| One of the biggest complaints I hear from new | | | | the most important consideration for a judge while in |
| owners and riders is not understanding why a horse | | | | the Arabian English Pleasure Junior Horse class |
| show class is pinned the way it is. It is important to | | | | QUALITY is the most important. Unless the spectator |
| understand the ring from a judge's perspective. That | | | | is also a judge or an exhibitor who has learned the |
| vantage point will help you understand class results | | | | rules, these subtle rule changes are not known by the |
| and help you to enjoy the sport more. In this article, | | | | spectator who is wondering why the judge placed the |
| equestrian riders and horse show enthusiasts will learn | | | | class the way he did. It may be that the best horse in |
| the 3 things most spectators fail to learn. | | | | the class was wearing an illegal bit. In that situation, |
| 1. A CLOSE UP LOOK! In halter classes, the judge is | | | | there is no discretion or forgiveness! The judge MUST |
| selecting the best representative of your breed by | | | | disqualify entries using illegal tack. But, the spectator |
| evaluating certain criteria: overall balance, structural | | | | may not know the bit was illegal and is left wondering |
| correctness, soundness, muscling, refinement, quality, | | | | why the best horse did not win a ribbon at all! Rather |
| type and motion. Only SOME of these characteristics | | | | than thinking, "gosh, there must be something I do not |
| will be apparent to the spectator. For example, are the | | | | know", spectators too often think "gosh, that judge is |
| horse's cannon bones properly aligned beneath his | | | | crazy!" My advice to spectators is to get the rule book |
| knees? Does he have well shaped hooves or does he | | | | for your discipline or breed and become familiar with |
| have contracted heels? These are important facts for | | | | the rules. |
| a judge to discover in order to make a proper | | | | 3. REWARD EXCELLENCE! The most important point |
| placement of the horses in the class. Spectators are | | | | to make about performance classes that spectators |
| most often never in a position to see this closely and | | | | usually fail to see is this: The quality and ability of a |
| will not have the facts to make a good evaluation. | | | | horse cannot be completely discounted just because |
| In performance classes, spectators tends to watch | | | | of a single mechanical error during the performance of |
| their own child or friend when the class is in the ring | | | | the class. Let me elaborate. When horses enter the |
| and do not pay as much attention to the others. But | | | | class, I form a mental evaluation of each horses' |
| the judge must watch everyone! From the center ring, | | | | overall ability, athleticism, style and beauty while in |
| the judge has the ability to turn and watch from | | | | motion. In an English Pleasure class, if a horse enters |
| vantage points not available to those outside the ring. | | | | the gate with a long stride, high action, driving from his |
| That judge is seeing things the spectator is probably | | | | hind quarters, with a beautiful frame and elegant way |
| missing, all of which goes into his placement of the | | | | of going, I may give him a 10. If the next horse that |
| class. | | | | enters the class is short-strided and stiff-kneed with a |
| 2. RULES ARE RULES! Often the spectator does not | | | | low headset and frame, I might see that horse as a 4. |
| know the rules as they pertain to each class. For | | | | If the outstanding horse who I saw as a 10, steps off |
| example, in Arabian Mare halter classes TYPE is the | | | | on the wrong lead, but it is quickly corrected, I may |
| most important factor to consider according to the | | | | move him to a 9 in my mind. If the horse I evaluated as |
| rules, but, in Arabian Gelding halter classes, | | | | a 4 performs without any technical errors, he remains |
| CONFORMATION is the most important factor. | | | | a 4. The bottom line is that a 9 still beats a 4! Do not |
| Because the rules are different, the evaluations made | | | | discount all that is excellent about a horse just |
| by the judge will be different. Most often the observer | | | | because of a mechanical mistake. Too many |
| does not know that the class specifications change | | | | spectators judge from a negative standpoint rather |
| from one class to another. | | | | than a positive standpoint. It seems easier to keep a |
| Similarly, in performance classes the judge must apply | | | | record of mistakes rather than evaluating quality. But |
| the rules while at the same time evaluating the class. In | | | | that is not good judging. Reward excellence, equestrian |
| an Arabian English Pleasure Open class, MANNERS is | | | | riders and spectators! |