alainax
Well-Known Member
We're gonna be £12 a class at our local showng show - is this expensive?
Wondering if anyone elses local shows are a bit biased?
- Thread starter Umbongo
- Start date
somethingorother
Well-Known Member
I have no problem with the classes costing more or the prizes only going to 6th place etc, everything is more expensive now than it was 10 years ago or whatever. I don't think £6 a class is that expensive.
I do have a problem with our local show a few years ago (when i had a go once or twice) which was held at a local livery yard and all the first prizes went to the people who were stabled on that yard
It's reasons like that which means i've not done any showing for years. Have considered it recently, but although my share is county standard, and did well in his day, we have black tack and i don't have the right coloured johds etcetc... It's just expensive to do for a bit of fun and i feel we would be looked down on.
I do have a problem with our local show a few years ago (when i had a go once or twice) which was held at a local livery yard and all the first prizes went to the people who were stabled on that yard
It's reasons like that which means i've not done any showing for years. Have considered it recently, but although my share is county standard, and did well in his day, we have black tack and i don't have the right coloured johds etcetc... It's just expensive to do for a bit of fun and i feel we would be looked down on.
peanut
Well-Known Member
pricklyflower
Well-Known Member
What I hate about our local shows is judges not looking at the classes on the schedule they're supposed to be judging.
At the last local show the judge asked the competitors to all canter together in First Ridden Classes when it clearly stipulates in the schedule "no cantering except in individual show". Luckily for my daughter, her pony was very well behaved and was the only one that didn't buck or gallop off when a bolting pony with a 6 year old child on it galloped past her. If that wasn't bad enough, she got them to do it all again (cantering) in the championship class. When I complained to Secretary of show she said that it was up to the judge on the day!!
The other thing that annoys me iss Welsh Cobs being shown in SHOW COB classes and then doing a Mountain and Moorland, or the M&M ponies doing a M&M class then going in show pony classes, I thought you could only do one or the other. Also warmbloods doing Foreign Breed classes which I thought were only for your more native foreign horses??
At the last local show the judge asked the competitors to all canter together in First Ridden Classes when it clearly stipulates in the schedule "no cantering except in individual show". Luckily for my daughter, her pony was very well behaved and was the only one that didn't buck or gallop off when a bolting pony with a 6 year old child on it galloped past her. If that wasn't bad enough, she got them to do it all again (cantering) in the championship class. When I complained to Secretary of show she said that it was up to the judge on the day!!
The other thing that annoys me iss Welsh Cobs being shown in SHOW COB classes and then doing a Mountain and Moorland, or the M&M ponies doing a M&M class then going in show pony classes, I thought you could only do one or the other. Also warmbloods doing Foreign Breed classes which I thought were only for your more native foreign horses??
Cat&Mouse
Well-Known Member
GREAT! I am just about to try & get myself back into the swing of competing as I have been out of the scene for almost 10 years & thought local shows would be ideal untill I get a bit more experience in the ring. Starting to think it a bad idea.
Our most local Riding club won't let over 19's compete? whats all that about it used to be anyone & everyone have a go as long as you are safe & sensible!
Our most local Riding club won't let over 19's compete? whats all that about it used to be anyone & everyone have a go as long as you are safe & sensible!
Hippona
Well-Known Member
I think thats outrageous.....I wouldnt be doing it. As it is, its only a bit of fun for daughter, she likes collecting and displaying her rosettes....but we're talking almost £50 for a few local showing classes. That would put it out of reach for many. Lets face it- when money's tight you spend on horse essentials....
Kub
Well-Known Member
I know what you mean. I went to a show in somerset on Sunday and the ridden classes were for 10 year old and under, which is great. My friend's daughter entered the first ridden class, did a lovely show along with a couple of others, and at the end they judged it on the biggest smile!!!!
Unsurprisingly, mum and daughter were pretty miffed! I'm all for fun classes, but call them that. It was a first ridden class and should have been judged as such! Especially at £8 for the class...
And when judges have favourites or know the pony, the rest us don't stand much of a chance
Unsurprisingly, mum and daughter were pretty miffed! I'm all for fun classes, but call them that. It was a first ridden class and should have been judged as such! Especially at £8 for the class...
And when judges have favourites or know the pony, the rest us don't stand much of a chance
Umbongo
Well-Known Member
Kub: I think you are quite near me 
Kub
Well-Known Member
Oooo where abouts are you? I'm based in Street
Umbongo
Well-Known Member
Oooo where abouts are you? I'm based in Street
Based in Keinton Mandeville, near Lydeford?
