Western patterns for the Hunter Horse. Go or no go?

So this has been bothering me quite a bit. So much so, that I decided to resurrect my blog. In the past couple of years I have acquired some stock horse judges' license. That said, take notice of the posted pattern. Since I judge with at least one other judge at some of these 'stock' horse shows, I am not always the judge to supply the patterns. I do love building patterns and I don't use those online services that spit out whatever required pattern without much thought. I like to think of the division (amateur, novice, junior, etc) and then take note of the required elements and build a pattern from there. Unfortunately most of the people I judge with that provide patterns, not only use these mindless online services to print out whatever but they, for the most part, do not have a background in hunters.
Take note again of the pattern. Would your hunter mount be able to execute this with such acute angles at the markers?
These patterns seem to be quite popular amongst the stock horse crowd for hunter equitation. Now the only horse that can really execute this pattern is a western pleasure horse in english tack. I know this, you know this and yet, the pattern is used quite often. AND, quite often, I'm not seeing a hunt seat rider but rather a western pleasure rider on a western pleasure horse executing these patterns. It is ridiculous.
This pattern is not conducive to showing the quality of a hunt horse' gaits and strides. It does not showcase a horse that can swing freely from the shoulder in the trot along with a rider that can hold their weight in the heel while properly using their back and hips to sit the trot with impulsion. It does not promote a graceful, sweeping turn at the canter and most of the time it is set up with the markers so close, you have no room for proper transitions.
I feel this type of pattern should NOT be used whether at a 4-h show or a 'stock breed' show. This type of pattern with these acute turns do nothing to promote a graceful, easily guided and free flowing hunter type horse. Equitation aside, the pattern should not be the focus as it so often is at 'stock breed' shows. I don't care if you ride a stock breed or a thoroughbred. It's hunters people!! Graceful, sweeping turns and ground covering strides from flat kneed horses is what we expect in the hunter world, stock breed or not.
After seeing this, or a close facsimile of such a pattern, I wonder why I am judging shows that seem to have no problem with this. Nor do they recognize that it does nothing but give a western pleasure horse in english tack the advantage since the execution of the pattern is heavily weighted even in the equitation class.
I wonder is it me? Should I continue judging this or walk away from the stock horse world? Would walking away make me part of the problem of the stock horse world of judging?
I believe the latter.....for now, I'll stay. I feel I'm helping to make a difference in the stock horse world, albeit small.
Next time, my fellow judge decides their patterns are best, I'm going to exert my opinion on the hunter patterns if they look like this.
What have you experienced? Do you show in stock horse breed shows? What do you think I should do when presented with patterns such as this? Or do you even see a problem? Let me know! The blog is back and so am I.

Making An Entrance - Equitation Over Fences

Being quite frank, I have to say that I do like when a rider enters the ring and makes a 'grand entrance' on the flat for an equitation over fence class. One of the best things to do is to catch the judges' eye the SECOND you enter the ring. Keep the judge looking and expecting more from you every time you enter the ring for any class but this post is on the 'presentation' entrance to an equitation over fence class. 

To properly decide how to make your grand entrance you need 2 basic things....

1. where is the 1st jump in relation to the in gate?
2. does my horse and I do a fabulous sitting trot with impulsion? 

If the 1st fence is coming towards the in gate, then you have plenty of space to cut across the ring on the diagonal at a sitting trot and wait to pick up the canter on the turn towards the 1st fence. That is a grand entrance. 

In the course above we have the first fence going away from the in gate. The best 'grand entrance' for this particular course, in my opinion, would be to enter at the walk, immediately picking up the sitting trot between fences 8 & 9 then leg yielding left (or turning left depending on the distances) to the rail prior to passing fence 4 and just beyond fence 4, pick up the right lead canter, rate your pace and go directly to fence 1.  

Now with the below course....do you circle prior to the 1st fence or do you go directly to it, keeping in mind this is an equitation (not a hunter) round. 

Well, just my opinion, remembering there is no hard and fast rule.....I would walk through the gate and immediately pick up the right lead canter (rating the correct pace) to the first fence without circling. This would show confidence and skill that you could rate your pace for the entire course in the short distance to the first fence. Would that put you ahead of a rider who circles for the pace? Well if you were a tie on my score card, the one who took the short distance and pulled it off would have the upper 'hand'. They presented themselves with the most confidence and skill. THAT...is a grand entrance. 

So remember whenever possible, in an equitation over fence class, present yourself in the best way possible, on the flat into the course. Is that just MY opinion? Yes! Is there a rule on this? No! The only rule that applies to the presentation on course is if there is a dotted line in affect or if the first fence is a trot fence and that is a whole other blog post! 

