Green Country Fox Trotting Horse Association

SO YOU WANT TO JUDGE HORSES…..

            There are some fundamentals that you must possess in order to be a successful horse event judge:

·         Integrity, this above all else is required.  The rest can be learned.

·         Complete and clear understanding of the rules governing the event you wish to judge.

·         The procedures required to successfully judge an event.

                I’ve judged gaited horses since about 1985 with very few problems.  I can relay some of my experiences in this text to maybe help someone else to become a good judge.

                When I decided to become a judge it was because I saw some things going on in the show ring different places that prompted me to do this.  I saw the need for unbiased and educated horse event judges.  I did not become a judge for the money or prestige.  You have to be very honest with yourself.  If either of these reasons are yours then don’t bother.

                I don’t feel that one can judge effectively an event in which one has not competed.  Get some experience competing before you take the test.  When you are confident that you know the class procedures then seek out judges and ask to apprentice under them.  Most judges are more than willing to help someone who sincerely is seeking a judge’s license for the right reasons.  Some of the best judges are those who will continue to compete while maintaining a judges card.  It takes a lot of experience in the show ring to become a good judge.  Remember this, “Judge not lest ye be Judged”.  Competing occasionally is very good for keeping one humble.

                Study the appropriate rule book until you know it well enough to find something quickly should a problem or question arise during the event at which you are officiating.

                When you are judging don’t look above the saddle except for judging the equitation of the rider.  It doesn’t matter if it is your worst enemy or your best friend riding.  Don’t let either have any effect on your placements.

                When you are called to judge make your first question be “Will you send me your rules in advance of the event”.  Then you can work out the salary, travel, lodging, etc.  Make sure you are qualified to judge their event before you accept the job.

                The horse show world is always in need of judges with good moral character and knowledge.  Stay focused and don’t allow your feelings to be carried on your shoulder.  Someone will always be ready to confront you with opposition.  This is why you need to be confident that you know the rules as well as anyone. 

“If you know the rules, you can play the game”        Rick Gates

JUDGE TRAINING NOTES 

ｷ                    A Judge can make or break the success of a show.  You are representing the breed.  Keep the show flowing.  Judge to the best of the abilities for which you have been trained.  Always keep in mind the Mission Statement of the MFTHBA.

ｷ                    Equitation judging is very important for the public image of the breed.  The public is looking for a smooth ride.  The equitation judging portion is currently 10%, don’t forget it in your final placements.

ｷ                    Don’t let social media sway your judgement prior to the show you judge.  Judge each class as if you have never seen these horses before and do not consider the horses prior wins or losses when tying a class.

ｷ                    When called to judge a show, always have the show mgmt. send you their rules to you in advance.  Some multi-breed shows may have multiple sets of rules.

ｷ                    If you have doubts that you are ready to judge on your own, don’t limit yourself to the minimum of 3 apprenticeships.  Seek out shows and ask the show mgmt. if their judge would mind letting you apprentice.  The expenses for the logistics of all apprenticeships are yours.

ｷ                    No judge should want to disqualify any exhibitor due to tack rule infractions.  Always ask show mgmt. if they can provide a tack judge to inspect tack before classes are called.  If not you may need to try to do this yourself if appropriate and possible.

ｷ                    If you spot a horse  during a class that is bleeding, it should be excused from the class immediately at any show.  The exhibitor probably doesn’t  know that the horse is bleeding.  Unlevel horses or horses that are pushed too hard should be penalized on your card.  Unsportsman-like behavior or abuse of horse or show personnel are grounds for immediate DQ and suspension from participating in that show.

ｷ                    Every judge will make a mistake now and then, especially in placing large classes.  The larger the class the smaller your physical scope of judging will be.

ｷ                    Your desire to become a judge should be for the right reasons.  There is a need for educated, qualified, unbiased, ethical, and available judges.  Your job is very important to the success of a show.  The better the judge’s reputation, the more entries in the show.

ｷ                    You don’t do anyone a favor by placing them higher than you really feel they deserve.  You don’t do yourself a favor by placing anyone lower than they deserve.

ｷ                    You will always have the best seat in the house!

