Standing Out

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Standing Out This past Monday and Tuesday, Julie co-facilitated the USHJA Hunter Breeding Licensed Officials Clinic with Oliver Brown, where they went over the processes for judging these classes. In our book, we devote Chapter 3 to focusing on Models and In-Hand Classes. You might wonder if an entire chapter is needed to explain the seemingly simple act of walking into the ring and standing a pony or horse up for conformation judging—but it is! Handling your horse or pony and presenting them at their best is an art unto itself and one that takes a lot of practice. Last week we attended the Aiken Spring Classic Masters in South Carolina, where trainer Annie Walters showed her yearling pony Quicksilver Casanova for the first time. She'd spent time working with him at home, teaching him to wear a bridle, stand for conformation and trot in hand.  So, while he was one of the best behaved youngsters in the hunter breeding classes, there was one small issue that she discovered during the show. Each time the judge walked up to study Casanova, he got nervous and sidestepped away from her. Therefore, presenting him ideally to the judge was a challenge. Now, Annie's homework is to practice with Casanova while someone walks around him carrying a clipboard and pretends to be a judge.  Sometimes we think showing is all about winning that elusive blue ribbon, but, in reality, it's also about learning and improving. The next time Annie and Casanova show they'll have even more experience under their belts and will be one step closer to perfecting their performance--and maybe that first blue ribbon will follow!   As always,       Tricia          Get The Digital Book The Judge's Card Rita Timpanero: On Tripping Missy Carter, a newsletter subscriber, asked: My Adult Hunter usually gets a top ribbon in the under saddle, but at our last show he didn't place. He tripped once at the trot going the first direction but otherwise he was his usual great self. Could that be why he didn't place? Judging WTF Panelist Rita Timpanero: This is an interesting question! These are my thoughts: I’m not the judge of this Adult Hunter under saddle class. I’m not seeing the horse’s way of moving live, and I’m not viewing this class from a video clip. The angle from where the judge is viewing the class can contribute to the evaluation of the trip. The judge may view the trip as a soft trip or a hard trip. The judge may see the end of the trip and may view it as a break in stride. The judge may see the rhythm of the horse be interrupted as a result of the trip.  Competition varies at every single horse show, even when competing with the same group of horses. The judge may be focused on other horses, not even see the horse trip, and prefer the way of moving of the other horses. The opinion of the horse’s way of moving can vary considerably, often according to the background of the official. Wishing you the best of luck! Social Media Recap Thank you all so much for the great answers, conversations and sharing of experiences on social media! Many of you nailed it—Depending on the severity of the buck and whether it's from freshness or anger, the judge could score in the low 60s or below. Jaimie Thurman: It depends on the class. Big no no in short stirrup but may be taken a little lighter in the performance hunters. Cyndi Jones Fletcher: My guy's score dropped from what would have been 85.5 to a 55 (judges were kind enough to tell us what it was going to be) after he let out a big celebration buck after the last fence of an other wise stellar derby handy round. Nicole Harris: Same!! My guy did it at the end of a stellar round in a National Derby last year. Perhaps they are related!! Brenda Terry: Depends on the buck. If it’s a little playfulness, I don’t mind. But if it’s enough to cause the horse to fall off their lead or disrupt the rhythm then I would take more off. Do you have any judging questions?  Hit the button and let us know! Ask Us Julie & Tricia Out and About We’re excited to be judging the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Hunt Seat National Finals this weekend in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and we wish all of the competitors the best of luck! Ink Horse Publishing is a proud sponsor of the IEA National Finals, and co-publisher Michelle Bloch will be on site in Vendor Row selling signed books. Stop by and pick one up if you haven't purchased one yet, and read about what we're seeing, doing and thinking up in the judge's booth!   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  Buy The Book Copyright © Judging WTF - All Rights Reserved Our mailing address is: 24 Dalrymple Rd.  Branchville, NJ 07826 judgingwtf.com Do you want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.