Dress appropriately, shine your boots and present yourself on the flat when entering the ring for equitation over fences or an equitation medal. It can make or break your score! 

Have a question about a particular course? Send it along and I'll show you what I would like to see, for a grand entrance and post it for everyone, names not mentioned of course. 

Safe rides! 

The Narrator

One of the most important pieces of advice I'd like to give to parents and trainers who just cannot seem to keep themselves in check along the rail of a flat class....
Refrain from yelling change diagonals; change leads; sit a step; look up; smile; blah blah blah.....
The only thing yelling from the rail does, is point out to the judge (that's me), that your student or child is doing something wrong and I, the judge (that's me), should look to see what they are doing wrong.
This is my opinion and other judges may differ on opinion but for me (and many other judges), I will not count off for a wrong diagonal if it is changed within a stride or two. I will not count off for a wrong lead if it is immediately corrected unless I need a tie breaker for placings. I may write the back number down on wrong lead pick-ups in a canter/lope if they change directions and I want to see if they can 'cue' for the correct lead/the horse picks up the correct lead, but at a schooling show for sure, I may note it, but it doesn't mean I'll completely kick you out of the placings if you post on the wrong diagonal for a stride or two picking up the trot. It would have to be a dead heat with another rider in contention for placing for me to worry about a stride or two off the correct diagonal at the trot in an equitation class whether it's a medal or short stirrup division.
So my advice to trainers and/or parents yelling from the rail during a flat class.....

• think twice about whether the rider needs your advice
• remember this is a show (schooling or otherwise) and not a lesson
• will your commands be heard by the rider or the judge? 
• maybe this could be a good learning opportunity for the rider (short stirrup and the like division).
• how much does my voice carry? 
• will the world end if this rider does not win the blue? 
• does the tri-color ribbon mean more than the lesson to be learned by the rider?
• are you more obnoxious than an entry that makes the judge wait 10 minutes for your trainer to be done in the other ring? 
• do wheaties get soggy in whole milk or skim milk? 

Yep, that last one will really tell you if your yelling, is just hurting your rider more than helping regardless of the type of show.... schooling show and/or rated show and/or breed show and/or any show. Schooling show just means it is a show that is not sanctioned by a higher governing body. It doesn't mean every (or any) class, is a 'lesson'. Yes, it's a learning tool but as the 'rail yeller', please ask yourself

• does the judge need you narrating your riders mistakes?  
•  are you helping that rider or just pointing out their mistakes to the judge? 

It's really not a big thing. It's a horse show; it's a ribbon; it's a title; it's series points; it's zone points; it's points towards an ROM or whatever; it's points towards a scholarship....it's what it is...a show. Let those students make mistakes and SHOW what they have learned. 

Safe rides and best of show to everyone!!!

The highest and lowest of 2011

The low point of 2011 was, by far, losing my 43 year old paint, Riffraff. I miss his loud alpha personality; I miss making him soup; I miss him cantering into the barn to eat and I miss him always being there, always. As we are experiencing a very cold snap here in Florida, I am happy to say, Riffys' blanket now belongs to his longtime friend and paddock mate, Miss Flower. She will have a big warm hug from Riffy every time it is cold. She is lucky and Riff would have wanted it that way. RIP Riffraff 1968 - 2011

The high point of 2011 was again, by far, the birth of my grandson, Bentley Michael. Ironic that it is the opposite of my lowest point in 2011.....circle of life and all that stuff. Bentley brings us all much joy and he's my first grand baby. I'm a Granny and that is good, very good. Welcome Bentley Michael! 

Counting Strides Part 2

I thought that I would just add this quick post about counting strides, while we're on the subject. Canter strides start at the back end. Not that I think anyone reading is stupid but sometimes those little details just aren't explained and I know there are a lot of riders these days 'going it alone' sans trainer. Notice the horse in the picture is at the beginning of his stride....with his right hind leg going first, what lead is he on? Just an added extra credit question....

• (a) The sequence of footfalls when the left foreleg is leading: (1) right hind, (2) left hind and right fore together, (3) left fore (the leading leg)  followed by a moment of suspension when all four feet are briefly off the ground.
• (b) The sequence of footfalls when the right foreleg is leading: (1) left hind, (2) right hind and left fore together, (3) right fore (leading leg) followed by- a moment of suspension.

Therefore it's necessary to count when the moment of suspension is broken by the rear leg starting the next stride. When jumping, remember to start after your horse is completely over the fence. After the front end lands, then the back end comes underneath of them to start the first stride in that line. 

Not that I think anyone reading is stupid but sometimes those little details just aren't explained and I know there are a lot of riders these days 'going it alone' sans trainer. Good luck and safe rides! 

