unproffesional judging at riding club show

[purplepetal]

I don't normally do this, but I need to let off a little steam!!
Today I took my section A to her first ridden show and also my old and worldly cob ridden by a 12 year old at her first ridden show. Picked a local riding club show as thought no pressure, fun (ha ha) day out for all. I know you are not going to get the top judges at these shows, but I would expect a judge of a mountain and moorland class to know their breeds and not mistake my 'A' for an exmoor or maybe a dartmoor because she has a pale nose!! (just for the record she looks nothing like either!!)
The cob was entered as a family horse/pony, (he is the kind of horse ridden by everyone, me, my OH, friends, friends children etc) His show was ok, stood still while she got off walked round him, clambered back on, and then lay on his back! Judge said before class she was looking for good manners! cobby was 4th, apparantly he's too big to be a family horse ( he stands just 15hh) pony in 2nd showed exceptional manners when it bucked as small child slid off its bottom!!!!!!!!
Same judge as for m&m's.
Sorry this is a bit long winded, just had to get it off my chest!

[seahorse]

here here think we may have been at same show today,lol expect I also rode like a idiot

[fayeandash]

I know how you feel purplepetal, i took my daughter to a show near us we did m&m lead rein (we have a section A) then later on it was a class for young children, my daughter was only 4 at the time, in this particular class she had to answer questions on her pony, so the judge asked what breed her pony was, my daughter answered welsh, to which the judge replied "you nearly have it right i'll give you another chance" so my daughter looked at me puzzled, i had to tell the judge she was correct, and the judge said she thought he was a dartmoor!! and this was the same judge that had put her first in the m&m lead rein!
It's so annoying, especially when a lot of clubs by us charge quite a bit for the entry fee's

[girly]

It happens at big affiliated championship shows as well. I have had a breeder of welsh B's in a HOYS WHP tell my jockey that my champion in hand Dartmoor was a wessh B. The jockey corrected him and they still got one of the highest conformation marks.

[merlod]

I totally sympathise! Our OPEN 122 SHP was frequently "beaten" by "a little darling from down the road" in local shows and yet always placed at PUK! Similarly our 128 SP was at the bottom of the line in a local show, but 2nd in one of the major classes at PUK!

[wexford]

it's annoying at the time because it seems like a waste of time and money, but i promise you, you WILL look back and laugh!!
i went to one riding club show where the judge was dressed in jeans and a sweater - neither of which a tramp would have been seen dead in! - and proceeded to tell me i was down the bottom of the line beause my pony did not move very well for a welshie - i shouldn't think so, it was a new forest!!!
one judge told me she ouldn't possibly place my youngster - sec c in the large m&m class, as it wasn't fully grown......
another judge in a ridden class, told me she thought i was dangerously out of control, and my pony needed more schooling after my individual show - i was showing a gallop, something no one else did!!.......
i look back now and chuckle!

[gladys]

Wexford, you are right you do look back and laugh, its the silly comments that used to get me, things like if your pony was plaited you would have won, in an mm class!! and yes we have had the comment you pony was moving on to much, again in an open class.
A little girl (11) who has been coming here to help with the pony's, for the last year, and bear in mind we do a lot of in-hand so she as been shown how to stand up etc, went to a local show on her own Sunday with her family , entered in the young handler and was 3rd, we all said well done, she said, the 2 ponies above her, 1 never trotted back, and both turned the ponies the wrong way, judge came down line up and said to them both good try but next time don't forget to turn the ponies away from you, Hannah in 3rd place was told that was loverly well done! she stood apparently with open mouth we had to laugh, well thats showing for you.

[bowditchblobs]

Ahhhhhh local showing i was at a riding club show a few years ago, i was top of the line up when a rather harrassed steward muttered in my ear that the judge was completley mental and about how much she realy wanted to go home!!!! I never felt so much like running! At another local show last year some people who were obviously "in" with the judge (he was sat drinking tea with them) won every single class and the championships, even though their lead rein pony was in a huge yellow numnah and like a tooth pick- oh and the kid was on and off the lead rein like a yo yo!!! The list could go on realy, you pay enough money at local level you should be judged faily by some one who knows one end of a horse from another!!!

