foxy
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Post by foxy on Jul 23, 2007 10:06:49 GMT
I did read the post carefully and I think it was extremely patronising.I have just read it again and feel exactly the same. I am not having a personal "go" at cayberry,merely saying that in my opinion he or she is taking local shows far too seriously.There is a place for both in the horse world and someone who is a judge should realise that not everyone aspires to affiliated showing.Some people just want to have a bit of FUN!! The showing world takes it'self far too seriously anyway,hence all the bleating about lost shows and qualifiers etc,while people are watching their lives float past the window and living in Leisure Centres.
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Post by nffan on Jul 23, 2007 10:16:50 GMT
You say that Cayberry is taking Local shows too seriously, I think what she is trying to say is that to some people their local shows are just as important to them as to those of us who go to affiiated shows, they pay their money spend the day before getting horses/ponies ready why should they not have a qualified judge. Just because it is a local show does not or should not mean that the competitors are not given a fair chance. I show at affiliated level and I have fun, if you do not maybe you need to look at yourself...many of us on here show and throughly enjoy we would not do it otherwise it is hard work and expensive.
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Post by nffan on Jul 23, 2007 10:19:45 GMT
The club whose committee I was on had a book of people who were willing to come and judge, and it was a case of phoning round the numbers in the book to see who was free on what day. We can't contact you if we don't know who or where you are! Those of you out there who are willing to step in, make yourself known to show secretaries I know they will be very grateful to have your help. These small clubs are always crying out for extra help, both judging and on the ground on the day. If you speak to PUK, NPS, NCPA they will send you a judges list with them all listed by area what panels they are on and how to contact them....Good Luck..
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Post by julie on Jul 23, 2007 10:24:15 GMT
Local shows are lovely.
Yes, showing should be fun - at whatever level.
HOWEVER
I am very lucky to be in an area with some very old well known, well respected local shows - ie always a strong turnout with county level animals interspersed with more homely ones. All these shows have an equally long history in having very good judges. I resent any judge at any level not doing their best to be fair and honest with the competitors by showing favoritism/ignorance/disdain or even boredom.
Anyone taking on the judges badge has a fundamental duty to do their best, to be fair and to be KIND TO CHILDREN, whatever their turnout. You know, at a basic level it isn't rocket science to read a schedule then pick out nice ponies/good riders etc....and before you ask, yes I have done it! Most people want to have fun and I applaud all the judges I know who give up a lot to trundle around some of the baby shows as well as the biggies, just because they love showing and want to put something back. But some others want a big smack! Boy, is the rain getting to me!!!!
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foxy
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Post by foxy on Jul 23, 2007 11:41:59 GMT
nffan I certainly enjoy my showing and have done for 30 years but i also like to keep it in perspective.I do it with a passion and most of my spare time is taken up being show secretary for 3 affiliated shows. However we have several local shows around here where we have everyone from the farrier to the feed merchant judging and that is fine nothing is at stake the kids have a great time and learn early on that all's fair in love and showing. You only have to read some of the other threads on here to see that the horse world is not the sweetness and light picture you are trying to paint.Be realistic,we have to deal with the moaning and the bit*hing and all the "conspiracy " theories in affiliated showing.Lets leave the locals alone please.
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Post by nffan on Jul 23, 2007 12:02:22 GMT
Many of us agree that local shows are often used as a stepping stone for people to move up to the next level which is great, however if they are judged by just 'anyone' this is not helpful.
Just one example:- I have seen coloureds, plaited's etc..winning in registered M&M classes, the competitors may not understand what registered M&Ms mean but the judges should know they are not eligible for that class and point them in the right direction. A judge at local level should have sufficient all round breed knowledge, at local shows competitors often ask the judges advice on things such as trimming, all breeds have different rules on this, judges should be well versed to be able to help these competitors which is what local shows should be.
You say there is nothing at stake to the kids at local shows, I disagree they are keen to win that red rosette as well as any of us and should be given the opportunity to try to fairly win that.