Training Vs Judging on Counting Strides

I'm posting this topic as I had a trainer recently question my ability to judge a hunter equitation over fences class since I do not count strides while judging.

When training any rider to ride over fences it has always been a part of my curriculum to school riders to count fences. It helps them to start learning to see the spot they want at the next fence and it helps regulate pace without harping on it along with many other advantages. When a rider is ready for a bit more strategy, I also train them to ride a 5 stride line in 4 strides and in 6 strides regardless of their horse natural stride length. That is what I do when training.

When judging hunter and hunter equitation classes over fences, I do not always count strides. I do not assume if the horse/rider chip in at a fence, that they will finish long over the second fence if set in a straight line. Each fence gets a score separately unless it is a combination, in and out, etc. If a line is set to a 12 or 13 foot stride and calls for 5 strides, that is all based on averages and except for the occasional really bad spot or oddly strided horse, it's best ridden in 5 strides. A skilled rider riding a small mount through a line calling for an average of 5 strides, may very well ride that line without a fault, in 6 strides. They may ride it in 6 strides looking just as smooth and elegant as one who rides it in 5 strides.

So my reasoning of not counting strides on a hunter or hunter equitation course is really very simple. If it looks good and everything stays subtle, graceful and elegant, counting strides is only the job of the rider and/or trainer, not the judge. For someone adding a stride but the add didn't cause them to chip in, go long, drop a rail, etc and was unnoticeable in every other way, I do not penalize. Usually if a stride is added, there is another fault more prominent to address anyway. There is no language at this time in the USEF or AQHA rules, that mandates a certain number of strides be ridden in a line on a hunter or hunter equitation course. If you are judging and counting strides, it is your preference but not a requirement. If a line is set for 5 average strides, most likely it will be ridden in 5 average strides.

So next time you go to a show, local, regional, backyard or national and the course shows distances which reflect what is expected to be a certain number of strides, go for it. Be cognizant of the size of your horse and their stride length; listen to your trainer and count out loud if you need to, but don't expect the judge to be counting along with you. Have fun and safe rides!

RIP Argus and Ridge

RIP Argus and Ridge. For those of you not familiar with the blog, "From Hell to Heaven: Saving Argus" it's powerful good reading. Argus has now passed away and the final post for his blog is up. I recommend going to the very beginning and reading all of the posts if you have not been following this blog. Argus' journey mirrors many a rescued horse' story but the bittersweet ending to this true story, is something beyond powerful. RIP Argus and Ridge.

FROM HELL TO HEAVEN: SAVING ARGUS

ARGUS IS A 18-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBRED WHO SPENT NEARLY ALL OF HIS LIFE CONTINUOUSLY LOCKED IN A 12 BY 16 PEN, WITH VERY LITTLE HUMAN CONTACT. HE WAS FED STALE BREAD, LETTUCE, AND THE OCCASIONAL FLAKE OF HAY. HE WAS LIBERATED ON DECEMBER 8TH, 2007. THIS BLOG CHRONICLES THE AMAZING STORY OF HIS REHABILITATION AND NEW LIFE.

Open Horse Show Association

For those of you not lucky enough to have a state organization that recognizes schooling shows (VHSA Associate side in Va is a really good one), there is a new organization being formed by some very reputable judges and great horse people. It's the Open Horse Show Association and right now they are running a special for regular membership, it's only $15. I'm going to sponsor an award and several others have already thrown their support in the ring too. Their website is not complete but they've been adding to it almost daily.

Please check it out at Open Horse Show Association
And something was brought to my attention a little ways back and I completely forgot to address it. No organization, author, training practices, farms, shows, registries and the like that I 'endorse' openly on this blog, has paid me with any form of renumeration, monetary or otherwise. Not that anyone thinks I have enough clout to pay me to post a great review of their book or show, etc but I did get an email with something along those lines in it. I haven't read everything but I've found some books to be really good and helpful so I pass along the suggestion. That's all this is.....my opinion and my interpretation of rules that horse shows use as guidelines. I don't always write about judging but then that's the horse show world. I judge, I show, I own horses. I do very little instructing and training because I like to judge better and don't want a conflict of interest to arise while officiating. That could be disastrous!
If you have something, a training aid, book, suggestion, etc, that you think could be of great help, please chime in! Oh and check out the OHSA if you show at local schooling shows. 

