Rude judge

[Capriole]

Yawn

Is it still the school holidays?

 

[Mardy Mare]

Is it still the school holidays?

You clearly have too much time on your hands. Maybe you could fill it with something useful like teaching kids to read and write? I'll bow out now and let you have the last word. Sorry OP for getting away from the thread discussion.

 

[Capriole]

You clearly have too much time on your hands. Maybe you could fill it with something useful like teaching kids to read and write? I'll bow out now and let you have the last word. Sorry OP for getting away from the thread discussion.

Great. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

(eta: too much time on my hands? right back at ya...I'm on the same thread as you at the same time as you, try to make sense why don't you, I know it might be a struggle for you)

 

[Magicmillbrook]

I am outraged for your poor sister. I suffer with nerves and shyness so know how she feels. There is never any excuse for rudeness judge or not. Doesn't sound like she was much cop as a judge if she can't tell the difference between a stallion and a gelding.

I didn't know about the good morning convention either, I thought that was just on the hunt field and saying 'hello' when its time for your show is hardly conversing or fraternizing with the judge.

I suppose leaving the class could be seen as rude, but if she had visibly broken down with nerves then who can blame her. If I am any judge of people, even if the woman was warned by the committee about her behavior and not invited back (remember others complained about her too so not just OP's sister being 'delicate') she probably wouldn't accept it was her fault.

Op I do hope this hasn't put your sister off for life, sounds like she has a fab horse and as Redmone said, competing could be a positive therapy for her. Perhaps some rescue remedy might help in the future, or a swift G&T (if age appropriate).

 

[YorksG]

Having judged at a few local shows and stewarded at a fair number of shows, I have to say that this judge sounds VERY unusual. It is much more normal to get rude competitiors, who do not say good morning, good afternoon or anything vaguely like a greeting! I also have had people just leave the ring without a word, they didn't like their placing so left I have had people tell me that their lame horse was not lame, just the way the animals went I think there are many more rude competitors than judges. I also think that the OP's sister needs some help, and fast, and wonder how on earth she coped/copes at school/work/on public transport etc etc.

 

[Lucyad]

Not getting into whether it's entirely factual account but as you were shocked by the judge's manners (or lack of), may I just say that it was rude for your sister to leave the ring without being excused. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Is that right? I would have imagined that you could retire from a class at any point at which you felt uncomfortable, in the same way as for example in a SJ class or a ODE? I would just have expected to maybe nod to the judge (if they were not the reason for me leaving in the first place!) and leave quietly. I would not expect to have to interrupt the class to obtain 'permission' to leave from the judge (who if I understand from this thread you are also not supposed to speak to?). I have not been in this situation before, but have certainly seen people leaving mid showing class, generally due to a misbehaving horse. You make it sound almost as if you are a prisoner in the ring, having paid to enter bound to stick it out to the bitter end regardless...

 

[*MoodyMare*]

Not getting into whether it's entirely factual account but as you were shocked by the judge's manners (or lack of), may I just say that it was rude for your sister to leave the ring without being excused. Two wrongs don't make a right.

I'm on the fence with this. Yes two wrongs don't make a right but you can be excused from a class at anytime. Perhaps if OP's sister wasn't upset she wouldn't have left the ring so quickly or may have asked to be excused? I think it was a spur of the moment decision.

 

[gembear]

I have not been in this situation before, but have certainly seen people leaving mid showing class, generally due to a misbehaving horse. You make it sound almost as if you are a prisoner in the ring, having paid to enter bound to stick it out to the bitter end regardless...

I was a groom last weekend for a friend who had entered into a local show. There were about 12 horses in the class, when one young mare started misbehaving. I could see the owner started to worry, especially when she reared (did so 3 times) The judge was walking over to her, when she shouted out she was going to leave because she had her wedding the following weekend and didn't want to get hurt or hurt anyone else. The judge made light of the situation and joked it was fine, as he was sure she didn't want a hoof print on her face while at her wedding.

Everyone in the class commented on what a lovely judge he was and he gave everyone lots of great advice.

 

[*MoodyMare*]

I was a groom last weekend for a friend who had entered into a local show. There were about 12 horses in the class, when one young mare started misbehaving. I could see the owner started to worry, especially when she reared (did so 3 times) The judge was walking over to her, when she shouted out she was going to leave because she had her wedding the following weekend and didn't want to get hurt or hurt anyone else. The judge made light of the situation and joked it was fine, as he was sure she didn't want a hoof print on her face while at her wedding.

