Ask the Judge: black stirrup irons, standing martingales, puddles and more

What would happen to a rider who entered the ring for an equitation class with black stirrup irons?

The rider would automatically be eliminated. Black irons are not permitted in equitation classes, either in Canada or the US.

In the Children’s Pony Hunter, the pony jumps the first jump perfectly, canters through the corner and stops to poop. The pony then carries on and completes the course perfectly. How would you score this?

Sorry, but a poop stop is not allowed! The stop would be scored as a refusal, even though the rest was a good round.

How do you feel about a standing martingale that is adjusted so loosely that it does nothing?

No points are lost, but sloppy, ill-fitting tack is distracting to the overall picture. It is better to take it off, as it is of no use.

Can a rider leave the ring without first asking permission when their horse or pony is misbehaving in a flat class?

There is absolutely no need to ask. Just come to a walk and head to the in-gate, trying not to get in the way of the other riders when leaving.

What sort of questions can you ask riders in an equitation work-off class?

The judge may ask questions concerning horsemanship, equine anatomy, tack, and stable management.

After a rainstorm, puddles are all over the ring and a horse jumps around the course really well, but dodges or jumps across a puddle without breaking stride. How do you judge that?

Lets go back to the hunt field! There is water in the fields and your horse has to gallop through and jump in and out of puddles. I say you need to stay straight and just jump smoothly.

Before the start of a course, a rider steers his horse too close to a standard and brushes it, knocking it or a rail down. How do you score that?

This has actually never happened when I’ve been judging, but it could, I suppose. I am going to say put the rail back and let them go. I would call it an unfortunate start and it would be considered a major fault.

In the beginner novice equitation on the flat classes, is walk, trot, and canter enough – or do you want to see more at that level?

I strongly suggest that the minimum will be enough to sort them out. Those early levels need to stick to the basics, and more can be asked as they advance. P.S. I probably would add a halt to the gaits to be sure the brakes work!