I have not tried to paint affiliated showing in sweetness and light but it is no more different than anything in life, it is what you make it, I love catching up with people I often only see at shows that is as good as competing for me....But like everything in life there is bit*hiness it is not just the showing world. I have made some great friends from showing some who even live close by who I would never of met without showing.
As much as we want it will be hard to completley eradicate, the conspriacies, favours etc..in affiliatied showing, however at local level we could easily eradicate the uncles, aunts etc..judging their relatives classes....local shows should be fair.
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foxy
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Post by foxy on Jul 23, 2007 13:19:54 GMT
You are so missing the point,local shows don't have to be fair.Life isn't fair. Rules Rules and more Rules don't make affiliated showing fair,so why should they make locals any better. Why do they need to be "helpful"? In this politically correct day and age we are in danger of losing "Olde England " with the vicar judging the dog with the waggiest tail and the local butcher choosing the best fruit cake. For goodness sake let's stop being so stuffy and laugh along with rest when the coloured pony wins the best M&M.Only thing I disagree with in that scenario is that the title of the class shouldn't have been registered M&M.
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Post by daphne on Jul 23, 2007 13:30:03 GMT
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Post by Guestless on Jul 23, 2007 14:03:35 GMT
I think part of the problem with local shows is that often the show secretaries themselves don't know that much about showing and so they select judges that are inappropriate. The local shows around here are very much a hit or miss - sometimes you are lucky and get a judge doing M&Ms that knows what they are doing, but others have to be seen to be believed.
I have varying comments at local shows from (1) your pony would be better suited to a day's work on a farm, (2) you've been placed 2nd because I think the 1st placed pony is prettier (despite 1st placed having very little (if any) native in them! IMO you have to have a good sense of humour to do local showing or make sure you check up on the judge beforehand!
Before anyone starts about pot-hunting - I take my youngsters and novice ponies out at local level, and not the more established ridden ponies.
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Post by flashthecash on Jul 23, 2007 14:09:46 GMT
Well I for one love the "Local Shows" and for all my sins, on the committee of our RC. People who are not involved don't realise that it's not just the show day's we give up but also the run up to the shows. My life has been taken over! by our RC. Would I give it up? NO! I started off at the RC, many, many moons ago and had so much fun. So now I'm giving back, what I took out, as a youngster. We as a RC always try to book panel judges. So far this has been good. Some judges we have booked or tried to book, are already committed to other shows. We have two booked for next year 2008 who we tried to book, last November (2006). So it isn't that easy. Saying that, We had one panel judge this year.. who put a pony down the line.. (yes one of those coloured M&M's) the mother was spitting blood! As a committee, we stood by the judges decision. Said mother was asked to stay quiet or leave the showground. Needless to say she stayed! We do pay all our Judges and feed them (very well) Breakfast, dinner and tea... So any of you panel judges out there want to come and judge for us... your more than welcome just PM me.
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Post by local on Jul 23, 2007 14:55:05 GMT
Some local show organisers can be a bit misguided. We do local shows if we have a baby pony or have issues to sort out with a novice, but will only go if we know the judge is a showing person. Placings are unimportant, but I have been to a local show before where the judge made us just walk around and line up in an M&M ridden class. The whole point of going was to give the baby experience of a group go-round and individual show, so it was a wasted effort.
We have also had instances where local show organisers dont print the judges name in the schedule, and when we've rung up to ask we are told "It's a secret until the day, we dont want people not coming because they dont like the judge" Can you imagine any of our affiliated shows doing that? Actually, it could be quite fun!! Bring the judge out into the ring in a cloak and balaclava, and then whisk it off just before the class starts to reveal their identity!!
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Post by nffan on Jul 23, 2007 15:16:44 GMT
Local = That would be great can you imagine it I am laughing thinking about it.....
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Post by ha ha on Jul 23, 2007 15:25:37 GMT
We have also had instances where local show organisers dont print the judges name in the schedule, and when we've rung up to ask we are told "It's a secret until the day, we dont want people not coming because they dont like the judge" Can you imagine any of our affiliated shows doing that? Actually, it could be quite fun!! Bring the judge out into the ring in a cloak and balaclava, and then whisk it off just before the class starts to reveal their identity!! What a great idea definitely the way forward.
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