Training

Ask the Judge: poor footing, stand-by order, modern hunter jumps 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

By: Randy Roy | June 26, 2013

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you're listening to an article from horse sport.com. ask the judge: poor footing, stand-by order, modern hunter jumps and more by: randy roy. if the footing is really poor after a heavy rainstorm, can you as the judge request that the jumps are lowered? adjustments of the course fall to the discretion of the course designer and the horse show management. in most cases, they will make the proper adjustments to accommodate the effects of the weather. if not, you could always approach the course designer and politely ask his thoughts on lowering the jumps, given the compromised footing. this is a good way of handling it – but the final decision rests with the designer and horse show management. do you feel giving a stand-by order for the first class can influence the performance in the second class for those who haven’t gone yet? not so much in the professional divisions, but with the younger riders i feel it does. it can put pressure on them when they hear that they have placed high in the first class. it is probably best not to have the stand-by announced, but simply have it available at the in-gate for those who wish to see it. when entering the hunter ring, do you have a preference for when the horse picks up the canter? also, for the transition to canter, is it better to go from a walk or a trot? the best canter departure is whatever you know to be best for your horse. if your horse trots really well, show that off a little bit, then head into your canter. if his canter is his best gait, then go right to it. if he needs to walk a bit first to relax upon entering the ring, then do that before picking up the canter. the one thing i don’t like in the hunter ring is a halt from the walk or the trot before cantering; save that for the jumper ring. advertisement scroll to continue with content how do you feel about hunters starting on course like equitation horses, with too much flexion? this is definitely not my preference! i like to see a nice hunter cantering to the first jump on a relaxed rein, balanced without hard contact, not slow or backwards, just relaxed, easy, and pleasant. how do you feel about tall boots and breeches versus jodhpurs in the pony divisions? on small ponies with young children, jodhpurs look more appropriate. once they’re into the medium and large ponies, either option is fine, based on the preference of the rider and trainer. as the judge, i wouldn’t deduct points from either presentation, although i will on the basis of an unsuitably-sized rider on a pony. as i am in the ring and approaching the first jump, i notice that the judge is not watching, or is talking on his cell phone. do i continue or pull up? definitely continue. if the judge misses the first jump, chances are he or she will mark it as a good one. you could also mention your observations to the horse show management; a judge really shouldn’t be using his phone when an exhibitor is in the ring. how do you feel about the hunter jumps today that are so filled in and substantial? bravo! who wants to jump an airy rack of rails with no ground lines which encourages chipping, hanging legs, rails down, and can be downright dangerous? leave yesterday’s style of jumps in the past. i applaud jumps being built today in a manner that encourages good jumping. horse%20ender.tif. &&>

If the footing is really poor after a heavy rainstorm, can you as the judge request that the jumps are lowered?

Adjustments of the course fall to the discretion of the course designer and the horse show management. In most cases, they will make the proper adjustments to accommodate the effects of the weather. If not, you could always approach the course designer and politely ask his thoughts on lowering the jumps, given the compromised footing. This is a good way of handling it – but the final decision rests with the designer and horse show management.

Do you feel giving a stand-by order for the first class can influence the performance in the second class for those who haven’t gone yet?

Not so much in the professional divisions, but with the younger riders I feel it does. It can put pressure on them when they hear that they have placed high in the first class. It is probably best not to have the stand-by announced, but simply have it available at the in-gate for those who wish to see it.

When entering the hunter ring, do you have a preference for when the horse picks up the canter? Also, for the transition to canter, is it better to go from a walk or a trot?

The best canter departure is whatever you know to be best for your horse. If your horse trots really well, show that off a little bit, then head into your canter. If his canter is his best gait, then go right to it. If he needs to walk a bit first to relax upon entering the ring, then do that before picking up the canter. The one thing I don’t like in the hunter ring is a halt from the walk or the trot before cantering; save that for the jumper ring.

Scroll to continue with content

How do you feel about hunters starting on course like equitation horses, with too much flexion?

This is definitely not my preference! I like to see a nice hunter cantering to the first jump on a relaxed rein, balanced without hard contact, not slow or backwards, just relaxed, easy, and pleasant.

How do you feel about tall boots and breeches versus jodhpurs in the pony divisions?

On small ponies with young children, jodhpurs look more appropriate. Once they’re into the medium and large ponies, either option is fine, based on the preference of the rider and trainer. As the judge, I wouldn’t deduct points from either presentation, although I will on the basis of an unsuitably-sized rider on a pony.

As I am in the ring and approaching the first jump, I notice that the judge is not watching, or is talking on his cell phone. Do I continue or pull up?

Definitely continue. If the judge misses the first jump, chances are he or she will mark it as a good one. You could also mention your observations to the horse show management; a judge really shouldn’t be using his phone when an exhibitor is in the ring.

How do you feel about the hunter jumps today that are so filled in and substantial?

Bravo! Who wants to jump an airy rack of rails with no ground lines which encourages chipping, hanging legs, rails down, and can be downright dangerous? Leave yesterday’s style of jumps in the past. I applaud jumps being built today in a manner that encourages good jumping. horse%20ender.tif