think condition would come into it, so not fat, not thin and there may also perhaps if it swings between types, what does the judge like or know the best. I did lots of veteran classes in the past with an ex show jumper/show horse and did wonder how and if age is factored in, so between a 15 year old who is probably about the right age for the Rio Olympics and a 25 year old. I only did a couple of veterans with my ex racehorse but always felt he should have 3 years at least factored in as he had raced at 2 when most of the others would have been doing nothing. Well done on being placed.

 

[honetpot]

I have only entered one veteran at a big show.
The horse that came second though lovely was lame and could hardly trot. I can normally pick at least the first three, but in this class I had no idea how they judged it , so I asked a judge I was chatting to later. She had come off the VHS panel as she could not understand it either. So its a bit like the Grand National of showing, anything could happen.

 

[jakkibag]

Conformation is not judged in VHS classes.

 

[spottybotty]

Entered my first ever Veteran Class, thought the horse might like a little trip out and he did seem to be pleased and stood like a rock to be plaited. Haven't been to a show for AGES.

Well, first, we were placed, so no grumps, but on reflection I wondered how on earth does a judge decide on such a mixed class? There were cobs, TB, ponies, cross breds.

I guess in this case, the judge picked the one with best conformation, action and condition. It was a cob, not overweight and very well turned out and presented. But some veteran classes are judged on condition. Is there a norm or it is just what each judge decides on the day?

Condition does come in to it, but its not the only factor, you dont want excessive weight and you dont want a bag of bones . SSADL classes are marked, there are two sections one for performance and the other for condition etc. We did a first round class at a County show and the Judge had the in-hand competitors do a full figure of eight in trot! It showed up those that were not 100% sound and bad behaviour!

 

[peaceandquiet1]

It depends if it is a local show, or a veteran horse society class, or an ssdl class. The vhs have a score sheet. The judges also need to be listed with them. Veternas are supposed to show clean transitions between the paces, no spurs, and no galloping.