Pet hates at shows?

Hokuspokus said:
summer shows which have the chainsaw display, shooting games and bouncy castle right next to showing rings,
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What's wrong with that?

Showgrounds have limited space and most horses look around and go "Meh ..." and if they don't the first time, they will next time.
 
So sad but ALL of the above, one reason why we have given up dressage, showjumping etc and now compete at Endurance, with people who are friendly, happy and very helpful.
 
Seeing breed classes seem to be a hot topic here, I used to have an Arab X Welsh D who was registered PBA. I used to show her in hand and ridden in registered PBA classes and she always got placed. She was very pretty, had a lot of presence, and very polite in the ring.

On one occasion I took her in to a Arab/PBA in hand class and she was the only horse in the class who looked remotely arab-y. The rest, quite frankly looked like chestnut cobs with long manes and tails. Now, I'm not one of those who sulk if I don't get placed, I'm competitive, but a good sport, but she came last in this class and I wasn't overly amused. Turned out that the three highest places were give to friends and family members of the judge (it was an local unaffiliated show). Justice prevailed though because the following week I entered a ridden class and beat that particular judge who'd entered on her Pure bred stallion (Snigger).

Another occasion a friend of mine took her bay TB mare in to a riding horse class. This mare was the most true to type and quite frankly, gave the best show and behaved the best. The others were either too heavy for a riding horse class, a couple of them bucked, one reared and some of the others were just stuffy and lazy. My friend's horse came last. ALL the other horses in the class were grey!

So, its judges who can't be impartial that is another of my pet hates. It happens so often at dressage. A horse going abysmally will get a good score because the judge knows it and knows it can go better. Sorry, they're supposed to judge what they see on the day.

Oh, just one more. Unaffiliated SJ classes with plenty of entrants where they DON'T split horses and ponies (As stated they will on the schedule).

On balance though, I like going to shows, I'm hugely competitive, love showing my lovely boy off and just like to get out and about.
 
People (complete with dogs, baby's, prams and toddlers) wandering through the warm up, and then congrating at the entrance to it/another ring. My horse is perfectly reasonably behaved but he does tend to come in and go out with some gusto, your buggy with attached terrier in the middle of the path might get squashed, especially as you are looking the other way.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Getting an early time for BD (not a problem) and arriving at the showground 1.5 hours beforehand to find the gates locked and no one around until 40 minutes to go.
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Yes I've had that. I like to get to the show fairly early to allow good time to warm up etc. I usually compete on my own so needed to do all signing in etc before I got my pony out the trailer.
I arrive about 45 mins before the class starts (not stupidly early I would have thought given people need time to tack up and warm up) the secretaries cabin is locked, no one around.
Eventually someone turns up and I clearly look a little flustered, she says "oh it's ok, the first one isn't on until 9am". I replied," yes that's me, I'm first on and need to get ready and warmed up. "
 
Cowpony said:
Two of mine are people who fail to thank stewards; and associates of the rider shouting instructions in the jump-off. There's not meant to be any outside assistance, and that includes shouting "leg on" or "hold" so the rider gets the right stride.
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The Xmas Furry said:
And from the other side (judging of show classes) re: competitors

Those who come into the ring late, despite being seen in the car park/box area chatting, even worse with no apology.
Always happy to let another in if rings clash, but just being late isn't good manners.

Competitors being rude/agressive when presented with a rosette, when they think they should have been higher.
Showing IS the judges opinion, judges see some things differently to owners, its a snapshot in time. A competitor may 'think' they are the best, but may have overlooked their shortcomings, or their turnout, horses way of going or conformation.

Competitors who ignore the judge or steward when asked to carry something simple out, even a change of rein, or to space out before a gallop.

Competitors using an inside track all the time and carving up the class. No, as a judge we want to see everyone, not just you, thank you :)

Competitors (at local level in particular) not reading the schedule properly & entering a heinz57 in a purebred class, then sometimes getting shirty when asked to leave the ring or left at the bottom of the line, or taking a lead rein into a first ridden, or open ridden class. No parent, I don't need a torrent of abuse thanks, try reading up first.

Those also not reading rules and appearing with schooling whips, unsuitable tack, children in spurs etc.

Whilst I appreciate that people make an effort to enter classes, there are some who quite plainly are spoiling for a row if little fluffykins with Amelia isn't first, or if their hairy native-type pony with a long mane doesn't win the registered natives this time.