[dun4u]

Oh, how I sympathise. Although I am not on any particular panels, I do try to judge as close to affiliated lines as possible, which includes DEFINITELY NO NUMNAHS, etc. If I am not judging on any particular weekend I still like to go along to the local shows to meet everyone, exchange the usual gossip and inevitably listen to the moans about the Judging on that day!

It is so frustrating, even when I have no connections in the ring, to watch, as those who have really bothered with their turnout get ignored and those in their wellies, attached LR ropes on the bit and dirty ponies get placed at the top of the line.

A few years ago I was a spectator at one local show when the judge had all the ponies trotting around together in a LR class ~ those poor Mums were exhausted and none had the nerve to complain! In the next class, First Ridden, I just had this feeling that it might not go according to the usual rules. Yes, she had them all cantering together ~ ponies went in all directions, children were screaming and Mothers were running in to catch their little darlings. As a mere spectator I made a complaint to the organiser who dismissed my claims that the Judge was incompetent and told me to mind my own business.

Local showing needn't be like this ~ quite a few affiliated Judges will happily judge at local level, providing they are helped by a good steward (hard to come by these days, I know), given a decent lunch and offered travelling expenses.

I do love my judging and get a lot of enjoyment at the end of the day when I see lots of happy people and ponies clutching their well-earned rosettes - to many, even a pink one can mean a dream come true. In fact, just lately, I've noticed, when handing out the rosettes to tiny tots in LR classes that those at the top are green with envy because they would much rather have a pretty pink one than their lovely red or blue rosette, and poor Mum or Dad are quite embarassed!!!

As to manners ~ well, I am a stickler for ring etiquette and must admit that I won't stand for any sort of rudeness. At local level many competitors don't understand ringcraft or etiquette and my steward will sometimes have a quiet word with any naive offenders. Those who snatch the rosette without a thankyou get a firm reminder from me and usually remember next time in. On the other hand, Judges have absolutely no excuse for bad manners. They all know what is expected, like a nod when a competitor stands their pony up to salute the Judge at the end of their show, and not to ignore them and turn to the next entry. That would really grate on me if I was competing.

Local Showing is great- you do have to take the rough with the smooth sometimes but if things don't always work out as expected just put it down to experience and move on.

PS I would DEFINITELY find out the name of the offending Judge to a) make a formal complaint if I thought it absolutely necessary, and b) avoid him/her at all costs in the future!!!

[dun4u]

By the way, talking of stewards, please come and say hello to me in the Bronze ring at Newbury this coming Sat. 3rd. I shall probably be harassed as usual but would love to meet some of you. I shall bring a few 'blank' horsegossip stickers if anyone wants one.

[bowditchblobs]

Well put dun4u, i do enjoy local showing i get to see lots of friends and get to know lots of new ones, it is usualy a very fun day out, i shall admit alot of competitors manners leave alot to be desired !! At the end of the showing is only about some one elses opinion of your horse, all we all ask is to be judged fairly on the day! Mind you we all go back for more dont we!!!

[seahorse]

I love my local riding club show its always been good its a bit of light hearted relif and above all the fun it should be.
The show Purplepetal talked about was unbelivable, as you may have guesssed purpalpetal is a good friend I ride her small ponies, as she to bit (am going to get killed for that one) am not being bitter as rode like a moron,
about an hour before the class when poor pony was bored went to find out was what happenin Judged was very tied up talking to a girl on a rather nice highland for a while. Bet you can guess who won. The sad thing is it, it is a very nice pony and am sure deserved to win but of course after what I saw what can I think am human

[wexford]

dun4u... have a karma! if you wen't so far away i would love you to come and judge for us!! as a riding club we try hard to pick decent judges and have been very lucky so far as to have some really good ones, who are encouraging, and give some good advice to competitors, as a result our shows have grown in popularity, from just 3 or 4 in a class, before the change of comittee, to anything upto 15 now!! we provide a good buffet lunch, expenses and a bottle of wine for our judges!!
as a competitor i always make an effort to say thankyou to the judge for their time, wether i am 1st or last, call me old fashioned but i believe in good manners!! if they don't like my pony- so what?? i may not like theirs!!!

