Okay, so through my own judging and in sitting with other judges while I announce, I have noticed a few things that I thought I’d pass along.
1 – Keep Cantering! – Everyone seems to make the same mistake when their horse doesn’t have its changes or misses a change, and that is to bring the horse back down to a trot and correct the lead with a simple change. If you are training your horse or schooling your horse, yes, that is probably the best thing to do. But if you are showing and actually want to be in the ribbons (not at the bigger shows, but at a small local show), it is always better to KEEP CANTERING, even if it’s on the wrong lead or your horse is cross-cantering. Most judges use a numerical scoring system for every round, and breaking to the trot brings your score down into the 50s or lower. Cross-cantering or counter-cantering will only bring you down into the upper 60s or maybe even the lower 70s.
2 – Wear Gloves! – This might sound like a minor thing, but judges don’t see it that way in an equitation class. I recently sat with a judge who deducted 5 points the minute anybody stepped into the ring without gloves on in an eq class. It’s such a simple thing to bring your score up, why start your round with a 5-point deficit? Wouldn’t you rather have a score of 82 than a 77?
3 – Carry a Crop in the Ring But Only Use it Outside of the Ring! – This is something that I will penalize heavily for and most judges will too. There is nothing more off-putting than seeing a rider smack a horse with the crop to leave the ground when they aren’t using their leg. You should not punish the horse for your lack of strength and timing. If the horse refuses a jump, a single smack to the hind end might be required but any more than that is unacceptable. A small tap to the neck to build pace in an opening circle is okay too, but I don’t want to be able to hear it. And it’s okay right outside of the in-gate as long as it isn’t excessive. As far as the judge is concerned, when you are in the ring, you are showing, you aren’t schooling; no matter what your goal for the class may be.
4 – Keep Your Mouth Closed! – I judged several classes where this girl had a very nice mover, but her constant, LOUD calls of “Good Boy!” all the way around the ring turned me off so much that I didn’t pin her. I also once judged a walk trot class where one of the kids was saying under her breath whenever I got anywhere near her “Oh, please give me a first, please give me a first…” Sorry, no way! I also don’t like it when little kids smile these huge fake smiles. It’s supposed to be fun, but it’s not a beauty pageant, you’re supposed to be “workmanlike” and concentrating. And if you forget your course, turn your head and look to your trainer for guidance, but please don’t shout out “Where do I go next?“
5 – Release, Release, Release! – I know I’ve harped on this before, but it never seems to change. Release in the air over the jumps! I see so many horses restricted as they jump, I am amazed that they are as tolerant and patient as they are. I don’t blame them for getting cranky, running away or stopping when they get punished every time they jump. The reins are not for balance.
I hope I don't offend this rider I took at a recent RI show, but if her hands were up about 4 inches and pressing on his neck, look how great her position would be!
That’s it for now. If I think of any more, I will pass those on too!
