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Joker lands in South Carolina after his cross-country trip from Nevada.
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As the saying goes, there's one constant in life: change. This summer I've faced some unexpected challenges and decisions. One of them was to relocate my horse, I'm Joking M, nicknamed Joker, from Julie's Maplewood Stables in Reno to South Carolina, where I've now been based for over a year.
Joker's journey actually began almost two years ago when he was imported to the United States after a successful jumper career in Europe. Our paths crossed last year, and we started a new adventure together in the hunters on the West Coast.
Throughout my 30+ years covering events for magazines, I’ve talked to many owners and trainers about horses who have made a successful transition from the jumper to the hunter ring. It makes sense, as the qualities and traits that make them successful jumpers are coveted traits for a hunter, especially for a derby horse. Scope, agility, and adjustability are all rewarded by judges.
This year, our plan for the 3'/3'3" Greens was postponed, but rerouting our ultimate path to the hunter derbies gives us more time to train and prepare. After all, slow and steady not only wins the race, but it's also one of the changes Joker faces as he continues to adjust from galloping jump-offs to that rhythmical even hunting pace our hunter judges reward.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this new journey takes us as we continue building a partnership together here in South Carolina. I hope your summer show season is going smoothly, and if you face changes and challenges, that you can also find the silver lining!
As always,
Tricia
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Joker competing in the 2'9" USHJA Hunters at the 2021 Paso Park Fall Classic in California.
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Julie Winkel: Of Bights and Smiles
CC Forgione: Hi, I have a few questions from a few of us at my barn. We ride in an adult show league, very similar to IEA or IHSA where it's catch ride-style equitation.
Settle the debate: bight of the reins to the outside crop on the inside?
Which is worse: cantering to a jump on the wrong lead, or being on the correct lead but coming back to the trot and picking up the correct lead again, essentially breaking gait?
Do judges like it when you smile at them? Or does it make you seem like you’re faking it to earn points?
Julie Winkel:
The bight of the reins should be on the right (off side), and a rider should carry their stick in their dominant hand, where it's most comfortable.
Breaking gait is worse than the wrong lead. Breaking gait is scored a 55 (or in that range), and cantering on the wrong lead or cross-cantering is usually scored in the low 60s.
Most judges don't like to see you smile directly at them, but they do appreciate seeing you smile after your round and reward your horse for a job well done.
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Jen DeNicholas reached out to us with a question we've regularly heard over the years: "In a hunter classic, will a rider be penalized for not wearing a shadbelly?"
Under HU107.3, Formal Attire: Riders are required to wear scarlet or dark coats; white shirts with white stock; white, buff or canary breeches.
Therefore, the rider isn’t penalized for not wearing a shadbelly. In our sport, men don’t wear shadbelly coats, so as long as you are traditionally dressed and follow the USEF rules for proper attire, a judge couldn’t penalize you.
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Do you have any judging questions? Hit the button and let us know!
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Julie & Tricia Out and About
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Our book is beautifully displayed this week at The Tack Room at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show in North Carolina.
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You can find Julie at the Oregon High Desert Classic in Bend, Oregon, from July 20-31. She will be doing a book signing there on Sunday morning, July 31, so if you're there, please stop by and say hello! Tricia will be in and around Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, riding her horses and working on the next issue of USHJA In Stride magazine. She also restocked the book supply at Bits & Pieces in Charleston, where you can pick up a signed copy!
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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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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