Kub
Well-Known Member
Not far from me at all! May well see you on the local show circuit 
Dubsie
Well-Known Member
And in our ex-racehorses classes, I have noticed a trend. Grays come first, then bays, then chestnuts last. No matter how well behaved and good condition the chestnuts were or how horrible the grays were! Judges preference for coat colour
Ah there's a show local to us where in all the showing classes bays are first, then everything else, finally greys and last chestnuts. I forgot I'd noticed this judge in 3 consecutive classes place them in that order before, long before daughter got into ponies. Must be difficult I know when you're judging eg veteran where you get all sorts, but personal colour bias shouldn't count, things like conformation, behaviour and cantering on correct leg IMO are more important.
Anyhow last year she rode a grey for this judge, this time she rode a chestnut but next time I'll try to remember she must ride our bay :0)
Minxie
Well-Known Member
I don't know enough about costs etc to comment on the other parts but couldn't agree more with this one. My friend competes my mare at preliminary dressage (just about to move to novice tonight
) but in the class are affiliated riders and horses. Okay its an Open class so they are completely entitled to enter but what is the point ? It can't be for the experience so I don't see what they get out of beating others who starting out.
I used to get frustrated for my mates sake but now we just laugh that they clearly have little else in their lives they need to go out and bury the beginner opposition to make themselves feel good - cause i honestly can't see why else they would do it.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
because there might not have been any BD locally for a while
and because unaff is cheaper
and if on a surface its nice to get to ride in an arena once in a while instead of a rock hard field (nb am not aff but if I was that is how I would think if I were!)
and because unaff is cheaper
and if on a surface its nice to get to ride in an arena once in a while instead of a rock hard field (nb am not aff but if I was that is how I would think if I were!)
ldlp111
Well-Known Member
Well obviously they have overheads, but howcome an indoor place can run classes cheaper with a small trophy for first and bag of sweets to 3rd than an outdoor place?
wench
Well-Known Member
my gelding was at two county shows (working hunter) last year in black tack and it didnt get commented on. He only had black at the time so thats what he was wearing, not a brown saddle that didnt fit!
littlen
Well-Known Member
I think they are massively biased.
I have attended 2 so far with my well turned out arab (black tack though as he is grey and I think black looks smarter) and little welsh mare.
At the first show the same lady took home every first, she was then at the second show and also took first everywhere.
My welsh pony was placed behind two obese ponies by a well known producer, despite them rippling when they moved. She was then taken into first ridden and was beaten by a 2 year old holding onto the handle of the front of her saddle.
Onto the foreign breed class, to be told by a person running the show that arabs are rarely seen as they are not that intelligent and also was placed last in a line up (behind a woman in trainers with a horse in a headcollar, a woman in a hi-viz jacket, a horse that couldnt keep 4 legs on the ground and a horse so conformationally bad it waddled) and when I asked why was told the judge didnt like arabs hence last. He is not the best behaved admittedly but in that particular class was foot perfect, I would have understood if he was badly behaved!
Hence I am no longer showing and will look into show jumping instead
I have attended 2 so far with my well turned out arab (black tack though as he is grey and I think black looks smarter) and little welsh mare.
At the first show the same lady took home every first, she was then at the second show and also took first everywhere.
My welsh pony was placed behind two obese ponies by a well known producer, despite them rippling when they moved. She was then taken into first ridden and was beaten by a 2 year old holding onto the handle of the front of her saddle.
Onto the foreign breed class, to be told by a person running the show that arabs are rarely seen as they are not that intelligent and also was placed last in a line up (behind a woman in trainers with a horse in a headcollar, a woman in a hi-viz jacket, a horse that couldnt keep 4 legs on the ground and a horse so conformationally bad it waddled) and when I asked why was told the judge didnt like arabs hence last. He is not the best behaved admittedly but in that particular class was foot perfect, I would have understood if he was badly behaved!
Hence I am no longer showing and will look into show jumping instead
teagreen
Well-Known Member
I have a horse who is capable of RIHS and HOYS qualification, however he can be very naughty, particularly at the beginning of the season when he pretends he's never been on a showground before, or if he gets a fright mid-season. I take him to local/RC shows for a no pressure, quiet day out to get him thinking again; sometimes he behaves nicely and we win and that's great, other days he is absolutely shocking! But I have no shame in going to local shows with my good show horse - I'm not going for a fun day out to clean up, I'm taking him for an educational experience. I pay my entry fee, I don't always win because his behaviour often lets him down, and I couldn't give a scooby about the sad people who grumble about us. There are very very few quiet, no pressure shows for 'pro' show horses, so where else are we supposed to take them? I don't agree with people who take their good horses to tiny events purely to clean up, but so many of them are out for a reason other than to win.
