Showing Improvement/Requirements???

[NoviceNic]

My 8 yr old daughter Jasmyn is taking a very keen shine to showing. We have a black Shetland pony called Bonnie who scrubs up quite well for a native mud monster. :p

My question is though is what do judges look for in In Hand Classes and Ridden.

The classes Jasmyn likes to enter are:

Best Pony and Rider Lead Rein
Young Handler under 12's
Mountain and Moorland

She also likes to enter the fun classes

Prettiest Face
Prettiest tail
etc.

Any advise and improvements would be greatfully received.

[lindz]

For ridden classes, judges will be looking for a combination of manners, paces, way of going and confirmation/type.

For an inhand class the judge is mostly looking at conformation/type and paces.

For the lead rein class, manners are paramount but conformation will also be taken into account. A judge will be looking for a pony with the manners and personality suitable for a young child to ride.

Young handler is judged purely on the childs ability to show off a pony correctly in an inhand class, the handlers turnout will also be taken into account.

Mountain And Moorland class will be judges as above depending on what type of class it is, eg inhand or ridden.


Ok thats a very brief explanation. Just shout if you need anthing else clarifying.

[NoviceNic]

Would it be rude of me to ask the judges for any tips on improvements??

[Mehitabel]

no, not at all, but don't be offended if they don't have time, especially if they've got a lot of classes to do. also some are more helpful than others, so do develop a thick skin just in case!

[NoviceNic]

I think I can manage a thick skin but my 8yr old struggles to understand why the judges don't love her pony as much as she does. :(

[Kanuma]

ive found when dealing with little kids, that it is best to ask the judge when the kid is not in hearing range! some judges can be a little bit offensive!

i had one reacently at a show, we had a 7 year old rideing harvey our welsh b. we were in the veteran class and the M&M class and they clashes because they ran the M&M class early, there were only 3 in the M&M class and all of them were in the Veteran class. so i sent someone to the judge to appologise and say we would be over ASAP, the judge then had a go at her (luckily she is 17 and thick skinned) when we took them over to the M&M he then had a go at the leader and the kid on board (we changed leader as i was knackered!!!!) kid obviousely burst into tears!!
i then had a go at the judge, and complained to the secretary and the judgeing panel he belonged to, i hope he got a good telling off!!! you do not shout at kids, its a very quick way to put them off showing!!! luckily she did well in her other classes and we cheered her up by calling the judge names all the way home, she was giggleing by the end of it and says she wants to do some more, but not if that "evil man" was judgeing.

[NoviceNic]

Yes I think you are right Kanuma. I am sure Jasmyn would get quite sensitive about hearing any negative comments. As for the Judge of yours. :mad: They should be reminded they are judging children. Absolutely shocking behaviour.

[Kanuma]

got a nice little letter from the society that siad judge was affiliated with, said they had spoken to the judge about his behavior, it may have baan a soaking wet rainy day but you dont have a go at the kids!

[chapsgal]

Everything I could think of has been said as far as ridden and in hand showing is concerned. As for lead rein, from my experience, you could have the best looking pony in the class but if the judge doesnt think it is suitable for a child he/she will reflect this. So dont be disheartened if there is a 'better' turned out pony etc as it isnt always the case.

Also just a tip for young handler..the judge is looking at the pony as if it were a usual in hand class, but is also looking for what the handler is doing, to show the pony off. The only thing I would say is for your daughter to practise at home, by you moving around the pony as if you were the judge. When the judge looks at the pony from the front, tell your daughter to move to the side at arms reach,
Judge is at side, tell daughter to move to the front...basically any angle the judge looks at her pony, she should make sure she is not blocking any view. so judge can see clearly, the front/sides and back.

Doing all this while trying to get pony standing square and keeping his attention. And on the run out, make sure its a straight line away from the judge so he/she can get a clear rear view of conformation, then trot back on the same line directly towards the judge. The judge will move out of the way, but they need to see them trotting AT them in order to see straightness etc.

Hope that helps! a lot of it has been said.