11/08/2023
HOW TO GET THE JUDGE ON YOUR SIDE!
People often wonder what they can do to improve their scores, and get the judges to look for reasons to give points, and not hand them reasons to take points away, as they strive to show their equine partners.
Here are a few.
Show your horse at a level that you and your horse are proficient.
It does not matter if it is a new show season. If you have not done the work to prepare for a higher level, do not enter classes above where your horse can do all of the requirements somewhat comfortably.
Prepare.
Grooming training and preparing take months of practice and the judge knows what a well turned out and prepared horse and rider look like. That means every thing. Groomed to perfection, tack clean and conditioned, clothing clean and appropriate.
You and your horse should be fit enough for the warm up and the class plus 10-15 extra minutes. Meaning you or your horse should not be “so tired” that you use the walk portion of the test to catch your breath. The whole test needs to be ridden to the best of your collective abilities.
Smile and have empathy.
For your horse, the judge and the other competitors. Be a good sport. Don’t hog the warmup. I was at regionals in a crowded warmup recently with a young horse and I was on the rail and a rider came straight towards me not leaving enough room as she flew towards us and passed left to left in a medium canter. But her whip hit my horse in the face causing him to jump out of the ring and then be apprehensive about oncoming traffic. Leave room and keep an eye for green horses or riders when at the show.
A smile and a composed face do a lot to let the judge know that you are there to present your horse. You are there as his friend and leader first and a competitor second. Judges appreciate riders who know how much they can ask of their horse in the ring.
Ride accurately
If you do not ride the test precisely the judge has to believe that either you cannot steer through a correct pattern or your horse does not steer correctly. Don’t lose those points. Perfect practice makes perfect. Video yourself as often as you can find a way to do so and fix the big, then small problems until they disappear. An accurate test with a well turned out horse and rider who has a good attitude and empathy for the horse will get noticed and rewarded.
Watch and learn.
When you have a chance, watch tests of those better than you or classes you hope to prepare for. Watch the warm up, the ride, and then go check out the score and see if it matches your thoughts. Train your eye so you are not surprised by your scores.
Be courteous
To everyone. Show management, other competitors, well just everyone. Congratulate folks that do well, and mean it.
Everyone is on their own journey even those in your class. You may not know what it took for someone to even get to show so…. Be courteous.
Have fun.
Make up your mind ahead of time to have fun showing. Become part of a group at the show so you have a team to cheer you on and help if needed. Ask a trainer you know if you can stable with them if no one from your barn is going. Make friends have fun!
In the long run it is all about you and your horse. You want him on your side, ready to work for you and feeling good about his job. When that happens you have already won.
Happy Centerlines!
