Most ludicrous comment by show judge

I hate showing, when I first started I was on a yard that done local unafilliated every month, there was a lady who had a stunning show pony who had competed and placed in all the big shows including wembley as it was then. She also used to enter the unafilliated show every month and took the end of year trophy home for the previous two years. I was in best turned out only my second time showing and she was placed 4th she threw the rosette at the judge and a few choice words and stormed out :( .

I also had a show pony on loan when I was about 18 he had won lots to a high level in the youngster classes, not with me so I decided to go to a local show just for some feedback as I knew nothing about in hand showing. I did read up and got tips from his owners but just wanted a practice. He was a complete star in the ring and was clean but he was placed last. The horse that won was a stallion who did not stop rearing throughout class and another horse who came in the line up had straw in his tail, stains on his white socks and just a mess.
I thought I must have really made a huge mistake but thought I would ask so I can learn from it.
Judge told me pony was immaculate, really good Confo and behaviour was excellent and he was shown correctly. Right ok I said can you now point out my faults so I can work on please to she replied the stallion was always going to win no matter what and am afraid I don't like spindly sec a types so that's why your bottom.
 
npage123 said:
This weekend at a local show, an absolutely gorgeous and immaculately turned-out pony was only placed 7th. The judge's reasoning behind it? She said that he was a bit overweight for a Connemara.

BUT: He's not even a Connemara - he's a multiple county level show winning HIGHLAND PONY!!
Click to expand...

This sounds just like what happened to me a few years back at an RC annual showing show. The class was just called "Native Pony" so I entered my pure bred reg Welsh D in it and he looks a D! When I entered the ring, the judge came over and asked if I was in the wrong class with my friesian... UMMMMMMM?!?! I pointed out he was a pure bred Welsh D and she then placed me pretty much end of the line BEHIND half bred plaited ponies who could barely trot. I wouldnt have minded but my Welsh D won a decent amount of classes in his time in far better company and had gone beautifully! Was an utter waste of time. Very irritating.
 
Pinkatc said:
I took my Anglo Arab gelding to a local show a few years ago and got placed 6th out of 10 which I was ok with for his first outing. When I politely asked the judge how she decided the placings, she told me 'Well I don't like chestnuts.'
Guess what colour my boy is...
Click to expand...

Pinkatc I think we have met the same judge! Years ago I went to a local show but it was a good standard and not RC so the Cheshire set were there! All the three chestnuts in one class were placed at the bottom. The judge openly said he hadn't bothered to watch their show as he didn't like chestnuts. One of them had competed in WH at HOYS so he wasn't exactly one of the Ugly Sisters.

As far as I concerned, if I take my horse to a show and the judge doesn't like her, that's their problem. I have the loveliest horse in the whole world!
 
Just a question - those of you who have said things to the effect of "I took my PBA in the M&M class and got placed - don't know what breed the judge thought it was"
Why put your horse in an M&M class in the first place if it's not M&M.
Or if this is normal then I'll join in.
My mare is of unknown breeding but to me looks fairly Dales-y.
If it's fair game to enter her for an M&M class then I will because other than Family Pony there's nothing else I can really enter (not cobby enough for Cob, not a riding horse, not coloured, not veteran, not youngstock...)
 
Conversely, the best thing Ive ever had said to me was when I took my Heinz 57 horse to a local show and despite him having a croup high canter, he was placed 3rd in a big class. The chap stood in 4th turned to me and said "Congratulations, youve just beaten a County Champion ". When the judge came down the line he said that my horse had pulled in 3rd over the horse in 4th due to his exceptional manners. When the judge reached the chap in 4th he shook his hand and said that he was grateful for the run. He refused the rosette and asked that it be handed down the line.

What a lovely thing to do.

Clearly someone who was there for an unbiased ride and not just to get a placing.
 
I*HM said:
One of the most mental I've seen was a Hunter championship. All the horses looked pretty much the exact same (all bay, no/little marking, all with definite TB influence) which I suppose was fair enough - the judge had his type, but for some reason the HW in the class was lighter of bone than the LW, no joke! The HW entry also did a hack class the same day :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Hunter classes do seem to be particularly odd. I was once placed below a hogged cob in a middlewight hunter class. Although it was on my "judge scarer" horse - we're doing a county level working hunter next week, as I know the judge there can actually ride and hunts.
 
