|
It's always fun when great questions pop up in our email or on our social media channels. This week, MJ Kaplan asked: "Equitation judges! Talk to me about toe angle. 45 degrees? More or less based on the rider’s conformation? Toe forward? Aligned with knee?"
Julie stepped up and answered on Facebook: "Toe should be aligned with knee, heels flexed down and in with stirrup on ball of foot with outside branch slightly ahead of inside branch, so when toes are slightly out at natural angle (45 degrees are less) iron is perpendicular to girth."
The thread turned into an informative post with a lot more conversation. It's great to see people asking questions and feeding off one another to further clarify and explain.
That's our hope; that the book, newsletter and social media generate questions and conversations to take the mystery out of judging and help all of us get on the same page. If you haven't joined our Facebook Group yet, that too is a great place to discuss situations or ask questions. Please continue to reach out, tag us and message us if you have any questions or ideas. We all learn when we listen and contribute!
As always,
Tricia
P.S. Don't forget that our digital book went on sale this week on Apple Books. Click below to purchase it!
|
|
Julie Winkel: Seeing a Judge's Card
One subscriber asked a frequently asked question: "Are we able to ask to see the judge's card after a class finishes?"
Judging WTF Co-Author Julie Winkel: You can’t actually see the judge’s card at a rated show, but you can ask the judge about your own round. To approach the judge, you must seek permission from the steward who then asks the judge if he or she will speak with you.
Remember, judges are being paid to judge the classes and to put the riders/ horses in an order and not to give a clinic. If you’re asking for your own personal information and to improve your performance, you can let the steward know that's why you would like to speak with the judge. A lot of judges look down upon talking to exhibitors when they’re still working and focusing on placing the horses in a class. Most judges will talk to you at the end of the day, however.
|
|
This week's Judging WTF Question of the Week brought up an interesting conversation.
No, actually in the USEF Rulebook HU105.1 states, "Snaffles, pelhams and full bridles, all with cavesson nose bands, are required."
We don't often see full bridles in the hunters today, but they are traditional and legal. We ended up clarifying the term full bridle and posting a detailed explanation on our Instagram. As it happens, the USEF Rulebook uses the terms full bridle and double bridle in different sections to describe the same bit.
"A full bridle, also known as the double or weymouth bridle, consists of a snaffle and a curb bit used simultaneously in the horse's mouth, with a set of reins to each. The curb bit and snaffle should be arranged in the mouth so that the horse is comfortable and the snaffle lies above the curb, allowing both bits to work individually."
Special thanks to all of those who submitted questions in our Judging WTF Private Facebook Group! We will get those answered in our upcoming newsletters and on social media.
|
|
Do you have any judging questions? Hit the button and let us know!
|
|
Julie & Tricia Out and About
|
|
Julie's next outing will be a clinic April 9-10 at Merry Mount Farm in Vermont. You can find Tricia giving a judge's clinic for the Arkansas Hunter Jumper Association in Little Rock on April 3. Judging clinics are a wonderful way for state organizations like the AHJA to help educate their members.
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.
|
|
|
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).
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
