Last week's "Did You Know?" was based on an experience my friend Lee had at our last show together. She was having a beautiful trip in the Adult Amateur Hunters with Amoroso when a gust of wind blew down the final oxer when they were two strides away.
Thankfully, they are both experienced competitors and quickly sidestepped, escaping what could have been a more serious issue. After she pulled up, the judge called her over, and they discussed the situation. In the end, they decided that Lee could start the course over with a clean slate. Lee believed that giving her horse seven more fences to gain his confidence before they tackled that oxer again (now heavily fortified) was the best choice. (The other option the judge could have suggested was for her to redo just the last line.)
USEF Rule HU118.6 is the one that we follow for these situations: "In the case of the jump falling over due to weather or act of God, the rider must remain in the ring until receiving instructions from the judge." In the case of a bigger wind event and/or when multiple fences blow down, the judge can have the competitor leave the ring and return when the jumps are fixed, giving the horse time to settle.
Lee and Amoroso successfully redid the course and went on later that day to finish with a top-10 performance in the $1,500 Hunter Derby, jumping that oxer yet again. You just never know what can happen in our sport, so knowing rules such as this one will help you when the unexpected happens.
Melodie Williams, a newsletter subscriber, asked: After trying many different bits, I've figured out my horse goes best in a loose ring snaffle. I've been taught to always use bit guards to prevent pinching, but would they be considered unconventional if I left them on in the show ring?
Judging WTF Co-Author Julie Winkel: While a loose ring snaffle is a legal and traditional bit to use in the hunters, you should take the bit guards off to show. Bit guards aren't illegal (there's no rule stipulating that), but a judge could consider them unconventional. And some might even think they're tacky! Just be sure that the loose ring bit you use is the proper size, so that taking the bit guards off to show doesn't result in the bit pinching the corners of your horse's mouth.
Social Media Recap
This week we shared the Interscholastic Equestrian Association post announcing the upcoming National Finals as well as a shout-out to Ink Horse Publishing as a featured sponsor. Julie and I are looking forward to serving as the Hunt Seat judges for the championships, where Michelle Bloch of Ink Horse Publishing will have copies of our signed book for sale on vendor row.
We devoted a chapter on judging and showing in IEA and Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association competitions, where the riders are judged on their equitation while catch-riding unfamiliar horses. The judging and showing criteria are slightly different, and we explain the how and why for exhibitors, trainers and parents to better understand the nuances.
We're honored to be a part of the 20th anniversary event, and we look forward to seeing great competition from these talented young riders!
Do you have any judging questions? Hit the button and let us know!
Julie has one more week of the Paso Robles Spring Classic Horse Shows in Paso Robles, California, from April 18-24, where she will have books for sale and be available to sign them. You can find Tricia showing at the Aiken Highfields Masters, April 20-23 in South Carolina, where she will also have books available to sign and sell.
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