At one of our local events, there is the judge there, same one each time, who blatently does not like smaller ponies. Whichever class she is judging, she places them in size order. So largest first, then 2nd largest etc etc, doesnt matter which breed she is judging! So if you enter a class where you are the largest, you win! Seems very unfair when you pay out £16 per class, put all the effort in to make pony presentable. Think I might have to put Donovan on stilts!!!!
 
benson21 said:
At one of our local events, there is the judge there, same one each time, who blatently does not like smaller ponies. Whichever class she is judging, she places them in size order. So largest first, then 2nd largest etc etc, doesnt matter which breed she is judging! So if you enter a class where you are the largest, you win! Seems very unfair when you pay out £16 per class, put all the effort in to make pony presentable. Think I might have to put Donovan on stilts!!!!
Click to expand...

But then you have to be a bit savvy, and not enter the classes that idiot judges are judging....??
 
amymay said:
But then you have to be a bit savvy, and not enter the classes that idiot judges are judging....??
Click to expand...

Absolutely. A show we know we have no chance in doing well, but still enter in at the beginning of the season just to dust the cobwebs off!
 
Pinkatc said:
I took my Anglo Arab gelding to a local show a few years ago and got placed 6th out of 10 which I was ok with for his first outing. When I politely asked the judge how she decided the placings, she told me 'Well I don't like chestnuts.'
Guess what colour my boy is...
Click to expand...

A few years ago I was judging a WH qualifier, and they were a bit short of entries, so the organisers were running round the showground trying to drum up a few more, which they duly did.

I got my steward to give them a brief "how to" and a run down of the tack rules, and the class began. One of those last minute horses was the most spectacular coloured horse, who jumped the most beautiful forward going clear round and then gave a lovely show. I pulled her in first, and she got her ticket, over the local "producer", who was perfectly ok with the decision.

It was my friend on the sidelines who said loudly "I can't believe that horse won, you HATE coloureds!!!"

:confused::rolleyes::eek:
 
I took my lad to a local show about a month after getting him just to see how he’d behave and to get to know him a little better. Entered into the in hand hunter (horse) to be told he was not ‘of hunter type’. Well, he’s a full up 16.2 pure bred ID with 10” of bone. He couldn’t be more ‘hunter type’ if he tried. Even more funny was the horse that won was a very rangy (& naughty) TB type. It didn’t matter, we had a nice day and my lad behaved beautifully and seemed to enjoy himself. But I now make a point of only entering affiliated breed classes, where I know I will be judged by someone qualified.
 
Had similar comment made when showing my new forest. Was placed last (we normally do well) and as leaving the ring the judge made a comment about my 'little connemara'!! It is so off putting especially as showing involves so much time and effort ud think the judge could at least make sure they know what it is they are judging!
 
Took my Mini Shetland to an affilaited show, we were 5th so not too bad but the judge said when giving out the awards 'I know nothing about Mini Shetlands at all '. Also at affiliated shows my New Forest (a pale dapple grey) has been called a smart Connie etc ! The only time he has been shown in breed classes under a specialist he was Res Champion so not a bad New Forest.
 
Friend entered a large-ish Agricultural show. Did a nice test, horse was impeccably behaved and well schooled.

Judge told her 'If you want to win, you need to buy nicer boots. Also, there's dust on the bottom of the soles'.

Her boots were not fancy name brand, but were clean and polished and not scuffed, and fit well. The dust on the underside of the sole..well..:rolleyes:


My own horse, at HOYS...judge placed every single chestnut at the bottom of both classes on the flat. Didn't watch the chestnuts gallop in the group for the show hunter class.
When it came to individual shows, he didn't even watch the chestnuts and the ones he deemed beneath him..had us do our tests simultaneously, in pairs. I wasn't bothered, didn't think we had a big chance as horse tends to get a bit naughty and I ride like a fool, but I did think we should all be treated equally at least!
 
Last edited:
I bought a Fell pony colt as a foal. He was supreme Champion at the foal show for his year, and again at a native youngstock show, with his breeder, even before I got him home. Being a showing novice, I thought I'd try him at three fairly big shows, in-hand obviously, just for some experience for us both.

He was well placed the first time, in fact he won his class as the only yearling in a strong class of 2 and 3 yr olds (M&M), and the judge said she liked his uphill way of going and his action, and the fact that he wasn't 'over-produced'.

The next time out he took second in a good class. The judge said he was very smart, and she'd like to see him as a 2yr old. Fair comment.

The next show was a poor turnout (only two of us), and the judge was a show pony man. He placed a NF filly first, which was fine by me as she looked great although I don't know anything about them. I accepted my 2nd place rosette with thanks, and leaned toward the judge as he offered a comment. What did he say...? " How do you keep the feather on him?"

I enjoy showing in-hand, and I don't really mind how we are placed as long as the pony goes well and behaves, but FGS...constructive comments please.
 