A Show In Every State

Well not that it makes much sense but it is something to do. I'm going to start my quest to judge a show in every state. I will pay my own expenses but will need help from many to find shows especially in western states. I will judge these shows free of charge and bring a small award I like to handout called the 'Judges' Choice'. I like to award this small trophy to an exhibitor that I feel has been an all around competitor throughout the day or one who displays sportsmanship 'above and beyond'. It's not usually associated in any way with points or the high point winner. If I don't have a stand out in mind half way through the show, I ask the secretary or others who help at the show, if they know of a worthy recipient. They usually do.
So that said, if you know of a show in your state, let me know. I judge halter, showmanship, western pleasure & horsemanship, trail, hunters & hunter equitation & jumpers. I have some limited experience with non trotters (not pasos), driving (reinsmanship, obstacles, pleasure) and miniature horses.
I will not be able to judge at shows that are not within an hour of an airport except possibly a few east of the Mississippi so if I turn down something it's because of a conflict or geography, please don't take it personally.

Thanksgiving

Of course it's cliche and redundant but I have to say I'm thankful for....
My even keel rock of a husband, Capt Dan
My beautiful daughter, Sabrina
My new 2 month old grandson, Bentley
My one eyed wonder horse, Private Eye (PI)
My redheaded sometimes nightMare, Scotch Pine Zip (Belle)
My always quirky, always green Knight Flight (Jack)
My graceful, lovely pony, Le Petite Rose (Rose)
My aging but still a jumping bean purebred black dog, Dollimama
My serious and always on guard purebred black dog, Bear
My sweet and ever mannerly purebred Jackita (Jack Russell/Akita) Chloe
My ever thankful Pidesian (Pitbull/Rhodisian Ridgeback) Teddi
All of the experiences in life that led me to this point.
It may be cliche and redundant but I'm not sure I ever wrote it out like this.....
And thank you for reading my blog. Send me your questions or post them in comments and I will gladly help to answer them.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone and to those in other countries, have a fantastic day!!

Time and Again

Well I suppose I'll just have to settle for being here time and again. My health is not exactly as it should be and strokes, heart attacks, etc, have sidelined me several times in these past years. So instead of apologizing for not writing in quite sometime, I'll just write as if there was no break in continuity and I hope it all works out.

I'd love to hear from other exhibitors, parents, judges and the like, about that one person that when you see them coming to the secretarys' table, you run and hide (especially if you are the secretary). I remember a few  that really mellowed out towards their elder years but there was one that was horrid. He considered himself Adonis and gift to all pony hunter queens. His use of foul language to demean his students at the out gate was enough to make you want to crawl away or punch him square in the mouth!

I don't understand people who pay for that kind of 'training'. It's not training. I have always viewed this type of behavior as a safety issue. They shake the confidence and focus of their riders to the point the riders' usually turn in a much less than perfect performance which just brings on more berating and bad trainer behavior. These types of trainers can also leave an exhibitor thinking they did very well but the judge didn't like the color of their pony or some other such nonsense the trainer will convey to them in their infinite 'trainer' wisdom. It's hard to even explain your pinnings (placings) to a trainer such as this as they will not listen to anything you have to say. They ask the question but argue the judges' every answer.

These are also the ones that will come right to the judges' or hunt you down and ask really lame questions like 'why didn't my student win'? Well that's usually a whole 'nother Oprah show but I usually can pick that one person out that no matter what, you cannot please them and no matter what, you will not be able to avoid them that day either!

PS I have no idea about the horse in the picture or what the circumstances were but I thought it was cute and was hoping that the kids were just meeting on the roof of a barn so please do not chastise me. I don't know where the picture was taken; who the people were nor their circumstances.

Blog Award

Okay, I wanted to go ahead and post the blog award from an 'anxious' reader, Silly Pony, who writes the blog, Diary of an Over Anxious Horse Owner Blog. Thank you bunches! Another great surprise! I appreciate being included in your blog reading. 

There are some requirements to accepting this so I'll copy and paste that here and then go through the list. 

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

Okay, now seven things about myself...

1. I do not like to go shopping. 
2. I have way more fabric than I'll ever sew.
3. I still prefer my old SLR 'film' camera to all the digital cameras I've owned. 
4. It took me a year to figure out how to sync my bluetooth to my phone and use it. 
5. I have blue eyes and my favorite color is blue. Coincidence?
6. I hate to sweep so I vacuum and there is no carpeting in my home (too many dogs). 
7. I have always wanted to be able to sing but sadly I couldn't carry a tune if it only weighed an ounce and I could store it in a locket around my neck! 

Award 15 recently discovered bloggers .... well I'm going to modify that just a tad..

Award 15 that I've recently read.....

1. Home On The Range - A small town girl living on her own on the ranch.
2. Love, From Arizona  - The horse shoeing housewife
3. Brown Eyed Cowgirls
4. The Mustang Diaries
5. Oh Horse Feathers & Other Twisted Tails
6. Riding Instructor's Diary
7. Behind the Bit
8. Horse Book Reviews
9. From Racehorse to Showhorse
10. TB at X  - An ex-racehorse learns dressage
11. Tacky Tack of the Day -A look at some good and bad equine equipment on the market today.
12. Mugwump Chronicles
13. Riding Aside
14. The Literary Horse
15. Cake Wrecks

Now to go contact and award these bloggers! ...... 

