How do you feel about so many low height divisions offered in the hunters today?
These classes are hard to judge, as the low height of the fences doesn’t encourage good jumping. The horses just step over the fences, jumping flat and inverted, so it doesn’t really end up being a jumping contest, which is what the hunters are all about. What it comes down to at these low heights is the smoothest, most even round. I don’t love judging this way, but sadly that is the way it is these days, as those divisions are in demand and attract a large number of entries.
What do you consider a more serious fault: hitting or rubbing a jump in front or behind, or having a rail down in front or behind?
Let’s go to the hunt field to answer that question. If your horse were to hit a jump hard in front where the jumps are mostly solid coops and stone walls, there is a very good chance of having a fall of both horse and rider. Hitting these jumps behind is much less likely to result in a fall. For this reason, I will penalize hitting or knocking down a jump in front more harshly than a rub or rail behind.
When you mark your card, do you do it right after each jump?
No, I don’t mark the card right after each jump. I watch how they land for the possibility of any playing, bucking, or spooking, and I also watch to see if they get the proper lead change through the corner, if necessary. I like to see the horse canter away from the jump nicely in the same way it approached. I will then quickly mark the jump with a simple checkmark or other symbol so I can get back to watching and not miss anything.