Some judging is the pits, others not so.
However, its a ruddy unexploded minefield once you step into an unaffiliated ring, many panel judges quake at even the thought of it!
Give me an affiliated County show class any day :)
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All of this^^^^^^

Plus;

SJers who think that they have a right to fill up the WH collecting ring because their own has too many riders in.

WH competitors who think it is the same as SJ and moan because they can't just put their number down and disappear for half an hour - and who haven't bothered to find out what the correct WH turnout is.

And at local shows, those who bring their youngsters/inexpereinced horses to show them the ground/atmosphere without paying an entry fee. Fair eniough if you don't want to actually enter a class don't but just remember that if every-one came to the ground without entering a class, there would be no show, so think about entering a class, paying the entry fgee and then withdrawing.
Those who just don't turn up without telling the secretary/steward, so that the class waits for them

Those who are eligible for a Championship but have decided to go home wihout telling the secretary/steward, so that calls are put out for them and every-one else is kept waiting.
 
On the topic of people placing in wrong places I have a good one that involved me in dressage. Was just intro level but I forgot a movement at one point yet the judge gave me a 4 for it because he thought I had attempted it but not properly. I actually said to him that he should have given me zero for it haha. I didn't win though I got 2nd out of 3 people (small class haha) and i think the person who got 3rd got lost so wasn't so bad. I did realise straight away that I forgot tthough as I remember swearing and calling myself an idiot. I have never made a mistake like that before in a test but it was my first test on my own horse so i was nervous.

To be fair on the judge too once i told him i did forget he did say that he should have given me zero then but ah well.
 
One of our local shows now bans any horse to be unboxed unless it has a valid competitor number on the handler or rider, they explicitly say every equine must be entered for a class.
This is after having quite a number of eejits just turnng up to do their own versions of chase me charlie over practice jumps or mowing people over by endlessly charging around.
Brilliantly policed by a rather forceful pair of horsey mums!
Word seems to have got round, its a much nicer place to visit these days :)
 
Pet hate as a show organiser.
Leaving dung behind, please pick it up and either place in the designated area or take it home.

People who either don't read the rules, or chose to ignore them. The schedule said Official Pony Club uniform, ie white shirt, club tie and sweater, not a short sleeved shirt!

People who seem incapable of filling out the simplest of entry forms

People who don't consider the close of entry date applies to them and get ****** when you decline their entry, catalogue has already gone to print.
 
Those competitors and their connections who assume that the judge is biased against them, or towards others, because they were placed lower down the rankings than they thought they should be. Competitors who treat stewards and judges as if they are "staff" and then behave rudely towards them. Those competitors who when you point out, in the collecting ring, that their turnout is incorrect, are rude, go into the ring and then have to leave again :) and are then even ruder!
People who don't wear their number in the collecting ring for the WH, how is the steward supposed to know that they are there?
Competitors who have been asked to do a short show, meandering round and round in some form of trot, then people wonder why the class runs on :)
 
Lack of hairnet use!! Loose flappy hair sticking out of hats looks awful. A hairnet is quite possibly the cheapest thing that you can add to a show outfit that makes the most difference to overall appearance! At our local show I'm half tempted to take a bagful and hand the flipping things out!!!
 
To all those people disconcerted by tying up outside a lorry, you've clearly never been to an endurance event... :D

At other comps:
---people that assume the steward knows who they are
---people that assume the steward will give them special treatment because of who they are
---people that assume that horse height and/or quantity of Swarovski crystals gives them special allowances for ignoring collecting ring rules or making rude comments to competitors on less tall/blingy animals
---people with a PRAM in the collecting ring (yes, really. At Area finals.)
---dressage judges that resist the steward's efforts to run the rings with German efficiency (said tongue-in-cheek)
 
Family and friends of competitor loudly ripping to shreds ( ring side) other competitors in the same class . Many of which were little children on ponies they had turned out themselves giving it a good go ....

Those who are high and mighty and therefore feel they do not need to use Lorry parking and instead drive through the show field and park ringside causing havoc on the way ... But hey saves them walking right ?

People who just don't make the effort , why enter a class on your horse that you haven't bothered to present properly , dirty feathers , plaited mane in a cobs class and without a hair net or appropriate coloured jodhpurs and then complain and be out right rude to all other competitions and the poor steward .
 