Last edited:
KautoStar1 said:
I took my lad to a local show about a month after getting him just to see how he’d behave and to get to know him a little better. Entered into the in hand hunter (horse) to be told he was not ‘of hunter type’. Well, he’s a full up 16.2 pure bred ID with 10” of bone. He couldn’t be more ‘hunter type’ if he tried. Even more funny was the horse that won was a very rangy (& naughty) TB type. It didn’t matter, we had a nice day and my lad behaved beautifully and seemed to enjoy himself. But I now make a point of only entering affiliated breed classes, where I know I will be judged by someone qualified.
Click to expand...


Cant agree more! However - I recently competed my Veteran Hunter in a VHS qualifier. All these judges are listed on a VHS list and have to be accredited. In the first qualifying round the judge loved him and said he was a fine example of a working hunter. We won which I was obviously delighted about. However in the next rounds, where there are 2 judges, on multiple occassions one judge told me he was covering the ground with lovely paces but the other judge told me he was covering too much ground and should have been more upright like a ladies hack! We didn't get placed, but I have found that in veteran showing, the judging is soooo hit and miss, because the class is full of different kinds of horses/ponies the judges don't seem to know that you have to show according to type and should be judged in that way. Also, so far at every VHS regional I have been too a 16 year old has won the Olympia ticket. Even though i've seen on the mark sheets afterwards that some older horses have had higher marks in the 'suppleness and way of going' catagory.
 
mrussell said:
Conversely, the best thing Ive ever had said to me was when I took my Heinz 57 horse to a local show and despite him having a croup high canter, he was placed 3rd in a big class. The chap stood in 4th turned to me and said "Congratulations, youve just beaten a County Champion ". When the judge came down the line he said that my horse had pulled in 3rd over the horse in 4th due to his exceptional manners. When the judge reached the chap in 4th he shook his hand and said that he was grateful for the run. He refused the rosette and asked that it be handed down the line.

What a lovely thing to do.

Clearly someone who was there for an unbiased ride and not just to get a placing.
Click to expand...

A proper example of the sportsmanship which is so lacking most of the time. What a nice chap, as well as what sounds like an unbiased judge!
 
I run a couple of local shows with qualifiers each year and judge or steward at a few more; I have to say yes, I have seen some decidedly poor judging on the odd occasion.

I won't place any combination that performs poorly, exibits bad behaviour, has made no effort with turnout etc, rude riders/handlers or obese, skinny or lame horses or ponies.

I judge on the overall picture presented to me on the day. I want to see a well mannered, obediant horse or
pony that is true to type, immaculately turned out and shown off to it's best by it's rider or handler.

I don't care if it's been shown to a high level previously it's what I see in front of me on the day that counts.
 
soulfull said:
they do make some odd decision

once in a best t/o class I was the only one with sewn in plaits and a properly clean horse, I was placed below someone with a dirty pony and dirty jods, messy banded plaits.
when I asked why I was told 'overall look' so I said you mean because I am overweight, 'hmm well yes' was his reply.

I wouldn't mind but at size 14/16 and riding a big hunter type I didn't see the problem :p
Click to expand...
Hmm I saw someone win a championship Turnout class with a nylon jacket (ok, so not everyone can afford wool!) and a TWISTED curb chain! How is that best turned out?
I once did this when a child and was placed last and told in no uncertain terms a twisted curb chain is unforgivable and causes the horse pain potentially.
 
I have had a few fun comments:

In a inhand PBA class (came 3rd): "A lovely yearling"....my horse was six or seven at the time.

Ridden PBA class, after my horse was a little bit nutty we got pulled in last but judge told me "You are very brave." Surfice to say the judge chose not to ride in that class.

Then not a comment, but once I was showing my purebred arab at a little local show - she was being actually quite good and we came 6th - though the judge handed the rosette to the person who came 5th (who already had her rosette) to hand to me. Was a bit strange, as Miska wasn't doing anything silly.

Show stewarding can sometimes be quite entertaining when you actually hear what the judges really think :)
 
I tried a showing class once and it has defiantly put me off showing :( was placed last in class and i wouldn't have minded but the horse who won had mud all up his legs(dry day and it was the first class so no excuses) the horse that came third reared and bucked through the whole class and my horse was clean and was the only one stood square and in an outline constantly while we were waiting to be judged( very proud of him) :D

picture.php

he's the dun:D
 
CaitlinCal said:
I tried a showing class once and it has defiantly put me off showing :( was placed last in class and i wouldn't have minded but the horse who won had mud all up his legs(dry day and it was the first class so no excuses) the horse that came third reared and bucked through the whole class and my horse was clean and was the only one stood square and in an outline constantly while we were waiting to be judged( very proud of him) :D

picture.php

he's the dun:D
Click to expand...

