I am trying to do some voice overs for the H & C programme on showing. It would be really helpful to get some advice/opinions if anyone had time?
I'm concerned whether I need to put things in real laymans language - you or I may say we're looking for a horse that's moves straight - but a novice might think that means he shouldn't bend his knees?!?
So:
The steward has already brought round his measuring stick so we can prepare the correct length of stirrups for the judge.
To become a show judge one must first ...
The judge rides your horse and the winning horse will most likely be the one that ...
Your horse has to �stand up� for the judge. All 4 legs should be visible from each side and the judge is checking for a build of horse that would carry him or hunting for half a day with no blemishes caused by bad conformation ...
In the �trot up� the judge is looking for ...
Okay, I am by no means a showing "expert", but to be perfectly honest, I found certain replies to kellymarks original post to be very rude and condescending !
NOT all of us were born in the showring.
To answer your questions Kelly from a showing novice's point of view, first of all, the majority of your viewing audience will have at least
some knowledge of horses.
Some may be complete beginners. Some may be curious as to what showing is all about, and are interested in learning about what is required. Some may have a little experience of showing at local shows. Some may have a bit more experience gained over a few years at local and agricultural shows. Some may be just starting out or thinking about showing at county level. Some may have years, or even decades of showing experience, and because we
never stop learning, may watch to see if they could pick up any new useful tips to improve their own performance.
In my honest opinion, I would think that the voice overs would be best aimed at viewers who may be just starting out in showing classes. More experienced horsemen/women will understand a more basic description of what is required much more easily than novices would if the commentary used more "advanced" terms.
To become a show judge one must first...??
Don't take this as gospel, I am after all a novice with regards to showing.
Have a lot of knowledge and experience of horses in general.
Have a lot of knowledge and experience of showing their preferred breeds or types.
Have a lot of success in the showring, at the highest level, preferably with more than one of the different breeds or types of horses and/or ponies. (e.g. any breed/ type of the following - Mountain and Moorland breeds, Riding Ponies, Show Hunter Ponies, Arabs, Show Hacks, Riding Horses, Hunters, Working Hunters, Working Hunter Ponies and any others that I have missed).
The commentary could explain what any of these particular breeds/types are, for example.....
A Mountain and Moorland pony is any one of Britain's 9 breeds of native pony, with the Welsh ponies and cobs split into 4 "sections". They are split into 2 groups for showing purposes, depending on the maximum height of the breed as per the breed standard of each individual breed. Small Breed M&M Ponies are Shetland, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Welsh Mountain pony (Section A) and Welsh Pony (Section B). Large Breed M&M's are Fell, Dales, Highland, New Forest, Connemara, Welsh Pony of Cob Type (Section C) and Welsh Cob (Section D).
Some, (but not all), Judges have bred many of their preferred breeds/types for a number of years.
Spend time working alongside a fully qualified Judge as a Steward.
Participate in Judges training, then become a Probationary Judge with a showing society, to gain relevant experience in the ring while working under a fully qualified Judge. e.g. NPS (National Pony Society), BSPS (British Show Pony Society), CHAPS (Coloured Horse and Pony Society), AHS (Arab Horse Society), SH(B)GB (Sports Horse Breeding of Great Britain) and so on.
Become fully qualified as a Judge themselves.
The judge rides your horse and the winning horse will most likely be the one that ...
Has the closest conformation to the Breed standard or Type (Type applies to Hunters, (including Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight, Small, Ladies, Working Hunters and Working Hunter Ponies), Riding Horses, Hacks, Show Hunter Ponies, Riding Ponies, Show Cobs, Coloured Horses and Ponies, etc).
Has the most correct action and movement as per the Breed standard or Type.
Is sound in wind and limb.
Is well mannered both while being ridden around in company, on his/her individual show or when the Judge rides the horse.
Is turned out correctly, e.g. M&M breeds are shown naturally with very little or no trimming as per breed standard. Manes and tails unplaited and looking as natural as possible, legs untrimmed, plain and workmanlike tack (plain Hunter bridle with a flat cavesson noseband). Rider wearing Tweed jacket, long boots on Large Breeds or short boots on Small Breeds, beige/cream jodhs/breeches, etc.
Your horse has to �stand up� for the judge. All 4 legs should be visible from each side and the judge is checking for a build of horse that would carry him or hunting for half a day with no blemishes caused by bad conformation ...
Depending on Breed or Type, the Judge is looking for conformation as close as possible to the required breed standard or type. Suitability of the horse/pony according to breed standard or type. Some Judges don't mind a very small blemish on
some breeds/types (e.g. a Working Hunter/Working Hunter Pony with a small splint), providing it is the not the result of poor conformation.
In the �trot up� the judge is looking for ...
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The horse/pony to be walked away from him/her in a straight line, walking out purposefully and straight. Straight means that each hind leg should follow in exactly the same track as the front leg, with no deviation from a straight line (legs don't swing either outwards or inwards with each stride), the legs are neither too close together nor too widely spaced apart. Hocks, elbows, fetlocks and hooves should not turn inwards or outwards.
The handler then leads his/her horse off the straight course to the left, and turn the horse away from him/herself to the right, forming a loop which brings the horse back around to facing the Judge. Stay in walk for 2 or 3 strides upon exiting the loop, then as soon as the horse resumes a straight line back towards the Judge, ask the horse to trot. Again, the trot should be going purposefully forwards. The Judge again, is looking for straightness (as above), no dishing (front hooves flicking outwards) or plaiting (front hooves almost crossing over in front just before each one lands on the ground), legs not too close together or brushing, legs not too far apart which can cause a paddling type action. Trot AT the Judge as if you want to run him/her over ! He or she should step aside to allow the horse to pass. Continue trotting past the Judge (who has hopefully moved and isn't now squashed into the ground ;D) in a straight line, and keep going right round to behind the line up. Come back to walk and return to your position in the line up.
I think that's it ! ;D
Remember, this is
my knowledge as a showing novice. Please feel free to (nicely) correct any mistakes I might have made, but please don't put me off showing because I am planning on stepping up to showing at County level.