Author, Anna Jane White-Mullin has a new book out!!

I just received this email and had to post the information!

I was reading your September 24, 2009 post, entitled "So You Want to be a Horse Show Judge," and noticed that you have my first book, "Judging Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation," on your reading list.  I wanted to let you know that I have a new book, "The Complete Guide to Hunter Seat Training, Showing, and Judging," that was recently been endorsed by both the USEF and USPC.  Also, I have a new website, www. annamullin.com, that features a weekly Blog, Horse Articles, and Horse Videos.  I hope you'll take a look--Best wishes, Anna Jane White-Mullin

I know I'll be getting a copy soon. I had no idea there was a new book from her. If anyone has read it, please feel free to leave a review in the comments. I love, love, love the first one! Her writing is in such easy terms, even a beginner or novice would easily understand and benefit from reading it.
Thank you Anna for taking the time to drop me a line!

Asking for Tips From Everyone....

Question from a reader asks.....


Any tips on making white hooves look better in the ring? My paint has four white legs past the knees/hocks. I think painted black hooves look silly on a horse who obviously has naturally white hooves. I currently use clear hoof polish and a top-coat of spray shine. They're shiny, but they still show uneven color. I have heard that it's possible to "sand" the hooves to remove the darker areas, but I'm unsure of the safety of that practice. I've noticed his feet look perfect when he's turned out in the snow, but I've tried scrubbing and it doesn't seem to work well enough. 


Personally I like the shiny white hooves and uneven coloring does not bother me at all. Depending on the coloring on the legs, black polish may just make your horse appear to be wearing clunky bell boots and could detract from the overall appearance. It could also make less than stellar movement stand out much more than it would otherwise. 

I'm not sure about sanding the hooves except for the smallest of uneven nicks or a sloppy nail filing from the farrier but that's just me.
So anyone and everyone with a tip for this reader? Please feel free to chime in with your experiences and preferences!
Oh and as for white, I'm still using corn starch or baby powder so I know I'm way behind the times on that! LOL! 

