What do judges look for in a young handler class?

[zangels]

My daughter is taking her pony in this class at tge weekend. It is a class for under 12's. What will she be judged on and what are judges looking for? It must be a hard class to judge when the children could be do different in age. Any tips appreciated.

 

[Bobbly]

Basically, a mini adult! Imagine a professional handler and try their best to copy them. Be alert (judges have eyes in the back of their heads) and watch what's going on, bring pony out to stand up for the judge, stand in front facing pony while judge looks at it, keep it interested and head up, move to the side so judge can view front, pick up rein and smartly move pony away in walk (by it's shoulder not dragging it along) in a straight line, away a sensible distance, turning pony away from themselves on a small 'lollipop' and moving into a smart but controlled trot straight back and on past the judge continuing beyond and around the line up before stopping and standing pony in halt whether the judge is watching directly or not (they may well be....). Don't let them wander off in their show, straight up and back, judge will move out of the way! Judge is looking for appearance, control, behaviour etc, of the handler, doesn't matter if they are leading an elephant or a goat the principle is the same, and a smile always goes down well! It helps if the child has a spot to focus on when walking away, so they can head straight for it, whether it be a post or Mum outside the ring or a dog. Good Luck, most importantly, have fun!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Smile! A child that looks grim makes them appear to be forced there against their will!

Make sure she stays beside the pony when moving - not dragging it along. A responsive pony is worth its weight in gold in these classes.

Be attentive and polite to judge and steward.

When standing the pony up I always walk forwards and for the last 2 strides spin round in front of the pony and walk backwards - 9/10 my ponies stop square or square enough. If the ponies front feet are square the hinds can be slightly off square. Do minimal fiddling - if only one foot needs moved then back a step, if more then always forward a step.

When pony is standing get the child to pick up some grass/arena surface to sprinkle down to in theory attract the ponies attention and get it to prick its ears - even if the pony couldnt care less you are doinh something rather than nothing.

Walk away in a dead straight line, come out on a curve and then turn the pony away from you and head straight back towards the judge. Walk 2-3strides off of the bend before trotting straight back to the judge - they will move.

Even if everything else is forgotton always remember to smile and look as though you are enjoying yourself

 

[minesadouble]

Agree with the previous replies, however it is an awful lot to take in for a little one! Having judged these classes the main things to remember are;
1. Always turn the pony AWAY from you, at least half the class, usually more 'pull' them towards themselves.
2. At least make an effort to stand the pony up correctly, even if the pony is uncooperative if the child tries to do something about it it shows the child recognises the pony is not shown to its best.
3. Always stand in front of the pony whilst the judge looks at it from the side, make sure you are not obscuring any of the pony whilst judge is trying to view!
Best of luck and enjoy!
Edited to add these are the three most common things I mark children down for when judging, especially the first ;-)

 

[Carlosmum]

I judged a young handler a few weeks ago. There were only 2. My winner was a lad who totally looked the part and presented his pony beautifully, standing her up & 'working her' all the time. I actually thought it was too much but he tried so hard I had to put him top. I could just see him on the end of a Welsh cob stallion in 20 yrs . The other youngster did nothing wrong at all but made no effort to 'present' the pony and looked a little robotic. In the end this sort of class is always subjective.

 

[zangels]

Thank you for the replies they are a great help. I

 

[Jack2015]

Is there an 'upto' size pony that is deemed as an appropriate size for a young handler? Looking at a young handler class for a county show next year. It's upto age 11. My daughter will be 11 and she has an extremely well behaved 14.2hh connemara. They are doing extremely well together out showing and we went for a slightly bigger pony so hopefully we can keep him forever. We do get comments such as 'he's quite a big pony isnt he' and 'she'll certainly not grow out of him in a hurry' etc. In a Young Handler class would this go against them? X

 

[Jack2015]

 

[Pinkvboots]

Is there an 'upto' size pony that is deemed as an appropriate size for a young handler? Looking at a young handler class for a county show next year. It's upto age 11. My daughter will be 11 and she has an extremely well behaved 14.2hh connemara. They are doing extremely well together out showing and we went for a slightly bigger pony so hopefully we can keep him forever. We do get comments such as 'he's quite a big pony isnt he' and 'she'll certainly not grow out of him in a hurry' etc. In a Young Handler class would this go against them? X

My friends 10 year old daughter did young handler with my Arab years ago he is 15h no one said anything, I can't imagine it can go against them as its often harder to control a bigger pony

 

[Pinkvboots]

View attachment 146596

They look good just go and enjoy yourselves

 

[Jack2015]

My friends 10 year old daughter did young handler with my Arab years ago he is 15h no one said anything, I can't imagine it can go against them as its often harder to control a bigger pony

It says in the Cheshire County Show schedule..... 'must be appropriate size for handler' , so just wondered? X

 

[minesadouble]

She will be fine.
I suspect the wording in the schedule is there to discourage tiny tots bringing in bigger things they can't really manage.
Your pair look fine together.

 

[SEL]

The lady on here who has the lovely Clydesdale has had her daughter show him in young handlers.

 

[Snowfilly]

The lady on here who has the lovely Clydesdale has had her daughter show him in young handlers.

The local heavy horse club have a young handlers at every show and we often have 7-10 year olds handling shires! They’re easier than shetlands at times.

 

[Pinkvboots]

It says in the Cheshire County Show schedule..... 'must be appropriate size for handler' , so just wondered? X

I think she will be fine as others have said.

 

[abbijay]

The lady on here who has the lovely Clydesdale has had her daughter show him in young handlers.

That would be us
My 11yo daughter takes my 17.1 Clydesdale in young handler classes at riding club and heavy horse shows. They adore each other and after lots of practice do a nice enough show now.
From what I’ve seen judges are looking for the most competent handler, although they will be forgiven for not being perfect based on age. When they say “appropriate size” I think that’s a polite way of saying they must be in control of the horse. Mine is shown by my mini-me in a stallion chain, I don’t need it but he is much bigger than her so he wears it for safety (and she understands how strong it can be so is learning to be very soft with it).
And I can’t not post a photo of how cute they are together…

 

[Cowpony]

I've stewarded in young handler classes, and in every class there is one small child whose parents have paired them with a large pony, in the hope that the judge will be impressed. It usually backfires.

Not aimed at any posters above! But I'd suggest practicing with other ponies to see if the child really can control the pony. I've had to escort more than one out of the arena in tears because they were about to lose control.

 

[abbijay]

I've stewarded in young handler classes, and in every class there is one small child whose parents have paired them with a large pony, in the hope that the judge will be impressed. It usually backfires.

Not aimed at any posters above! But I'd suggest practicing with other ponies to see if the child really can control the pony. I've had to escort more than one out of the arena in tears because they were about to lose control.

I think people often use young handler classes for "there's nothing else you can enter with what horses we've got." That's certainly true for us. But it is on the adults to ensure the horse is "schooled" to show in hand - which is often overlooked - and that child and horse are suitably prepped for the class. We have put a lot of work in over 18 months to take him from trotting off in hand with me to my daughter being able to run a lap of honour with him in full control. This has involved groundwork from me, her individual practice at home, her handling him in different situations (like in the school when others are riding) and various "spook busting" to ensure he isn't phased by whatever ridiculousness comes our way at a show. A suitable horse for a young handler class is more about training and temperament than looks; over horsing a child is easy but it takes many forms.
I would far rather see my daughter showing with our big horse whom she loves and has a very strong relationship built on mutual respect that I know will behave for her than some smaller but feisty pony who has no manners towards her and could put everyone in danger.