[seahorse]

Apr 29, 2008 21:05:39 GMT @wexford said:

dun4u... have a karma! if you wen't so far away i would love you to come and judge for us!! as a riding club we try hard to pick decent judges and have been very lucky so far as to have some really good ones, who are encouraging, and give some good advice to competitors, as a result our shows have grown in popularity, from just 3 or 4 in a class, before the change of comittee, to anything upto 15 now!! we provide a good buffet lunch, expenses and a bottle of wine for our judges!!
as a competitor i always make an effort to say thankyou to the judge for their time, wether i am 1st or last, call me old fashioned but i believe in good manners!! if they don't like my pony- so what?? i may not like theirs!!!

What area are you in these shows sound great, I have to defend my own riding club they are great.
Would like to point out that am not having a go at anyshow just strange judges

[purplepetal]

Am gradually beginning to see the more humerous side of sunday ( helps when you look at the photos sorry seahorse, but you know exactly what I mean!!!! ) although I am struggling I must admit! I will definatly be finding out the offending judges name, so I can avoid in future, only problem is most local shows don't list their judges in schedules, you only find out on the day, another point I'd like to make is that the entry fee for the classes on sunday was £9 pre entry, £11 late fee , equalling entry fees at some affiliated shows, think I know where I'll be spending my money in future!! At the end of the day we do this for fun, whether first or last, it really doesn't matter as long as everyone involved has enjoyed the day

[dun4u]

Thanks, wexford. I'm glad you manage to get good judges ~ it makes for improvement all round IMO!! I am willing to travel 30 miles to judge but have been known to travel as far as Myersclough to steward the CHAPS finals, but must admit that I travelled up with one of the Judges!!! In which case I didn't get 'expenses'!

[flashthecash]

LOL.. I went to out local RC last week.. the judge was a panel judge.. in one class judge made a boob, judged as a whole class when it plainly said would be "split" then was heard by a spectator, to say they never wanted to judge a class like that again

I was quite happy with my placings as I managed to get all my qualifiers in one hit

then said judge said that the quality forward was poor well to my knowledge there were 4 HOYS horses in my class How good did they want them?
and said that another very well known judge would never judge for the RC as the standard was poor... only to be told that "That" judge would be judging at the RC annual show and has judged on many ocassions for them!
well that judge won't be asked back in a hurry

[ponymum]

Flashthecash - do tell which pony club it was, we may be able to guess the judge!!!

[tinkerbell112]

i could't go 2 a show, was enterd in A' n
































i was entered in a show in the sm breeds, and could'nt go a friend not used 2 showing took the entry thinking her pony a sm breed a sec B n won the class!

[flashthecash]

Jun 15, 2008 15:17:00 GMT ponymum said:

Flashthecash - do tell which pony club it was, we may be able to guess the judge!!!

Ooo couldn't do that! but will say that they were from another county

[jomarge60]

happened to us at the suffolk show ground last sunday a friends daughter riding a delightful new forest 14hh ok makes a very nice shp as well but the judge had it last out of a load of wrong legging and humping m/m's questioned by the jockey her commits were your bridle was wrong??? work that one out lol

[Judge D]

to all you whingers out there who have tunnel vision about us poor judges, "walk a mile in my shoes, then criticise me" I have just spent 16 hours judging at UK showing getting up at 5:30am returning home well after midnight, I spent all day stood on my feet, never had so much of a drink till 12:30 lunch time, just so I didn't upset any competitors by running late, tried so hard not to get annoyed when I waited long periods of time for competitors not to turn up, put up with filthy toilets, had to judge stallions in a ring next to a field full of grazing horses (use your imagination) by the end of the evening my feet were burning with pain and all this for £4:68 an hour......what was that I hear you say...."but the minimum wage is over £5 an hour, then I come on this site and see a load of poor loosers whinging about judges who put themselves out to offer their services and expert knowledge to strangers. I could have stayed at home and earned a lot more money giving riding lessons all day. Our job isn't easy, it never is trying to please everyone but I try my best to be impartial as much as I can, no matter who I know in the ring and if it had been raining as it normally is, I would have stood out there all day without an umberella (because our little Fiona's pony doesn't like them) and this is the thanks I get. Why is it always negative critisism we get, why can't one day someone come to us and say thankyou for taking the time to have a day off and judge us.
PS, I was actually complimented on my judging by one kind lady and I can't tell you what a high I was on for the rest of the day cause in my 30 odd yrs of judging, that was only the third time it has happened, but that's the society we live in now, no-one says thanks, people only remember what you don't do for them, never what you do, do for them.
pps. most of you out there may be interested in a free site that teaches you how to write and spell correctly, get in touch if you want the address.