A Tale of Two Judges

So many topics have crossed my mind at just the worst time for me to sit at the computer and write a post. Thank you for the award...I will pick it up and post here soon, I've just been busy and away for a bit. I'll get caught up. Anyway....
So I'm sitting at a hunter show and was told that another judge would be joining me as this show was 'double pointed' (I guess it was a make up for a bad weather day when the show had been cancelled). After a few hours of the beginner classes of various names, everything was going along fine. A few comments between us and we seemed to get along fine with the same regards for the performances in front of us. Then it was on to the greener horses and a bit more experienced riders and ponies. Still, our scoring seemed fairly on point together.
And then came the medal rounds. These were 2 phase medals for ponies and junior riders, junior riders on horses and amateur adults riding whatever they felt comfortable riding. Now this was not the ASPCA Maclay and the riders were, for the most part paired well with a suitable mount, save for a few that should have either rethought their ability or their mounts' ability to perform rollbacks and trot fences. Some had obvious major faults  which makes it easier to pin in a class of 8. You don't have to be so nit picky about form and function if they ride a long approach as if they had been asked to 'gallop home' through the timers on a jump course!
So when it came to pinning this little class of 8 I had already given numerical scores. It was just a matter of calling in my results which I did. Then I noticed all the fiddling and tallying going on next to me. This other judge seemed to be adding up numbers and making notes and writing a novel. I didn't really understand as they were using a similar shorthand to mine up to this class. The other judge had not really been using numerical scoring for rounds but then it wasn't required and the classes were fairly small. Not hard to figure out your placings anyway. Still, they scribbled, fiddled, tallied....checked and checked another. Okay, I'm starting to think I must have missed something and looked back at my own card. No, nothing hard about this. A rollback ridden out wide as though it were just another long approach hunter fence....a halt to trot fence ridden as though it was merely a hesitation to a downward transition and then, pushing way too much with her seat so as to canter her mount a stride in front of the fence, late or no lead changes....easy stuff. Noticeably easy for anyone to score. Okay! Finally, the other judge has written the order of pinnings for the class and is calling them in.
WHAT THE HELL DID I MISS???? Did they just put my winner in sixth place and my sixth place as the winner? Did I call my placings in backwards, did I write them down backwards? I scrambled again looking at my card and my scores and my shorthand ticks, scrawls and hieroglyphics.....the other judged placed the EXACT OPPOSITE OF ME!! I was shaken for a moment because I hate making the mistake of pinning backwards or calling in a number and they announce it and you have to take it back (or war will break out amongst the 'rail yellars') and then someone in the ring is either humiliated or feels like they did better than ....so anyway I just went at it assuming it was me who had made a mistake. No, I could not find a problem at all with my pinnings, even after checking back numbers and the horse color (which I always note beside the back number just in case 2 numbers get confused or something ...i.e. fat paint pony or bay with pink shirt rider, something that makes them different from the other thousand bays...). So I'm thinking how in the world do I broach this subject without asking the other judge if they were blind or could I pick them up some glasses or perhaps a strong shot of whiskey? Well, lucky for me, they started announcing my placings first. Then the other judges' placings were announced.  And then even though this mad scoring and my crazy dash to recheck and check, had all taken place in the course of maybe five minutes, the placings were now 'out there' and I was about to find out either from the other judge or oh no! No!!! War was breaking out all around the ring. They were lighting torches and storm clouds gathered. Flashes of lightening and loud grumbles of thunder were seen and heard gathering around the gate personnel and ribbon bearer! Suddenly the porta potty looked inviting so I ran. I did NOT want to know what I missed anymore I just wanted to be invisible and hopefully no one would push the porta potty over!! The 'blue smell' was overwhelming but the scary hoards of horse show moms and trainers were even more ominous looking after those placings were called. I still didn't know if it was my head or my counterparts, that they wanted. Slowly, after breathing through the very proper mongrammed cardigan I was donning for the day, I could take the smell no longer. I had to face this monster or that one, head on!! I peeked out the door.....the judges' stand was engulfed with people. People on horses had ridden up to it; show personnel were there; even the little girl who was the ribbon bearer (or passer outter if you may) was there but I couldn't see the other judge. I noticed a flash of metal in the mob. It was my clipboard...I recognized the stickers on it. Well, just gotta go over there now and try to scramble my way through this. Let's see....I could say the sun was blinding me, my glasses fogged up, my proper straw hat had too big of a brim, if that all failed I'll fain stupidity and start rambling incoherently. I know how these scenarios go and they never end well for at least one involved party. I didn't want to be that party and I still couldn't figure it all out.
Approaching the judges' stand, the other judge calls out my name to come over and I shot a glare from my eyes that would have put Satan on his knees for mercy!!! Judges' do not rat out the whereabouts of another judge when a raging mob of judge haters breaks out to question an entire pinning! (Remember that...) I slowly walked to the gallows of the judges' box. I felt the icy stares and the armor piercing finger pointing....what did I miss already!!!???? What is it I did?????? Climbing those three stairs to my fate was excrutiating. I plopped down in the really uncomfortable high directors' chair. But then, the clouds parted, rays of warm sun started pouring down on me like one of those movies where Moses parts the ocean! IT WASN'T ME THEY WANTED TO HANG!!!! Yes!!!! It was the other judges' blood they wanted, not mine!!!! Whew!
Okay, now I could do no wrong. But what did the other judge do???? Well I almost didn't care because at that point you would have thought I had just flown down from the heavens and was a golden ray of light in this dark mob.
The secretary asked for my card. I gladly pulled it from the box attached to my clipboard and turned it over saying that I could explain any of the writing on it to whomever needed an interpretation. Cool and calm I asked if there was a problem? The other judge asked to speak to me privately and I said well, what is wrong?  (with a hint of cool innocence ). The other JUDGE asked me to interpret my card. What? It was only eight rounds over fences and a simple one direction trot and canter on the rail with some variances (sitting, posting, no stirrup work, yada, yada, yada, the usual stuff). I could relay almost every riders' performance from memory and I'm not a young person! So I did. I referred to my notes a bit and explained each round as though I was teaching a clinic.
The other judge then spoke. She said she did not know what I was looking at but that is not at all, what she had seen. So I asked  her to interpret her placings. She refused to go through the whole line up saying that whatever I was looking at when I judged the rounds was not correct. She accused me of placing the winner who, in her opinion did not get one single spot to a fence correct and cut her corners off too sharply. Huh? My winner? My winner?
Okay, I could go on like this for hours explaining what happened in 'novel' fashion but it's getting dark and I need to get out to the barn....so long story longer.....
The other judge placed her riders by simply checking off whether or not they got a good spot to the fence. Or to simplify that ... the optimum take off distance in front of a fence in relation to the rounding over the fence and having an equal spot upon landing on the other side. Her logic was that if they could do that, then they must have ridden everything else correctly or they would not have found that 'spot'.
Okay, I'll admit it, I make note of a chip or long spot if I believe it was the fault of the rider and yes, it usually is but I also know that someone is NOT cutting corners when riding through an element called a ROLLBACK!! Yes. She did not know about rollbacks. She assumed the person riding to the second fence of the rollback while using the entire ring was more correct by riding it as a long approach. And if that isn't bad enough she also claimed that her placings were completely changed after the flat work. Huh? I rarely change or make drastic changes after the fence course to the flat. You may gain a little bit or lose a little bit in the flat work but you would have to be hanging off the tail or fall off completely to really have the flat make a huge difference in your score. Why is that? Because the course work is more complicated. The one who rides the course the best may not be your best 'no stirrup posting trotter' but they are most likely going to be in the top of the flat class.
What an experience! It was not the first time I have double judged and of course when you are learning you sit with all kinds of judges with all kinds of personalities, likes and dislikes but if you look back at them after the show, you usually have the idea of where they were 'pinning' from and getting their scores (even if you really didn't care for the view on politics or the fact that they would not speak a single word to you all day but we'll leave that to another post).
Anyway, I left that day feeling like a golden true blue judge. I was right and they were so very very wrong!! I actually found myself to be a bit obnoxious on the drive home that day. I knew it would not be long before I would judge again, and all things wonderful about me would be humbled once again!
The moral of this story? You just don't know what some judges' are looking for and even if they tell you, you might still not understand it.

