Ask the Judge: bad transitions, crossing stirrups, dogs at horse shows and more

A horse or pony (or the rider) jogs back into the ring and stumbles. The reins are dropped and the horse or pony gets loose. Are they eliminated?

No. Simply catch the horse or pony and then have them re-jog and everything is good to go.

In a handy hunter class a trot jump is called for, but while transitioning down from the canter, a horse walks. How serious is that ?

Serious. They need to come down to the trot – no walk or halt.

How do you feel about a rider spending a lot of time petting their horse before starting their course?

Save it for a reward at the end. It usually means that the horse is edgy or nervous, and this will show up somewhere on course.

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In a rated division in an under-saddle class, would you pin an unbraided horse over a braided one?

If the horse is the superior mover, then yes. But I do feel that they should be braided and if they were close as movers it could be the tie-breaker.

When you ask riders to drop their stirrups, do you allow them to cross them first before they continue?

Yes, it is a rule and you need to tell riders they may cross their stirrups if they so choose. This is necessary, as the banging stirrups on the horse’s side may cause it to bolt.

Do you as a judge in a jumper equitation class have the right to say anything about the time allowed if you feel it is too tight ?

Yes, the rules state that the course designer will ask me and then we will make the proper adjustment.

When horses are allowed to wear bell boots in bad weather, do they jog back with or without them?

I am going to say preferably without, but they are not excused if they come back into the ring with them on.

Do you think that exhibitors and owners should be allowed to bring their dogs on leashes to the horse show ring?

Sorry, no – it is a horse show, not a dog show. It always happens – they start barking, get in a fight, get too close to the ring, or run into the ring and spook a horse.

P.S. I would not bring a horse to a dog show!

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Rider Psychology

Ask the Judge: bad transitions, crossing stirrups, dogs at horse shows and more

Randy Roy is a senior international judge, course designer and author. He owns and operates Hunters Glen Show Stable in King, ON, with his d

A horse or pony (or the rider) jogs back into the ring and stumbles. The reins are dropped and the horse or pony gets loose. Are they eliminated?

In a handy hunter class a trot jump is called for, but while transitioning down from the canter, a horse walks. How serious is that ?

How do you feel about a rider spending a lot of time petting their horse before starting their course?

In a rated division in an under-saddle class, would you pin an unbraided horse over a braided one?

When you ask riders to drop their stirrups, do you allow them to cross them first before they continue?

Do you as a judge in a jumper equitation class have the right to say anything about the time allowed if you feel it is too tight ?

When horses are allowed to wear bell boots in bad weather, do they jog back with or without them?

Do you think that exhibitors and owners should be allowed to bring their dogs on leashes to the horse show ring?

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