Another point - more often than not, if you go to a teeny tiny show, you'll get rubbish local judges. How about you find out who your judge is before you go, do some research then decide if it's worth the entry fee? If it's Mrs Piddlington from the church then don't go, or don't complain when she has the fat shetland to win! If you go to a larger show (many RC's get in excellent judges for their showing shows, and there isn't a shortage of BSPS/NPS/PUK/agricultural shows about) then you are guaranteed a good judge - look out for judges who ride themselves, who breed, are on a panel etc. If you go to one of these shows and are placed below something horrid, then put that judge in your 'black book' and don't go back. Or try and improve yourself.
Also remember that showing is someone's opinion - maybe your horse just ISNT the best? So the judge had 3 greys at the top of the line up and your bay at the bottom - maybe your bay was a ewe necked, behind the leg dobbin and you wore a black jacket and stock? Everyone's horse is the most beautiful to them - it's the risk you take with showing where someone else will tell you if it REALLY is the best. If you don't think you can take that, don't go showing!
Another point - more often than not, if you go to a teeny tiny show, you'll get rubbish local judges. How about you find out who your judge is before you go, do some research then decide if it's worth the entry fee? If it's Mrs Piddlington from the church then don't go, or don't complain when she has the fat shetland to win! If you go to a larger show (many RC's get in excellent judges for their showing shows, and there isn't a shortage of BSPS/NPS/PUK/agricultural shows about) then you are guaranteed a good judge - look out for judges who ride themselves, who breed, are on a panel etc. If you go to one of these shows and are placed below something horrid, then put that judge in your 'black book' and don't go back. Or try and improve yourself.
Also remember that showing is someone's opinion - maybe your horse just ISNT the best? So the judge had 3 greys at the top of the line up and your bay at the bottom - maybe your bay was a ewe necked, behind the leg dobbin and you wore a black jacket and stock? Everyone's horse is the most beautiful to them - it's the risk you take with showing where someone else will tell you if it REALLY is the best. If you don't think you can take that, don't go showing!
teagreen
Well-Known Member
I think they are massively biased.
I have attended 2 so far with my well turned out arab (black tack though as he is grey and I think black looks smarter) and little welsh mare.
At the first show the same lady took home every first, she was then at the second show and also took first everywhere.
My welsh pony was placed behind two obese ponies by a well known producer, despite them rippling when they moved. She was then taken into first ridden and was beaten by a 2 year old holding onto the handle of the front of her saddle.
Onto the foreign breed class, to be told by a person running the show that arabs are rarely seen as they are not that intelligent and also was placed last in a line up (behind a woman in trainers with a horse in a headcollar, a woman in a hi-viz jacket, a horse that couldnt keep 4 legs on the ground and a horse so conformationally bad it waddled) and when I asked why was told the judge didnt like arabs hence last. He is not the best behaved admittedly but in that particular class was foot perfect, I would have understood if he was badly behaved!
Hence I am no longer showing and will look into show jumping instead
1) Perhaps the lady who won everytime had the best pony? Perhaps you could have congratulated her and learned from her rather than show such sour grapes at not winning.
2) How did your welsh pony look compared to them? Was she as well turned out? If they were produced ponies, they probably went beautifully - did yours? Just how obese were they, or were they just in better condition than yours?
3) A 2 year old? In the first ridden? That's good going! If it's true and the 2 year old did a good show then I'd have had her first too, shows a true first ridden pony! Maybe the 2 year old was on the best pony?
4) Judges all like different types and are entitled to their opinion - if the judge didn't like arabs then they didn't like arabs. I know of a few who hate them. It's an opinion based sport afterall.
Umbongo
Well-Known Member
Fair enough I can understand some pros going for experience.
Also with regards to the ex racehorses and the judges always placing the grays, then bays, then chestnuts. I never enter the class I am merely watching. I do not think that for instance: a gray horse with no condition, ewe neck etc, can't produce a good individual show, bucks and has a few little rears...should be placed ahead of a lovely well conditioned chestnut, beautifully behaved, lovely paces etc. Unless the judges think nutty badly behaved horses are better.
Also with regards to the ex racehorses and the judges always placing the grays, then bays, then chestnuts. I never enter the class I am merely watching. I do not think that for instance: a gray horse with no condition, ewe neck etc, can't produce a good individual show, bucks and has a few little rears...should be placed ahead of a lovely well conditioned chestnut, beautifully behaved, lovely paces etc. Unless the judges think nutty badly behaved horses are better.
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SmallHunter
Well-Known Member
I must be really lucky because despite not being a member of any riding club or being at a large yard that has its own shows I have still for the last 3 years managed to do really well at RC/local level showing. We are rarely out of the top 3 AND she's an Appaloosa (the original marmite breed) who I show in hunter classes.