To Braid or Band for 1 day show?

"Another question: How do you feel about Braiding vs. Banding on a horse that's shown both HUS and Western during a one-day show? My trainer told me to do what was most appropriate for the discipline my horse was "better" at, stating some sort of psychology that the judge would be (for example) more forgiving of a less than perfect lope on a braided horse because the horse is clearly primarily English.... Is there any truth in that?"

Yes, I realize the western horse is not banded but it was a quickly found picture depicting two different disciplines. 

My take on this is what your trainer told you to some degree. Braid if your horse is more hunter built; band if more western built. If you braid and show in halter and showmanship, please match your attire accordingly. Use a bridle if braided and a well fitted halter if banded for the halter and showmanship classes.
As for forgiving a less than perfect lope on a braided horse? Don't bet on it. If it's a pleasure class, it will be judged per pleasure standards and braids and bands won't matter. If it's a performance class such as hunter under saddle or western pleasure, again, it will be judged on the acceptable standards and the mane should have no affect on your placing. I say 'should' because there may undoubtedly be someone judging a show that could be biased to the turnout and weight it much heavier than I would. If you've braided or banded, most likely the rest of the turnout is going to up to showing standards so the style of the mane would not sway me one way or another. 
The two links below are great, short tutorials on the subject of banding and braiding. I suggest you practice a lot. It's not hard to make great braid buttons or band but does take some practice to get it right. 


How to braid a mane
How to band a mane

Pivots In Regards to Western Horsemanship

Another question continued from the previous post....

"....is it still desirable to keep a planted pivot foot during a horsemanship turn, or is it more acceptable considering the increased speed to have that foot raise and lower in the same place or even have both rear feet changing position but keeping the hip more or less in the same place? ..."

It is not only desirable to keep the pivot foot planted, but it is the correct way to perform a pivot. When executing a pivot, also known as turn on haunches, it is never acceptable for the horse to raise the 'pivot' leg. That is the hind leg that would be on the inside of the turn. The front legs must cross in front. If you are going to execute the pivot with speed to maintain your pace throughout the pattern and your horse lifts the pivot leg, you will be counted off. That is another reason to remember that just because you can do one maneuver swiftly with precision, does not mean keeping up that pace throughout isn't going to cause you problems with other maneuvers you may still be finishing in training at home. 

Most horses that are being trained for western classes that are not classified as speed classes (i.e. western pleasure, horsemanship, etc) usually learn the pivot in hand as it is also a maneuver acceptable in showmanship patterns. 

Remember if the pivot leg lifts, it's a fault. To what degree it is penalized on the final score is up to the judge. If the front legs are crossing in the front and not behind one another and the pivot leg is only lifted once, possibly twice if the footing is grass or firmer ground (it's easier for a horse to pivot on loose footing, sand, sand clay, crushed stone, etc) I would probably only count down a point but that really depends on many other factors. 

When practicing pivots at home, it is wise to use hoof and leg protection whether practicing in hand or under saddle. 

More from this readers' inquiry yet come...! 

Question on Western Horsemanship Patterns

I recently received an inquiry with several questions to it. I'll break these down into the specific questions.

".... noticed that the patterns are being run much faster than I am used to,nearly at reining speed, and one included a roll-back. ...."

Okay, the easiest answer first. Yes, roll-backs are an allowed maneuver for horsemanship patterns per AQHA rules. It is not a required maneuver, just an element that can be included.