Everyone in the class commented on what a lovely judge he was and he gave everyone lots of great advice.

What a lovely judge!
I was at a show the other week, just watching, and in the championship class one of the horses started playing up. Rearing, spinning, refusing to go. In the end, the lady riding just rode straight out of the ring but didn't say anything to the judge. I thought it was okay? Judge didn't say anything and lady dismounted and calmed horse down as soon as she left the ring.

 

[gembear]

What a lovely judge!
I was at a show the other week, just watching, and in the championship class one of the horses started playing up. Rearing, spinning, refusing to go. In the end, the lady riding just rode straight out of the ring but didn't say anything to the judge. I thought it was okay? Judge didn't say anything and lady dismounted and calmed horse down as soon as she left the ring.

Exactly, surely if you found yourself on a horse that could not only be a danger to yourself but to those around you... the last thing you would be thinking about would be etiquette towards the judge. You could always just leave quickly if needs be, then go up to the judge later on and apologize.

EDIT - That being said, i've never competed in a show myself so basing my judgements on my own common sense.

 

[*MoodyMare*]

Exactly, surely if you found yourself on a horse that could not only be a danger to yourself but to those around you... the last thing you would be thinking about would be etiquette towards the judge. You could always just leave quickly if needs be, then go up to the judge later on and apologize.

Agreed

 

[Shantara]

What a lovely judge!
I was at a show the other week, just watching, and in the championship class one of the horses started playing up. Rearing, spinning, refusing to go. In the end, the lady riding just rode straight out of the ring but didn't say anything to the judge. I thought it was okay? Judge didn't say anything and lady dismounted and calmed horse down as soon as she left the ring.

All our judges have been like this. Kind, funny and helpful. Ours always have a bit of a chat while they're looking at the horse. In bigger shows, sure I would expect top class etiquette from all involved, but not locals.

 

[*MoodyMare*]

All our judges have been like this. Kind, funny and helpful. Ours always have a bit of a chat while they're looking at the horse. In bigger shows, sure I would expect top class etiquette from all involved, but not locals.

I must admit, one year I did the show that I was using as my example and the horse I was riding was misbehaving. I went to the judge and explained that I was nervous and she was so lovely! I even got a rosette

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh my life! What a bizarre thread!
Ive not actually entered anything myself for years, firstly due to unsuitable horses then I guess after so long its a confidence thing, I can think of nothing worse than people concentrating so hard on my riding and having to learn all these weird little rules.
OP I think your sister is incredibly brave to have entered at all and its despicable of the judge to have behaved in such a nasty manner. Such a shame.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Not getting into whether it's entirely factual account but as you were shocked by the judge's manners (or lack of), may I just say that it was rude for your sister to leave the ring without being excused. Two wrongs don't make a right.

No, I don't think so. No one, either in the workplace and much less, doing a hobby, should have to be publically humiliated and bullied.
If I'd been in the line up, I'd have left with her. Totally unacceptable. I do hope some of the spectators gave her some support.

 

[*MoodyMare*]

No, I don't think so. No one, either in the workplace and much less, doing a hobby, should have to be publically humiliated and bullied.
If I'd been in the line up, I'd have left with her. Totally unacceptable. I do hope some of the spectators gave her some support.

This is a pretty good point.

 

[DIESELSUPERSTAR]

Ok a few things seem to have gone a miss with this post. I am new to this and didn't read through before posting and missed out a few things.

1. my main point was that the judge called my sister a gypsy and used it in a derogatory way, in a coloured class, for all she knew my sister WAS a gypsy.

2. My sister fled the ring in tears, and not just one tear dripping down her cheek, absolutely flooding with tears and dragging poor patrick in tow as she mentally could not stay in the ring and be battered any more.

3. I realise how i worded something was a bit wrong. 'i do shows for fun but want to get to the top' was confusing. I bought my trad in June, he is 5 years old. I am determined not to waste him. I have gone all out this summer, entered a show every week and have committed myself to take him places. I don't expect to win, I just mean I want to get to as many shows and dressage etc as possible and if that means i get to hoys one day in the future, then i wont say no to it!!! I have competed for the last 15 years as an irish dancer, becoming both regional, national and world champion over the years. I am hardened to the judges opinion and it doesn't bother me, I also have my own dance school and know how upset my dancers get when the judge doesn't choose them. So my point is I want to try and get places with my boy, but at the same time its not a career, I do it for fun and am proud of my boy even when he is pulled in last place.

