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It was 25 years ago that I photographed the inaugural WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular when junior rider Liza Towell (Boyd) won aboard her Monday Morning. And, once again, I stood ringside last Saturday night with my camera in Wellington, Florida, on a lovely February evening.
Liza, now an established professional, piloted two horses in this year's class that were very different from her off-the-track Thoroughbred of 1997. How times have changed. Back then, the Thoroughbred ruled the hunter rings, although the warmbloods were making inroads. Today, you'll rarely find a Thoroughbred at the highest levels in the hunters or jumpers.
What judges evaluate now is quite different, too. The lovely gallop of the Thoroughbred has been replaced by the typically slower canter of the warmblood. But many of us who grew up riding and showing Thoroughbreds still love to see that type of horse appear in the ring, especially when the bolder pace and low, ground-covering stride are accompanied by a beautiful, scopey jump.
In my opinion, this year's USHJA/WCHR Hunter Spectacular collectively featured the highest-quality horses I've yet seen in this class. On any given day, a dozen or more could have jumped to the top. In the end, it was Mon Tresor and Geoffrey Hesslink (below) who claimed the title. And, fittingly, the Holsteiner is a plain bay with a beautiful jump and gallop, a flashback to the old-fashioned Thoroughbreds who came before him. I'm grateful to have been there to watch!
As always,
Tricia
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Bobbie Reber: On Pace
Rachel Smith, an amateur rider and newsletter subscriber, asked: "How important is pace? What does the judge do if it fluctuates? Slow, fast down the line and then slow again?"
Judging WTF Panelist Bobbie Reber: I love it when a hunter can step into the ring, pick up a nice gallop and keep the pace the same around the entire course. The reality is that much depends on what class and division the horse is in.
The course designer will make the distances different for different classes, such as the lines in the 3-foot divisions (Green, Children’s, Adult Amateurs) will be shorter than the 3’6” open divisions. The pro divisions, such as the 3’6”, 3’9” and 4’, allow a horse to gallop, which judges love to see.
On many of the courses, especially in the Handy classes, there are parts of the course that allow a rider to pick up the pace and show some brilliance. That slight change of pace is totally acceptable. Most important, even when changing the pace, it must always look smooth and even.
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The Judging WTF Question of the Week was too easy!
Yes, it's scored as a refusal, so in the 40 range.
Leigh Veilleux had a great observation, though: "What do you mean?? If you do two diagonal lines, then you will always cross your path pretty much."
That is true, indeed, crossing your path! We were referring to a circle or a rider getting lost and crossing their path, however.
Have a better question? Please send it to us! (info@judgingwtf.com)
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Julie & Tricia Out and About
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You can find Julie at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, for the next three weeks. Tricia will be in South Carolina and next attending the March Madness show at Highfields Event Center in Aiken.
To learn more about Tricia's and Julie's upcoming clinics and book signings, please view their calendar on judgingwtf.com and Julie's clinic schedule on maplewoodstables.com.
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Judging Hunters and Equitation WTF? - The Course
CLINICIANS JULIE WINKEL AND TRICIA BOOKER
RENO, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2022
After reading the book, are you ready to put your knowledge to the test and learn even more?
Judging Hunters & Equitation WTF? - The Course is an exciting new clinic based on the recently released book of the same name by Julie Winkel and Tricia Booker. This clinic takes the mystery out of judging Hunters and Equitation and allows you to understand step-by-step the processes involved through an educational yet entertaining platform. You’ll never look at judging the same again while becoming a savvier competitor in the show ring.
This clinic, which benefits the Goodtoknow Horses 501(c)3, is open to auditors, riders, trainers, parents, judges and anyone interested in learning more about judging and the processes involved, from ethics and integrity to bookkeeping, rules and licensing.
For more information and to register, please visit: Goodtoknowhorses.org.
To book your own Judging WTF Clinic with Julie and/or Tricia, please contact us for available dates for 2022 and customized options for your specific needs (info@judgingwtf.com).
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This newsletter is based on the book Judging Hunters and Equitation WTF? (Want The Facts?) by Julie Winkel and Tricia Booker.
We're thrilled to have you join us as we spend time together talking about judging, the history of the sport, scoring, tips to improve your show ring performances, judges' pet peeves, and show ring strategies, and best of all answering your questions! Something on your mind? Email us: info@judgingwtf.com
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