Best Seat in the House
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!
