Jacksonville Plays Hosts to first Ask the Judges Symposium
Green Cove Springs, FL –January 26th, Friday evening saw the first of a new series of symposiums, “Ask the Judges”, presented by the USHJA and hosted by Katie Young of Coriander Farm. Close to 60 exhibitors, trainers, and professional riders enjoyed an open discussion with three of the sport’s top rated judges. Rob Bielefeld, Carl Hansen, and Frank Willard were prepared to share hunter and equitation videos from both the Harrisburg and Devon Horse Shows with a little chatting afterwards but they were pleasantly surprised to see an hour turn into almost 3 hours of questions and enlightenment for the participants.
“I’ve done a lot of clinics and such for USEF but this was very different. It was great to see so many interested.”, began R rated judge Frank Willard of High Point, NC, “When shows run long, people for a variety of reason never ask a judge how or why they were placed or not placed.” He explained that exhibitors often are unaware that asking to see the judge’s card is not only permitted but sometimes what most judges would appreciate. “I’d love for people to come and see me when we both have some spare time.” Frank explained with a grin, “there are always breaks in a day such as the inevitable trainer conflicts that hold a ring up, if an exhibitor simply approaches the steward or end gate keeper to ask if the judge could talk with them on a break most judges will find the time to accommodate. A lot of people are intimidated to ask but you should.”, Frank went on to elaborate, “most people want to know how a judge came about giving them 3rd or 6th place and rather then go away mad should just talk to them. Where this judge may feel you were 6th the next one (judge) may put you 3rd. The thing to do is approach this as a learning experience, say I’d like to know.”
Frank said that there were so many good questions asked, giving the panel of judges an opportunity to not only educate but the chance to clear away several misconceptions or unfounded assumptions in what judges base their decisions on. An exhibitor present asked do clothes count? “Absolutely” all three of the panel replied. “I have a symbol; Polished, Poise, and Presentation” Frank began, “Plus or minus, and everything gets a plus or minus in the event of a tie breaker. When you get to that tied situation and there’s a horse whose braided, the girl’s boots are shiny and she’s well turned out then there’s the other turnout who’s just kind of plain and dirty but both their performances are almost the same…the plus and minus can determine higher placing.” Turn out is a factor with the judges whether in an equitation or regular class, once a rider be they a professional or amateur steps into the ring they are being judged. “From entrance to exit. They may have a good round but if on the way out a judge sees head wagging or pulling that can and often does prompt a judge to say I thought they had a good ride but now maybe not. So everything you do in that ring counts.” A vast majority of the participants were unaware of this, which leaves Frank and other judges to believe educational symposiums like this are not only good but also needed. “We (the panel) all wish we had brought our cards! They really didn’t know how we mark our cards. None of us had really expected that so it didn’t occur to us to bring them…we certainly will the next time. People need to see and understand the process.”
One of the biggest assumptions made of judging was brought to light when a woman in the audience asked, “What do you think about color?” Frank innocently replied back he wasn’t sure of her question, “I wonder if it was in reference to clothing, tack, or other equipment perhaps.” only to discover she meant color of the horse. “Judges are meant to be color blind.” He responded and she redirected, “No really, I know judges don’t like Appaloosas or Palominos or such. Why?” The panel in turn explained why she and others think that to be gospel, “A lot of horses of color are bred for color they’re not bred to do the job. Plus the fact is there are less Appaloosas than bay or chestnuts in the sport. There is no off color to us, a good one is a good one and a bum is a bum.”
Still on the subject of color one exhibitor stated, “I’m getting ready to buy a horse and I’d like to know what color to buy?” Frank’s simple advice was, “I’d buy the horse that suits you. A good horse.” The questioner persisted in wanting to know what color exactly to buy leading Frank to share a personal experience with the audience of how a woman came to his farm in search of a grey horse to buy, knowing that Frank is a highly respected judge of course. When asked did she just want a grey horse or did she want to buy a good horse the purchaser was uncertain how to answer. Frank rephrased and asked why did she want a grey horse to which came the answer “because there are fewer of them in the ring”. Judges he asserted notice a good trip or a bad trip in the ring, nothing else matters.
While all three of the panel judges left thinking it had been a wonderful experience for the participants the realization came to them, “There’s a lot of stuff they just don’t know!” Frank exclaimed, “and should know. Parts of the fault lay with everyone. Lack of knowledge and/or laziness sadly does lead to a lot of what’s known as judge bashing. When a bad trip happens or a rider performs poorly it’s often easier to say you know the judge just didn’t like you, the horse, or whatever rather than maybe a sad truth of having been sold an over priced horse with less ability than touted or poor instructions on what is judged-expected when going into the ring.” It’s easier for some to blame the “guy with the pen.” Frank admits they (judges) understand and accept that but feel it should also be understood where these excuses/explanations are coming from at times. Judges take it on the chin and will continue to do their duties by the sport’s set rules.
Frank was impressed to see some the industry’s top trainers, also R rated judges themselves, were in attendance noting, “You’re never too old or too experienced to learn something new and we are pleased to see that. We certainly didn’t tell those ladies or Katie Young anything they don’t already know but it was a fine example they set by being there.” He said perhaps the only disappointment was not seeing more of the professionals attend. Several of the upper and even local trainers were amazed to learn that even little items such as boots being shined can make a big difference in the event of a tie breaker. Every little nuance from hairnets holding to straight saddle pads to clean boots can set an exhibitor apart from their competition and often be a deciding factor in the end. Frank stated his own daughter is held to these same rules, “it’s all part of your presentation.”
All three judges on the panel agreed unanimously this symposium was a great success and definitely should be expanded upon for future events throughout the many venues. “It was obviously something that was needed. And certainly appreciated by the people attending. In the future I think trainers could be a big help by encouraging their kids-adults to go and ask the questions without fear.” Having these “live body discussions” versus a typed up pamphlet will make more of an impact; provide more of an education to our riders and trainers Frank conveyed.
Given the overwhelming success of this event Classic Co working with the USHJA (US Hunter Jumper Association) plan to host more “Ask the Judge” open discussion sessions throughout it’s 2007 season in the hope of helping exhibitors and trainers to better prepare as well as understand how their sport’s officials make their decisions.
The Jacksonville Winter Series continues until February 11th with classes Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8AM until about 5PM. Coming up the Jacksonville Jerry Parks Insurance $25,000 Hunter Classic on Saturday February 3rd at 7PM and the Jacksonville Winter A to Z $35,000 Grand Prix benefiting the Jacksonville Zoo on Sunday February 4th with activities for young and old starting at 11AM. Zoo residents will be visiting and a special silent auction will take place on the show grounds prior to the main event at 2PM. Admission to the shows are free, a $5 donation is requested for special events, which in turn is given to the series’ various charities. For more information or results on the 2007 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 904-284-9492.
Flashpoint Media Services is a comprehensive public relations and marketing firm specializing in PR for athletes and other members of the equestrian community. Based in Harrodsburg, KY. the company is a division of the nationally ranked Flashpoint Photography. For additional information contact Robbi Meisel or Cynthia Grisolia at (859) 734-3713, [email protected] or [email protected].
Leave a Response (or trackback on your own site)
You must be logged in to post a comment.