From personal experience - dressage judges who appear to just make up any old rubbish and give out random scores that dont match in any way to the test you have just ridden (ie. low marks when a movement 'wasnt shown' when spectators confirmed after that they had definitely seen me do it, and really high marks for movements that were cocked up completely!)

Only other thing really is people not paying attention in the jumping warm up and crossing in front of you as you go in for the practice jump or loitering behind it - for pity sake just get out of the way!!
 
Hokuspokus have been there with the chainsaw display and being beaten by someone on the wrong leg in a best rider class, the chainsaws were deafening and spoiled the class for the competitors judge steward and ponies, the result was turned upside down causing an ineligible pony to win the class because it coped the best.

Everyone expects distractions at agricultural shows but some cross the line!
 
ossy said:
Lorries that park so close to you, you can't even get your jockey door stairs out, let alone tie the horse up outside while I'm tacking up/down, especially when I've travelled on my own! Having to take off and re-do tail bandages while horse is still in wagon is not an experience I want to repeat!
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That is the normal at the NEC for Hoys.
 
oh dear we do sound a grumpy lot! But a lot of these comments do resonate!

I don't go to many shows, and then only to little local ones to do the fun classes, but I do get cross when a pretty but badly-behaved horse gets highly placed in the family pony / family horse class.

Other than that I HATE to see people loading their horses using aggression whether physical or vocal, and people wearing spurs who can't control their lower leg.
 
horsemadmum1 said:
Hokuspokus have been there with the chainsaw display and being beaten by someone on the wrong leg in a best rider class, the chainsaws were deafening and spoiled the class for the competitors judge steward and ponies, the result was turned upside down causing an ineligible pony to win the class because it coped the best.

Everyone expects distractions at agricultural shows but some cross the line!
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This was a few years ago now, and said I would never go back to that show. Pony went from a saint into spinning and trying to bog off at one side of the arena, I ended up leaving the class. I had heard that there was various complaints from it last year, I'm sure it was next to a kids showing class and a lot ended up spooking and kids falling off.
 
The Xmas Furry said:
And from the other side (judging of show classes) re: competitors

Those who come into the ring late, despite being seen in the car park/box area chatting, even worse with no apology.
Always happy to let another in if rings clash, but just being late isn't good manners.

Competitors being rude/agressive when presented with a rosette, when they think they should have been higher.
Showing IS the judges opinion, judges see some things differently to owners, its a snapshot in time. A competitor may 'think' they are the best, but may have overlooked their shortcomings, or their turnout, horses way of going or conformation.

Competitors who ignore the judge or steward when asked to carry something simple out, even a change of rein, or to space out before a gallop.

Competitors using an inside track all the time and carving up the class. No, as a judge we want to see everyone, not just you, thank you :)

Competitors (at local level in particular) not reading the schedule properly & entering a heinz57 in a purebred class, then sometimes getting shirty when asked to leave the ring or left at the bottom of the line, or taking a lead rein into a first ridden, or open ridden class. No parent, I don't need a torrent of abuse thanks, try reading up first.

Those also not reading rules and appearing with schooling whips, unsuitable tack, children in spurs etc.

Whilst I appreciate that people make an effort to enter classes, there are some who quite plainly are spoiling for a row if little fluffykins with Amelia isn't first, or if their hairy native-type pony with a long mane doesn't win the registered natives this time.

Some judging is the pits, others not so.
However, its a ruddy unexploded minefield once you step into an unaffiliated ring, many panel judges quake at even the thought of it!
Give me an affiliated County show class any day :)
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Spot on.

Here are a few of my experiences as a judge at local level - remember that it is my time for free, all day.

'Madam your horse is unlevel, I must ask you to leave the ring' - it is always like this, what's your problem. (novice hunter)

'Sir, I cannot allow you to continue and I will not allow my ride judge to get on your horse' - it is only bucking for fun madam - (open hunter)

A riding horse that napped in the collecting ring, standing upright and was led into the ring, went round once and napped at the entrance again. I sent it out. The owner then gave me grief when I came out of the ring between classes for a drink.

A couple of funny moments. Open hunter class, I had a lovely big stamp in first and I heard the rider tell my ride judge not to canter towards the two hedges that were the boundaries of the ring.

Another was a post show discussion on facebook regarding my decision to put a coloured cob as ridden supreme. It is well known that I am not a fan of coloured horses. Regardless of colour he was the most correct conformationally, gave the best ride, had the most presence and deserved his supreme.

In the main I get good feedback, but it is impossible to please everyone and it should be remembered that at lower levels judges give up their time for free.
 