But the problem is when it comes to their own horses people wear rose-tinted specs and think they are perfect. I accept my horses conformation faults and make up for them by always being immaculately turned out and making sure she is well schooled and gives the ride judge if there is one a brilliant ride.
But the problem is when it comes to their own horses people wear rose-tinted specs and think they are perfect. I accept my horses conformation faults and make up for them by always being immaculately turned out and making sure she is well schooled and gives the ride judge if there is one a brilliant ride.
Umbongo
Well-Known Member
I agree, but in my experience sometimes this is not the case. We have had judges come up to us after the show saying sorry, our horse should have won but they couldn't possibly upset the smaller children. I don't own a horse at the moment so I am not wearing any rose tinted specs, it is purely an observation at small local shows. However this cannot be so for those saying they have witnessed bias in local dressage or showjumping.
I think we will try to avoid those judges now, but it is very hard in my area to find any shows that are not like this.
humblepie
Well-Known Member
Its just as weird at county level just costs a lot more!
Lolo
Well-Known Member
I always find these posts a bit hard to reply to well. My horse and I usually do very well at our local RC shows in showing and showjumping and there have been comments in the past that it's because my mum is the RC secretary. My sister and I won a mini-major relay by quite a long shot (we were both going hell for leather...) and a lady who'd been pushed into second commented to her partner "Its because their mum's the secretary". Hmm... maybe not? As a result, my sister tends to get more uptight about these shows than the BE events as she knows that people will be judging her quite harshly. Often, a judge will chose a winner because thats who the judge believes is the best 'type' for the class: Reggie with his big paces and correct conformation will probably beat the mannerly ewe-necked horse despite being a bit all over the shop in canter because he is more correct for TB classes...
maxapple
Well-Known Member
Showing is a nightmare isn't it - I've had so many silly classes when you know the placings are all to do with who knows who / status bla bla bla.
That said - I took my 4 yr old in a potential competition horse in hand, couldn't trot the corners (we had to trot a triangle around cones!), was hanging on to him as I thought he was going to bugger off and he fell over once ... and we got placed 5th!! I think it may have had something to do with the fact I used to ride the judges horse 2 yrs ago - lol!!
That said - I took my 4 yr old in a potential competition horse in hand, couldn't trot the corners (we had to trot a triangle around cones!), was hanging on to him as I thought he was going to bugger off and he fell over once ... and we got placed 5th!! I think it may have had something to do with the fact I used to ride the judges horse 2 yrs ago - lol!!
ChesnutsRoasting
Well-Known Member
I find it sad that pro's take their experienced horses to local level shows - some people will do anything for a rosette. Nine times out of ten the judges are either bent/biased/past it/couldn't careless or a combination of all of those points.
I just love showing, can't you tell
I just love showing, can't you tell
black_horse
Well-Known Member
QR - why cant warmbloods enter foreign breeds? My horse is a pure german hanovarian mare, she is therefore a foreign breed aka not native to this country, so why cant i enter foreign breed classes?
Mithras
Well-Known Member
My local show seems to be dominated by who has the quietest, most docile horse, preferably half asleep with its nose near the ground. And must be under 16hh. My boy jumped a lovely clear in the working hunter, despite my having to keep ducking to avoid hitting my head on low branches (he is 17.1hh) and the judges sort of cowered back and said "thats a powerful beast". Never mind, the horse went well. The showing classes are much the same, they are dominated by the local riding club and pony club mafia and preferably the horse should be ready for a pony clubber to ride. That seems to be the way they judge it.
4faults
Well-Known Member
I live in the North West and there is a show which is renowned for placing its own before anyone else. Not just in unaffilated shows but also in qualifiers at affiliated level, so much so that a friend of mine was jumping a second round qualifier there against the yard owners son and as she jumped her round the clock 'broke', there were several ppl taping said jumping round and noted that her time beat the lads but we were just told sorry cant help you and her son took the qualifier!!!!! bit rambling sorry
helencharlie
Well-Known Member
I have competed in 2 showing classes at my local rc shows. I found the experience very enjoyable and friendly. We compete in the ex-race horse classes. Each time I have found the judges to be knowledagable and passed constructive comments on how I can improve my horse. I am under no illusion that my horse is perfect, there is still a lot that we can improve on in our schooling. We dont expect to win. We enter the show ring purely for the experience and to improve from previous shows. If we get placed then this is a pleasant bonus and is simply the icing on the cake to a good day out. I have never noticed any biased judging at my local rc shows. Taking your horse should be a fun and enjoyable experience. It is the taking part that counts, not the winning.