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Post by mcnaughty on Aug 6, 2015 8:45:40 GMT
Hi Guys
Can I ask you opinion on what the judge is looking for in the young handler classes? I assume they are purely looking at how the handler presents his/her animal or is the pony taken into consideration at all?
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Post by Toaster on Aug 6, 2015 11:59:59 GMT
I suppose it depends on the judge, the handler (neat turnout) and handling should be at the top of the list
I have seen classes where ponies rather than the handling have clearly wowed though
I have also seen classes where handlers are asked to lead from the 'wrong' side, pick up a hoof, walk pony on a very loose lead, touch pony's ears etc etc so be ready just in case!
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Post by Karen, garrettponies on Aug 8, 2015 23:56:15 GMT
Theoretically it should purely be on the handler, how well they show pony, stand it up, deal with blips etc are you doing one at Equifest??? Last year, said class of 34 young handlers 8 and under were very surprised to find they were required to do a figure eight show. Sooooooo ensued frantic children, some crying, some totally lost going round in circles, wiggly lines etc. mums shouting 'do our lead rein show!' Blank faces - no idea what lead rein show is..... Ponies bored eating grass, toes being stood on, kids wanting a wee.......An hour and a half later, class ended with great relief!!!! Be prepared!!!!! Yes, we're doing it all again this year but figures of eight practiced - probably forgotten or not required.... ?
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Post by janetbushell on Aug 9, 2015 5:19:44 GMT
Personally when judging YH classes I only judge the handler.
I expect them to handle the pony in the same way as a good handler does in I/H showing classes:
Correctly dressed but including a current safety standard hat with a harness & with pony correctly turned out for type. Correct go round individual trot, finishing with a good halt & acknowledgment to the judge ie not too fast for pony's natural rhythm/not too lazy. Standing pony up correctly in line (not chatting to friends etc) Saying "good morning/afternoon" or similar when standing out in front of judge & answering any questions eg age of pony Standing pony up correctly in the individual time - moving to one side when judge would be assessing pony's front limbs, moving the position of the legs for the judge when viewing each side of the animal (I prefer ponies stepped FORWARD into position, not pushed back as this shortens the front) Walking away & moving to the left of the judges line of vision before turning (by "pushing" pony away from handler not "pulling" pony round them) and trotting DIRECTLY STRAIGHT back to the judge (who will move to continue viewing animal's action from behind) & then continuing round the end of the ring before again halting with an acknowledgment to the judge. Looking as though they are enjoying themselves & their pony!
Hope this helps
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Aug 9, 2015 7:08:25 GMT
Perhaps they should rename the class "Young Show Handler"? That would make it clearer to competitors what is required - and by the sound of it some judges too! Much of the stuff mentioned by Toaster could crop up in PC tests and should be part of a child's general pony education although I'm not so sure about leading on a very loose rein - not all ponies are used to that (show LR ponies excepted!) and is it desirable on H & S grounds in a show ring environment? Likewise not all the conventions of show handling would turn up at PC.
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Post by kateanne0 on Aug 9, 2015 11:35:55 GMT
I like the idea of the class being Young Show Handler - its more appropriate and it's good practice for when the child has to do the conformation run up in the ridden classes.
However, it is nice to have the young handler class that checks the child's ability to lift a foot and use a hoof pick, providing they have assistance in holding the pony while they do the job. I don't think they should be asked to run a figure of 8 though.
A class of 34+ is ridiculous for a young handler class of under 8 year olds! H&S safety risks aplenty in that situation. Plenty of entry fee money for the show organisers - but at what risk? If there are that many entries split the class down in some way so the children and ponies have more enjoyment, less boredom and considerably more safety!
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Post by mcnaughty on Aug 17, 2015 9:31:06 GMT
Thanks guys - we came 5th in one and nowhere in the second but I thought she did a much better job in the 2nd!
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Post by Karen, garrettponies on Aug 17, 2015 22:40:46 GMT
She did great Mcnaughty! And under testing circumstances!! Zoe was relieved to still be in one piece and thank goodness we both have sensible ponies!
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Post by bigmama on Aug 17, 2015 22:59:38 GMT
Agree with janetbushell and I like to see the young handler carrying a show cane in the ring as have seen too many children struggling and trying to drag their pony into trot and gaining no more than a lazy walk!
Disagree with child having to pick a hoof up ~ this is a bit of a liability for anyone in a ring full of ponies with green grass underfoot to tempt the most genuine of ponies into grazing on three legs whilst trying to put it's fourth down, often right on top of the child's foot!
In the older age section of young handler classes where it is possible to have several handlers of a similarly good standard, I often ask that ponies be led from the offside for the walk away and trot back; this usually sorts the class out especially when the handler is asked by the judge why it is important for a pony to lead from both sides
Never, ever have I seen a figure of eight show asked for in a Y/H class
Good luck kids!
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Post by 5874julie on Aug 24, 2015 10:08:54 GMT
i think my daughter decided young handler was not for her when in a large class at a local show, she was the only child to turn her pony correctly away from her and trot straight back the judge ........... who stayed put! leading to a last minute handbrake turn from my daughter so that she didn't mow her down! hope some local judges read this thread as well as would be competitors. have to say that asking for a figure of eight in a young handler class is possibly less dangerous than asking for everybody to canter in the go round in a thelwell lookalike class we did once. that really was carnage!
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