A friend sent me this picture after visiting his daughter in Texas.  While visiting her he walked out on the back porch and saw this frog in the dogs water dispenser.  He brought it to her attention and she replied, oh he’s always in there.  She’d take him out and he’d find his way back in.  She put him out in a “kiddy pool” some 50 yards away the day my friend left and went back to Florida.  Shortly after he arrived back in Florida he got an email with this picture and a quick note “He’s Back”.

FOUNDERS RIDE AT Cedar Lake – October 14th, 2017 is coming up… get your horses ready for some long rides.  Shoes are required!

For all that attended the ride the weather could not have been better.  Good people, good food, good riding.  Please post your experience, let those that could not attend share your weekend.  Send me your pictures and I will post them throughout the site.  There are a lot of Fox Trotter owners in the area that don’t know who we are or what we are about.  Well, give them a taste of what they are missing. 

5 1/2 cups warm water

3 packages RAPID RISE yeast (two tablespoons).

  (Update: You can use regular yeast, but you will need to let is rise TWICE. Once in the bowl, til it reaches the top…and then again in the pans, til it reaches the top. With the RAPID RISE you only need to let it rise once in the pans.)

2 Tablespoons salt

3 Tablespoons sugar

11 cups flour (ALL PURPOSE OR BREAD FLOUR)

 Mix altogether, then spoon into (4) well greased loaf pans.  Let rise in pans until dough reaches the top of the pans, and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown. (My oven runs a little hot so I ended up cooking mine for a total of 35 minutes. Just keep an eye on it. You’re looking for golden brown.) 10 minutes before done, brush with melted butter. Makes 4 loaves. Bread will be moist at first. Allow to COOL COMPLETELY before cutting. Makes terrific toast.

Only 5 ingredients!!!

All ingredients go in at the same time.

This will barely fit in my 5 quart KitchenAid.  It is a lot easier to just mix it in a large bowl.

Mix only enough to combine all ingredients. Hardly any mixing at all.  The dough will be VERY STICKY.  Spoon into 4 loaf pans.  About half full unless you have large loaf pans.

Let rise until dough crowns top of pans, BAKE!!! Ten minutes before timer goes off, brush melted butter on the tops.

 TADA!!!! Perfect golden brown….Loaves should be golden brown on all sides.  Let cool on cooling rack until COMPLETELY cooled. (Otherwise you will just have a mess).

 MAKES THE BEST TOAST AND GRILLED SANDWICHES, FREEZES VERY WELL IF IT LASTS THAT LONG.  DON’T FORGET THE HONEY AND JAM!!!  I LIKE TO ADD RAISINS OR CRANBERRIES (to the dough). 

Just a reminder to Trail Riders. If your horse isn’t conditioned for a long ride you could cause him some health problems if you take him on a long ride. Always try to ride and condition your horse weeks before going on a long ride. This will give you the opportunity to see which type of girth material works best, any shoeing issues, etc. Practicing this will allow you and your horse to enjoy the ride.

Rick Gates

Just a tidbit of info for those of you who keep your horse stalled a lot.  A horses mind becomes more relaxed when he is allowed to interact with other equine.  He can also soak up some UVs if let out for part of the day at least.  If he is getting a lot of good protein in his diet he will need to run and play sometimes to help burn it off.

Rick Gates

Horse camping is great fun.  I’ve heard that horse trail riding/camping is the second most popular recreation in OK, second to fishing I believe.  Do your best to care for the trails you ride like they are your own.  This will help ensure that they will remain open in the future.

Rick Gates

Some folks may not realize it but to go into a class and perform for 10 to 20 minutes at peak performance without mistakes takes months of work.  Your horse has to be in top physical condition and be able to maintain this peak performance without any bobbles to place high in the class.  Grandpa used to tell me a horse has proportionately the same stamina as a man.  A man cannot sprint for 15 minutes carrying 50# and your mount can’t perform carrying 300# of rider and gear unless he is in top physical condition.

Rick Gates

I’ve been a gaited horse judge for almost 30 years. The exhibitors that impress me the most are the ones I see that are consistently good and look like they are enjoying their ride while putting on a good show. It also impresses me when I walk the line-up and see a horse that has done well performing and is not thumping, with big nostrils, and out of air. I will penalize someone who has shown an over-ridden and out of condition horse. It is just not fair to the horse.

Rick Gates