AdorableAlice said:
'Sir, I cannot allow you to continue and I will not allow my ride judge to get on your horse' - it is only bucking for fun madam - (open hunter)
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See now thats why I am a bit iffy about putting my horse forward for ridden shows like that. He is a lovely horse to ride, for women. But when you put a man on him its 50/50 on whether he will try and throw the poor bloke off. To be fair on him, he has only ever tried to throw one guy off and he did get better with him and the other man who rode him he just stamped his hooves at me a bit for allowing it to happen.

I'm not overly sure he would be liked either as his movement is pretty powerful and not overly comfortable because of that. His conformation is good and I've been told by a person who does judging for hunters that he would be good for a lightweight hunter show, but I dunno. Might try for fun, but based on everyone's experiences I might not. :P

On the trailers issue, I dont get why anyone would leave their horses unattended while tied up. I have made it clear to my parents that whenever we take Harley out, someone has to stay with him at all times.

Whenever I steward at the dressage/jumping competitions at my current yard, I run the times like clockwork which people probably find annoying. I even tell them when they have 5mins to go before their test/course and usually have to ask outside people who they are as they never say. Bit annoying but they probably think everyone knows them as they come across all the time.
 
rachk89 said:
See now thats why I am a bit iffy about putting my horse forward for ridden shows like that. He is a lovely horse to ride, for women. But when you put a man on him its 50/50 on whether he will try and throw the poor bloke off. To be fair on him, he has only ever tried to throw one guy off and he did get better with him and the other man who rode him he just stamped his hooves at me a bit for allowing it to happen.

I'm not overly sure he would be liked either as his movement is pretty powerful and not overly comfortable because of that. His conformation is good and I've been told by a person who does judging for hunters that he would be good for a lightweight hunter show, but I dunno. Might try for fun, but based on everyone's experiences I might not. :P

On the trailers issue, I dont get why anyone would leave their horses unattended while tied up. I have made it clear to my parents that whenever we take Harley out, someone has to stay with him at all times.

Whenever I steward at the dressage/jumping competitions at my current yard, I run the times like clockwork which people probably find annoying. I even tell them when they have 5mins to go before their test/course and usually have to ask outside people who they are as they never say. Bit annoying but they probably think everyone knows them as they come across all the time.
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Please don't ever put your horse forwards for a ride judge until it is safe to be ridden by one!
Ride judges have lives, families and careers too and riding horses that owners know might throw them is a good way for a judge to get badly hurt
 
I don't have an issue with horses tied outside boxes for preparation, but don't like to see them unattended.

With eventing, there tends to be a few 'costume changes' with not that much time in-between phases so it's much easier to tie to the outside, rather than 2 ramps up and down (usually go in a trailer). However, the horse will stay on whilst we check in and only come off when needed to start getting ready, and will go back on after cooling down/washing off if we intend to stay for a little while before we set off home.

One thing that does annoy me is people that follow you to the fence in SJ warm up. For whatever reason they do it. Leave a safe distance between horses and make sure the person in front of you lands safely and is away before you come to a fence! Had this happen a few times.

And people that pay no attention if you shout you are going to jump a fence. Then they cut in front of you on the approach or ride/stop on the landing side.
 
Hokuspokus said:
This was a few years ago now, and said I would never go back to that show. Pony went from a saint into spinning and trying to bog off at one side of the arena, I ended up leaving the class. I had heard that there was various complaints from it last year, I'm sure it was next to a kids showing class and a lot ended up spooking and kids falling off.
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Our pony (age 21, seasoned competitor) was stressed out for the rest of the day and had diarrhoea (he is grey so very noticeable) after this class and even though they turned it off he was not his usual self all day. In his afternoon class the judge remarked that he seemed unsetttled and it cost him the class-both classes, actually. it was just too much. Took him to another show the day after where it was quiet and he was back to normal. Huge show where there were plenty of other places to put such a display.
 
horsemadmum1 said:
Agree, have caught many horses at shows who got loose having been left unattended.
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Sadly we don't all have grooms and have to leave our horses unattended. And even though they appear to be unnattended they are constantly watched from a window somewhere on the show ground. My pet hate is at affiliated events and those people who shout at their grooms "get the grey out of the lorry" or "can you tack up the bay mare". It drives me mad as I feel so sad that these horses aren't called by their actual names, just referred to by their sex and colour.
 
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