As for the speed of a rider executing the pattern... of course you want continuity between elements. Unless the pattern specifically states that you halt or hesitate going from one maneuver to the next, you should always try to transition smoothly. Which brings us to the speed of the overall execution. The only way to do the pattern with fluidity is the same for a hunter medal or any other equitation class. The pace must be maintained throughout. Speed in a horsemanship pattern is most definitely going to 'up' the degree of difficulty. If you can maintain that increased speed throughout the entire pattern, you are going to show that you can handle the higher degree of difficulty and probably gain a point to two on the overall presentation. But if the speed is not maintained through all maneuvers, your pace will suffer and the mistakes that you may make because of that, will count you down.

So that said, how fast should you execute the pattern? At the top levels which are the various breed sanctioned shows like AQHA's World and even Congress shows, you should be 'up to speed' for the pattern and maneuvers. Will it win you points at your state breed association show circuits? Yes,it should, because those shows are also judged by judges who are governed to use the same rules as the highest level shows within that breed association. Will speed which shows an increased level of difficulty win you points at your local non sanctioned shows? If you execute the maneuvers well with precision, it should as well. Just remember that increased speed needs to be maintained throughout all of the maneuvers otherwise the pace will suffer a half point or so casualty on your score and may also contribute to further mistakes within each element of the pattern, also placing your score lower.

You should not rush through any maneuver no matter how well you and your horse can execute said maneuver because you may not be able to maintain that level of speed throughout.

For reference the exact wording from the AQHA rule book regarding speed in western horsemanship patterns falls under the performance section which is judged on a ten point scale....

"the exhibitor should perform the work accurately, precisely, smoothly, and with a reasonable amount of promptness. Increasing speed of the maneuvers performed increases the degree of difficulty; however, accuracy and precision should not be sacrificed for speed. Exhibitors that perform the pattern sluggishly and allow their horse to move without adequate impulsion, collection or cadence will be penalized. "

See, the rules do not specify a time limit or minimum time allowed but the most subjective part of this, in regards to judging a pattern is the amount of points a judge will penalize you. Speed will undoubtedly open up a can of mistakes if you cannot perform well but on the same token, speed will influence a higher score if you can maintain it and perform precisely all maneuvers.

There is more from this same readers' inquiry but since I've already written a novel here, I'll answer those in upcoming posts. Feel free to discuss or ask for further clarification in the comments. I'm open to hearing all of your opinions and even direct experience regarding this topic.

Squirrel Evictanator!

Okay, another off topic post but I wanted to share this little tidbit of info with others who may not know it. I surely didn't.
So I have had a problem with squirrels getting into the tack room and now the feed room. Nothing I have built, fenced in, painted with smelly or foul tasting stuff, nothing....has worked!!
It was time for our bug man to come out and clean the eaves of the house and put down the new 'barrier' spray for termites (we have them by the ton here in Florida year round.). I asked him if they dealt with larger pests, such as squirrels. He told me yes, I told him where and was given an estimate of $250 to have them eradicated and with a guarantee. I thought that was a bit expensive and how could they guarantee they wouldn't come back? I was told they would install what they referred to as an 'evictor' light which is a light that puts out random flashes and sometimes stay on for a minute or so just like someone switching a light on and off and sometimes a strobe effect. Hmmmm, I told him I'd have to ask my husband if we had the money for that and he went on to his next job.
Then I got in the car and drove to a party supply shop and bought 2 strobe lights that have little dials on them to set the pattern at random or noise activation or whatnot. For 2 of them, it was $30. I'm thinking of going into the 'squirrel eviction' business. There seems to be quite the mark up for profit.
I would think this could also work for raccoons, opossums, rats, bats (although I like bats here with our mosquito population), maybe even mice too. I would make sure that you put some weather stripping on the bottom of the door and make sure windows are blacked out somehow so it doesn't drive your horse insane.
So in case this has never been a problem in your attic or barn or wherever, you're lucky. For those who didn't know this, head to the party store to stock up for your next 'squirrel eviction' party.
An 'on topic' post is coming soon I promise. I've been busy being the squirrel evicta-nator!!  

Off Topic ...

Way off topic but I just had to write this, more as a reminder to myself than anything. When I come back to read it, if it still applies, I'll definitely make sure to use it. What is it you ask?
Lately I've been cleaning a lot. Getting ready to paint some rooms and put in new flooring and tile. I've noticed that when I clean, the other residents here clean more too. I know everyone has always heard about 'set a good example and blah, blah, blah'. This has never happened in my house. Never. Maybe it's the new year or something but I like this!
I'll be back with a new post on  point soon.  Happy New Year!