This is going to sound horrible and its not meant to, its actually meant to make you feel a bit better. But your turnout is completely incorrect, which may be why you were placed down ie: no hairnet (loose hair down your back), wrong jacket, wrong colour chaps and should be boots etc etc.
He is a stunning looking horse, tho over bent in the picture...please don't let it put you off, just get the right turnout for yourself and you may do better :D
 
Looking at the photo there are several things you could do to improve your turnout.

Judges rarely look at those stood waiting, they look at the one doing their individual show.

This might be why you were placed down the line.
 
This one put me off showing completely. We took one of our coloured yearling fillies to a large national show. She had been Champion the week previously. The judge, a well-known show producer with a dubious reputation, placed her last in a class of 18. The 17th placed competitor asked him why she had been placed 17th. He told her that her horse was lame on 3 legs. Naturally, I was astounded that I had been placed below a horse that was lame on 3 legs so I asked him, fearing that I hadn't noticed my filly's leg had fallen off. He told me that my (yearling) filly was showing signs of wear and tear in her joints. The filly went on to be Champion again the following week. She was also graded First Premium at her grading and now jumps successfully BS, winning more often than not. She is now 9 and has never had a day of lameness or stiffness in her life. On another occasion, I stood ringside next to said judge, just listening in, as he relished the attention of sycophants fauning over him. Some of the comments he was making were outrageous, yet gullible people were hanging on to his every word just because he is who he is. Jumping is so much more of a level playing field and we don't show anymore. Don't miss it one little bit or the cr*p that spews from the mouths of some judges.
 
9 year old daughter in tots ridden M&M showing class, did foot perfect show, impeccable on the go round and beautifully turned out. Pulled in last out of five behind one who didn't show any canter at all, a pony with coloured saddlecloth and navy jacket and thrid place which had bucked on canter trans. All the ringside spectators muttering that was strange judging...daughter very confused - especially as the judge came up to her to pin the rosette on and said "lovely pony and well ridden, you really don't deserve to be down here!"
So why did he place her last? Turned out he wasthe boyfriend of someone I had reprimanded at work in the previous week :-0 Grrr What a petty brat to use a child for revenge.
 
royal said:
This is going to sound horrible and its not meant to, its actually meant to make you feel a bit better. But your turnout is completely incorrect, which may be why you were placed down ie: no hairnet (loose hair down your back), wrong jacket, wrong colour chaps and should be boots etc etc.
He is a stunning looking horse, tho over bent in the picture...please don't let it put you off, just get the right turnout for yourself and you may do better :D
Click to expand...

agree with royal..............although you & your horse look lovely, your gear isnt 'correct' for showing. Remember showing is just about 1 persons opinion and chances are those getting rosettes are probably in the same circles as the judges. Im not saying its always the case but it does happen which is a shame for everyone else :(
 
Have to say, I did a fairly big county show CHAPS class with my pone earlier this year (previously placed as Champion in another county show!).

Although we got placed, which I was muchly pleased about (!), we came behind the little ponies (was an up to 153 cm class and we are 153cm!) and the winner really struggled with canter in the individual show and was a nightmare in the group go round!
My pone however, behaved impeccably and was foot perfect in the show!!

Another CHAPS judge was watching and was talking to my sister and he placed me 2nd!!

So just goes to show, its not just the locals that have bizarre judging!!
 
Gosh, we must be incredibly lucky around here. All our Riding Club and local shows are pretty good, I have always agreed with the judge whether I am first or down the line, I know why!

We sometimes get the local MFH, or a selection from riders who have competed successfully in showing classes. Mind, I did have a New Forest pony, which is quite unusual around here, so if I went in a mixed M&M I always told the judge what breed she was.
 
A lot of local showing is down to the judges preferance, but there are also a lot of good judging done at local level.
It didnt matter if I was placed 1st or last or somewhere in the middle (whether local or county show) I always knew I was taking the best pony home at the end of the day!! :D You have to take "some judges" comments with a pinch of salt and smile about them! ( one springs to mind where a friend was placed below the rosettes but the judged offered the girl a sweet for doing her best. We all laughed about this as the "girl" was a grown up!!! :p another where my pony tanked off with the judge :eek: :o but were later moved up a place once the judge had gained control and sorted his knitting out! or where I was marked down because my pony decided to wee during the middle of a minutes silence, when you have to go you have to go!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top