3. Some of the people on this thread have understood my post completely and understand how awful the situation was in every aspect. but then the rest of you are being as bad as the judge! my sister doesn't choose to be nervous, she can not help it, she has a learning difficulty and was extensively bullied at school and has recently suffered bullying in the work place. Her horse is her get away and true enough maybe the show ring isn't her place but she shouldn't be made to feel the way she did for having a go.

4. When i said about dressage, I mean just a bit of riding club dressage with friendly faces. My sister doesn't get offended by people telling her or her horse they are rubbish or didn't do something right, she really does not care! She is just proud of Patrick for keeping her safe and allowing her to enjoy it!

5. My sister received her money back for her ridden class that she didnt compete in because it was the same judge - i didn't make that clear. We both paid for our in hand class even though she walked out.

Not everyone goes to a show to win. and not all of us are brought up in the showing world. I dont know how to react to a judge or what to say, I am my usual polite self and am learning slowly. Learning to stand my boy up properly and the correct etiquette doesnt just come naturally engrained in everyones brains. at a small local show the judge should try to educate you and let you make mistakes and learn from them in a polite way. Diesels first show he refused to trot up, the judge was wonderful, encouraging and had a bit of a giggle with me about it which made me feel like i had a great day out even though we went from 3rd place down to last. Its all about experience for me! Going to a show helps horses to deal with different atmospheres and generally makes them easier to handle and ride around new horses etc in my own opinion. I ride Patrick at shows for my sister and will ride him to dressage but if she could of had a good experience with the judge then she would be brimming with confidence and take patrick to his full potential.

sorry to those posters who seem to think me and my sister don't belong in a show ring and have disgraced ourselves for having a go... some how you have now proven to me that yes there are lovely people to deal with... but also awful ones to!!!

 

[*MoodyMare*]

OP, please don't feel you have to justify yourself to us. Some of the posters can be a bit headstrong when it comes to replying to threads - me included.

I am truely sorry that your sister is devastated by her showing experience, if you can, I feel it's really important to get her out to another one as soon as possible so she can realize that it's not all bad.

 

[Pasha]

I wonder if a lot of the posters replying to this thread actually show?

OP the way you and your sister were spoken to is absolutely appaulling and I don't blame her for leaving the ring! Affiliated judges (or ones I have met) would never speak to competitors in that manner!

In my experience, if the judge says hello, you say hello back (they are a more informal judge, sometimes quite young - they do exist, shock horror!). If the judge says good morning, you reply good morning, but if god forbid you are nervous and stutter or reply hello back, the most you will get is a reassuring smile and sometimes a wink if you're lucky!

You do sometimes get very traditional formal judges, but the ones I have come accross (and maybe I have just been lucky and picked the most friendly county shows and HOYS qualifiers) soon realise if you are nervous and happy to give you more time to get yourself together!

The Judge almost never gives commands anyway, it is the steward! And some of these are the most humourous and jovial people I have ever come accross - some of the line ups I have been in have been a right laugh!

It's not just affiliated either - I did an unaffilliated Novice Horse class (Sunshine Tour qualifier) for the first time this year on a friends horse. I hadn't sat on in months and it was his first show. We were a little bit green, as were some of the other competitors, and the judge was lovely

IMO if the judges aren't happy to be there and dont want to give the competitors a good experience, they shouldnt be judging! It's not school!

 

[DIESELSUPERSTAR]

haha sorry its hard not to have your say on these sights!!

Like I have said previously, Ive done 6 shows this summer, including a county show where the judge and both stewards were hilarious and settled me right in. The first show we went to, where my sister got 2nd place, the judge admired patrick and said i bet my sister wouldnt change him for the world, the person who got first place trotted up wrong, but because the judge liked the horse she said she would forgive the lady and place them first regardless..

Other shows I have done the judges have all had a little chit chat with me, or a giggle with me, probably realising how nervous I am!!

Which may be why i was so shocked at this judge i came across. But maybe this is fairly normal. Iv never met anyone in any situation be so rude so dont know why she felt the need to be. The lady who won the class even came to my sister after the class and told her not to worry as in 10 years of competing she had never met someone so rude or unknowledgable in a coloured class.

Im off to ride my boy diesel now, Its his first ridden outing on sunday and im going to try him with the saddle bags!!

