Showing anyone?

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Eventz30

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I know a lot of people don't particularly like showing because of the politics and I have had a good example recently in a class we did.

We got into showing by unlucky chance when my horse was injured and could not event. I would rather be eventing and hopefully once my new horse is ready we will be. I do enjoy the showing usually though now I have the bug.

We did a class recently and it was a big class and I would not of liked to have had to judge it. However, half the horses pulled in at the head of the line up misbehaved for the ride judge. Then when the final line up was declared at least four of the riders were called in by first name and the rest by number. It was clear they riders called in by first name were known to one of the judges and I find it so wrong they would make it this obvious and place them like that.

We are actually now going to avoid any further classes with that judge as we know the same thing will happen again.
 
So it wouldn't be because the horses at the top of the line up were the best of the class?

Showing is subjective - every judge has a preference of a certain type over another.

The judge may know the names but might not actually know them - guessing the top 4 were pros?
 
we are finding that we are competing against the same people at each and every competition, so judges may well know some by first name. Also, people do get to know which judge likes their horse or pony, so will be a regular competing under that judge!
 
Ditto,

I only take youngsters and my oldie for a day out showing now.

Entered a coloured class on my spotty (Chaps eligible so a coloured horse). She came 2nd. I think turn out was ok, I was clean, leather boots, hairnet, stock, jacket, white jods (I think they should have been cream but I was jumping later), matchy black gp tack, clean horse hogged and trimmed (local level show).

Beau did a lovely short show somewhat hampered by the instruction not to canter as the next ring had pony jumping and it upset one of the horses who misbehaved quite a bit so no cantering allowed in the ring in case we upset poor horse and rider any more. Still Beau pointed her toes and rounded her back and did her best and I tried really hard with my position to show her off. We even stood in the line up like a musical statue.

Horse who won, turn out: unbrushed long mane and tail still with plant life in it, dirty white bits, rider in chaps and carrying bright red whip hair in pony tail, trotted round with neck out and tripped several times rider's arms and legs flapping and lots of air between rider and tack. Oh and this was the horse which misbehaved to such an extent we were banned from cantering in our individual show! Turns out she was related to show orgniser (who is absolutely lovely)

Now I know the judges decision is final but I did politely ask for feedback so I could not let my pony down next time and was stutteringly told she was too long in the back for an appy. Beau has no appy in her to my knowledge, she is a knab pony cross.

My friends show at much higher level and tell me this is standard lower down but gets better higher up.
 
"So it wouldn't be because the horses at the top of the line up were the best of the class?

Showing is subjective - every judge has a preference of a certain type over another.

The judge may know the names but might not actually know them - guessing the top 4 were pros?"

I dont doubt they were not good horses and I totally agree about it being subjective. The top four were not actually professionals, the one professional who was in the top of the line up was dropped.
 
"Horse who won, turn out: unbrushed long mane and tail still with plant life in it, dirty white bits, rider in chaps and carrying bright red whip hair in pony tail, trotted round with neck out and tripped several times rider's arms and legs flapping and lots of air between rider and tack. Oh and this was the horse which misbehaved to such an extent we were banned from cantering in our individual show! Turns out she was related to show orgniser (who is absolutely lovely)

Now I know the judges decision is final but I did politely ask for feedback so I could not let my pony down next time and was stutteringly told she was too long in the back for an appy. Beau has no appy in her to my knowledge, she is a knab pony cross."

I have followed a very steep learning curb in showing, i cringe looking back at how we used to be attired but the horses were always immaculatley turned out and clean- the minimum requirement I would say.

I ask for feed back at times and its very good to recieve it when it is helpful. We did get some feedback once and then a guy next to me shot over and said 'dont listen, they just had to ask you whether your horse was pure or sport' 'they clearly dont have a clue in the first place' fair point I thought :)
 
Then when the final line up was declared at least four of the riders were called in by first name and the rest by number. It was clear they riders called in by first name were known to one of the judges and I find it so wrong they would make it this obvious and place them like that.
Click to expand...

The showing world is incredibly small (like all things equine) - and it's inevitable that competitors/judges & stewards alike will know each other in some classes. However it is the steward, not the judge, who calls the competitors in to line - and although perhaps unfortunate to use a first name, it happens ocassionaly. And it is the judge who decides on the placings, not the steward (who may have known the entrants name).
 
"The showing world is incredibly small (like all things equine) - and it's inevitable that competitors/judges & stewards alike will know each other in some classes. However it is the steward, not the judge, who calls the competitors in to line - and although perhaps unfortunate to use a first name, it happens ocassionaly. And it is the judge who decides on the placings, not the steward (who may have known the entrants name)."

Cannot disagree with that and was something I had not considered tbh.
 
In Shetland showing there is a sentence in the Judges Guidelines section that states that a judge should not call a competitor by their first name in the ring. Likewise the other way round in the Exhibitor Guidelines - don't address a judge by their first name.
 
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