I traveled to Little Rock last weekend to give a judging clinic for the Arkansas Hunter Jumper Association and discovered the Thoroughbred is still alive and well on the track and in the show ring!
As a Thoroughbred aficionado, I was thrilled to find out how many clinic attendees showed and competed them in the hunters as well as eventing, some even crossing over from one discipline to the other with the same horse. With more than 60 people in attendance (and the most amazing "Grazing Table" I've ever seen), the clinic included lots of great questions and discussion points. It was so wonderful to have pony riders, juniors, other judges and even multiple "show dads" asking questions and sharing their viewpoints on showing and judging.
I'm grateful to the AHJA for inviting me to give the clinic! It was such a wonderful way to meet new people, share our book and help people learn more about judges and the judging process.
As an added bonus, I enjoyed an afternoon of racing at Oaklawn Park, where I watched those great Thoroughbreds doing what they love. On the backside, I even met one who had "show horse" written all over him. Who knows? Maybe he'll decide going slow is more his speed, and we'll see him in the hunter ring one day!
As always,
Tricia
P.S. If you're interested in hosting a judging clinic for your barn or association, please contact us for available dates!
Rachael Van Den Berg asked on our Facebook Page: Can you explain why the bight of the rein is held on the off side? To be honest, I was never told which side as a junior rider and ride with the bight on the left side. I want to make sure I’m teaching this correctly.
Judging WTF Co-Author Julie Winkel: Because most people are right handed, when you properly gather the reins, you would take the buckle in your right hand, slide the reins through your left hand to shorten them evenly, then lay the bight (extra) to the right. However, since some people are left handed it is optional which side the bight lays on, but traditionally it goes on the right (off side).
USEF Rule EQ105.2 defines this: Bight of reins may fall on either side.
Kevan Husky added: Correct me if I am wrong, Julie, but I thought the history behind "Bight on the Right" derived from the cavalry days when the soldiers had their sword on the left side (to prevent hitting the horse with it when mounting). I was taught similar for the bight it was always to be on the right side to prevent tangling with the sword.
After this great discussion online, we did some research and discovered that, indeed, the bight of the reins is traditionally on the right due to military protocol. Throughout history, riders have mounted from the left (near side) because their swords and weapons were on the left and were drawn into the right hand when mounted (most people are right-handed). And, when you consider the tradition of braiding the mane on the right, you'll notice that keeping the left side of the horse "clean" and free of anything that could become tangled in the sword, the bight on the right would be logical. However, as Julie mentions above and in the USEF Rulebook, if you're more comfortable with the bight on the left and don't carry a sword, it's perfectly fine to have the bight on the left.
Social Media Recap
This week's Did You Know? was a fun reminder of how and why the 12' stride length we use on today's hunter courses was determined.
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. Keep up the great conversations!
Do you have any judging questions? Hit the button and let us know!
Julie's next outing will be a clinic April 9-10 for the Vermont Hunter Jumper Association at Arbrook Farm in North Ferrisburgh, Vermont. You can find Tricia showing at the Aiken Highfields Masters, April 20-23 in South Carolina.
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.
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