[huni85]

Judge D, i was at ukshowing. what was you judging?? i said thank you to my judge as he gave me some advice with both my horses! which i dont normally get. i think if your comments arent what you think at the show it gives you something to work towards for the next show!!

[ccsammy]

Judge D - I have never heard of getting paid to judge before?? That would be pretty cool!!!

I didnt think anyone was making the comments as a blanket statement about all judges; just attempting to point out some examples of what they believe to be "irresponsible" judging!

As a competitor and judge I can understand their arguments, I am 100% sure that you judged with decorum and professionalism at the show you officiated at

Having been on the recieving end on poor manners this year, either not watching my whole show or just being down right rude! Both competitors and judges should endevour to be well mannered throughout a show class whether at unaffliated or HOYS level. We all do this for our love of showing and horse?

[Giddie]

Judge D l always thank the judge no matter what the situation or placing, l am amazed not many people do this. I think most of us that show are grateful for what you do for us, but come on you also do it for yourself..because you obviously enjoy it !!No fool would do it otherwise.

I generally think and have always said that most judges are fair and have been shoot down in flames for saying it, thinking that l am naive, what most don't know horses have been my life all my life nearly 50yrs of it..In those earlier days showing was fun and it was competitive but l rarely recall bad sportsmanship.. Any of the judges that come on here and know me will tell you l am always thankful.

So sorry if we haven't meet, albeit l might have been one of those three that you did meet and said thank you, but if not l will say a really big thank you now !!

Seriously keep up the good work, it is like most things there are just a few that spoil it for everyone and in horse and pony judging world they have there few..those that blantantly cheat..but we are now beginning to suss who they are and just don't/won't show under them again.

[halfpass]

A few weeks ago I was judging at a village show and a Young girl of about six or seven came up and gave me a letter thanking me for judging her pony and for her rosette, I was nearly reduced to tears, I have never had anything done like this before and despite the fact I got soaked through to the skin twice, it made the whole day worth it, if this young girl is the next generation of showing all I can say is thank god.

[commission]

Jun 15, 2008 21:13:31 GMT tinkerbell112 said:

i could't go 2 a show, was enterd in A' n


i was entered in a show in the sm breeds, and could'nt go a friend not used 2 showing took the entry thinking her pony a sm breed a sec B n won the class!

Don;t understand that post at all

[bowditchblobs]

Oh my god i always thank the judge and the stewards, thought most people did even if im last i still say thank you. Mind you how many riders dont bother to thank car drivers that slow down for them MY MAJOR PET HATE we live in an increasingly rude society

[commission]

I am always very courtious to the judges that judge me at RC level (as that is the only level I compete at), I always say good morning/afternoon, always say thank you as I finish my show and always thank the judge for comments good or bad and for my rosette, but I also have to add you do come accross a lot of very rude judges at RC shows, judges that can;t be bothered to watch your individual show as the steward is far more interesting to talk to, or judges that don't watch you trot all the way round the ring in the inhand classes, and judges when you politely ask for feedback on your placings say things like 'well its my decision and thats final'

On the whole I must say though that most judges I have come under have been very polite, I too was at UK showing yesterday and definately thanked the judges that judged me

[Giddie]

Commission, I have to agree with you that it has to work both ways and nine times out of ten , from my point of view it does.

I was told by the judge just last weekend at our local show, when l asked for appraisal of my pony that she didn't have to give her reasons, so me being me had to push that one step further and ask should l come back to see her, she told me that it was her decision as she was the judge of the day. I exlained that i wasn't questioning her placement of me but wanted to gain some ideas as for why she placed us third, she eventually told me:-

1) The pony lacked bone..(Totally wrong on that count)
2) She was just "too flashy"
3) Would be a nightmare for a child to sit to in future years, stating that l shouldn't make my pony extend like that as they were suppose to go calmly.

Please bear in mind this was a Welsh in hand breeds class.

It also has to be said that a pony that had medaled just four weeks before hand finished 9th of 9

Later that morning l also heard this judge tell the winner of the M&M class that she had to put up her Exmoor pony as "We don't want all Welsh going through do we ?"

That is the gosple truth and l just couldn't believe it..

One thing l did learn that l wouldn't show under that lady again !!