 

[Kallibear]

sorry to those posters who seem to think me and my sister don't belong in a show ring and have disgraced ourselves for having a go... some how you have now proven to me that yes there are lovely people to deal with... but also awful ones to!!!

I don't think anyone suggested you shouldn't have had a go (and if that's what they did mean then they should be ashamed of themselves!)

But your sister will come across nasty impatient people like that judge in all walks of life and needs to learn to cope with it. Noone ever likes being treated like that but most learn to shrug it off. Learning difficulties aren't easily spotted (esp by insensitive judges) but she can't have the best of both worlds : either she wants to be treated like everyone else and be 'normal' (is there a 'normal!?) and needs to cope with all that entails or she wants special treatment and treated differently from everyone else. I'd imagine the judge treated everyone like that. If it's any consolation then at least you weren't 'victimised'!

It's really sad that what should have been a fun day was ruined by a rude judge but she (and you) cannot let it ruin everything else. She needs to learn to cope (without getting so hysterically upset) with situations like that.

.s look up the judges name on the schedule so you know who to avoid in future.

 

[lastchancer]

The judge sounds like a right piece of work, no excuse for treating someone like that.
She should also learn the difference between a gelding and a stallion before she presumes to judge whose horse is the best...

 

[Mardy Mare]

Good luck for Sunday! Glad to hear your sister had support from other competitors and hopefully she will find the courage to go to a show in the near future.

 

[weebarney]

Is that right? I would have imagined that you could retire from a class at any point at which you felt uncomfortable, in the same way as for example in a SJ class or a ODE? I would just have expected to maybe nod to the judge (if they were not the reason for me leaving in the first place!) and leave quietly. I would not expect to have to interrupt the class to obtain 'permission' to leave from the judge (who if I understand from this thread you are also not supposed to speak to?). I have not been in this situation before, but have certainly seen people leaving mid showing class, generally due to a misbehaving horse. You make it sound almost as if you are a prisoner in the ring, having paid to enter bound to stick it out to the bitter end regardless...

I can think of better ways to spend a weekend than to pay to be shouted at and belittled and then ask permission to leave... Crazy

 

[weebarney]

The judge sounds like a right piece of work, no excuse for treating someone like that.
She should also learn the difference between a gelding and a stallion before she presumes to judge whose horse is the best...

Yes that is a little strange, I would have definitely questioned that judges eyesight.

 

[ozpoz]

I hope with time you will both be able to look back and giggle at your encounter with what sounds like the most outrageous judge in the country.
It is expected that competitors stay in the ring, or ask the steward permission to leave - for safety reasons, like walkways and spectators, and because the judge is already sorting out an order of preference as the class goes on. Stewards are supposed to be aware and ready to help with a swift exit, if needed. They don't want an out of control horse, or loose horse in the ring. There is always time for a desperate "get me out of here" gesture if you can't manage a polite bow and signal. : )
However, in the circumstances, your sister was right to leave - I do feel for her, and hope she encounters someone normal, the next time.

 

[dressagelove]

She sounds like a delight! I'd have told her where to stick it.

 

[Sunshine]

Not read the last couple of pages (so apologies if I have missed anything relevant) but I just had to comment on the judge's attitude and the commands on how she wished to be addressed.

I'm sorry but I have to agree that the judge should have set an example and addressed her competitor with "Good morning" if that is how she wished to be reciprocated. Speak as you wish to be spoken to and all that. As regards the barking orders across the ring part, where was the steward at this point? If there was a problem the steward should have been aware and assisting the judge to resolve the issue, so that neither the judge felt frustrated or things escalated.

 

[Highlands]

Join TGCA, tradional gypsy cob association! They like cobs! My trad is pretty fab! Bad luck but put it behind you!

 

[Carlosmum]

Please don't let one bad experience put you off. As a judge I will always say hello /good morning to each competitor as they present themselves it may vary depending on what I said to the last person, saying G'morning 10 times can get a bit monotonous! A similar reply would be nice but in the case of a nervous person I'd be happy with a grin/smile. I would also ask riders to give each other space, it's not always clear who are 'stable mates' & its easier to see if there is space between horses. I have often stewarded with judges who issue their own instructions, I think sometimes they forget they are the judge not the steward & others if a situation arises its quicker to speak oneself rather than explain to the steward.
As one poster said things do get better further up the levels but all judges have an off day.