Late arrival to showing class

[binky]

Yesterday I attended a smallish show and rode my youngster in the Novice Class. We had completed the "going round" section in walk and trot and all but 2 of the 10 in the class had completed their individual show. At this stage a competitor was allowed into the class. They performed their individual show and nothing else and were placed first. I fully accept that it was a lovely pony and their show was very polished. If it had completed the whole class I would have put it first as well. However, given that it only completed part of the tasks for the class and so had less chance to do something negative, should this pony have been placed first? PS My horse was very spooky and hollow and I completely agree with our placing at the bottom of the line. Not sour grapes, just wondering what the rules are for this? 

[lucynlizzysmum]

Dependent on Society rules - we have a ruling at a show that I help run that whether or not the class is affiliated no-one is allowed in once judging has commenced. ie once the exhibitors have moved forward into trot.

[fredaf]

Once the class has gone into trot then no further entries should be accepted. But it seems to be happening more and more that people try to cram in as many classes as they can - it really isn't fair for those who abide by the rules, especially as it does mean that sometimes a horse/pony who may not otherwise behave in the go round is allowed in. Some producers will milk this especially at the beginning of the season!! At the end of the day though it depends on the show rules and the judges interpretation of them.

[binky]

Thanks for your replies. I thought that might be the case. Definitely unfair on those who bothered to get there in plenty of time. The first three in the line up put in really good performances in every element of the class. They must have been pretty cheesed off.

[brindlerainbow]

I was at a small show and the judge held up the whole class ( open in hand M & M ) for about half an hour while we waited for someone who was competing in the LR class. She then took her time untacking and brushing the sweat marks off the pony outside the ring. The judge stood in the middle of the ring texting so I asked the steward to tell him that instead of wasting time texting he could be looking at the rest of us. Result, myself and another lady who complained were last and the late pony was first!!!! Small shows seem to have their own set of rules at times. Competitors should study the schedule and see what will clash and then decide which class to enter and which one to miss. Fredaf is right some people do try and cram as many classes in as possible, often without any thought regarding the welfare of the pony just as long as they can go home with a handful of rosettes and a few cups!!!

[binky]

Thanks for your reply. Maybe shows should take a harder line with this so that people don't push their luck. But then again I suppose they need the entry money.

[Philippa]

Feb 20, 2017 14:38:33 GMT brindlerainbow said:

I was at a small show and the judge held up the whole class ( open in hand M & M ) for about half an hour while we waited for someone who was competing in the LR class. She then took her time untacking and brushing the sweat marks off the pony outside the ring. The judge stood in the middle of the ring texting so I asked the steward to tell him that instead of wasting time texting he could be looking at the rest of us.

I'm with you on this, if ever I'm judging you can be guaranteed someone's class clashes. I try never to hold the class up completely and like to get on judging the other exhibits. It's not hoys & I can remember what's in front of me.

Nothing worse than waiting round for ages.

[the showing register]

What I do is line them up and do the shows then have the go round at the end when all are present.

[lucynlizzysmum]

Feb 20, 2017 20:15:39 GMT the showing register said:

What I do is line them up and do the shows then have the go round at the end when all are present.

At the risk of getting shot down here TSR - we all have to decide which class we wish to do - we have all had classes that we have had to miss because of a clash. I have no problem with a class having an extra walk round to wait for a few minutes, but personally I think that the initial go round is very important. It gives horses/ponies/competitors a chance to settle - as a steward, it gives me chance to ensure that I have everyone in that should be, and it also gives competitors a chance to concentrate on their class. Horses/ponies coming in late can disrupt the others. Should I turn up to do my prelim 7 dressage test halfway through Novice 20 - I would be "politely" told no. What is the difference, or have I missed the point?

[gillwales]

I agree with lucynlizzysmum, a good steward should make the judge aware of if the class is complete. The only reason for delaying is to allow for a championship to finish, that would be beyond the control of the competitor. This got to be a very bad habit many years ago, and those wit ha very fizzy pony would often join in last minute to avoid being in the group go round to avoid the pony blowing up, since then most societies have introduced rules. Unforunally if an unaffiliated show this might not happen. Personally I would have a quiet but polite chat with the Secretary letting them know how upsetting and unfair you felt this to be and either ask them to lay down guidelines for ther Judges in the future. If enough people do the same thing they will soon get the message.

[the showing register]

Good point Phillipa I was referring to small unaffiliated shows and it does depend on the schedule some of them are not very user friendly ! Cant happen at all at Q shows.

[binky]

The class in question with the late arrival at the start of the thread was in fact the first one of the day! so no clash with another class just late.

[sarahp]

No excuse for that then! There could have been an act of god like a vehicle breakdown, in which case tough, you've missed the class. It isn't always the case though that show timetables are compatible with everyone being able to do every class they may want to, it must be a nightmare to arrange to try to suit as many as possible, particularly when a number of different rings are involved and numbers entered and turning up in a class are unknown. I stopped going to a series of shows local to us (and no longer happening) when I arrived at 1pm for the fourteenth class of the day in that particular ring, which I reckoned would be in around tea time, to find them ready to go into the ring as I arrived. Some "not before" class times can be a huge help to competitors.