PleasureHorse.com
is facilitating a teaching/learning center, whereby the public may ask Judges questions on a regular basis. This
week's topic is Halter.
Many thanks to these Judges who took time to help our readers with these VERY insighful Answers!
Pop-up their profiles:
· [Charlie Cole]
· [NancySue Ryan]
· [Bill Kaven]
· [Julie Voge]
Question 1:
When judging, say Amateur Halter Geldings, where there are frequently "real"
halter horses as well as riders, how do you evaluate the class, given the
often dramatic difference in style of halter horses vs. riders? (Question
from APHA exhibitor, where we do not have performance halter classes.)
I look for the best balanced horse, then I look at degree of muscling.
I utilize a combination of balance, structural correctness, movement,
breed and sex characteristics and adequate muscling, to judge every horse in a
halter class, performance horse or halter horse.
A properly conformed horse is just that....for me I start with the same
criteria for every halter class: Balance, Structure, Quality, Muscling. I
would definitely place a properly conformed horse that is in acceptable
riding shape over a "well-conditioned" straight shouldered, crooked legged
horse any day. At some shows it is very tough to find anything close to
ideal and at other shows, you get to take the group of correct ones and pick
your personal preference from there.
Halter is judged on conformation, therefore, pretty, balance, correct structure and straight legs are primary. Halter horses are placed above the "riders" unless there is a gross conformation fault.
Question 2:
When watching halter classes, I have observed some wide variation in how
judges evaluate a horse that does not appear to be completely sound. For
example, with a horse that is "off" (perhaps a 1 or 2 out of 5 on a lameness
scale), some judges will pin the horse as though nothing were amiss, whereas
other judges will not use the horse, or will not pin the horse as high.
What is your personal opinion as a judge on how such a horse should be
evaluated?
This is a hard call... soundness is an important criteria. But I also take
into account the arena condition. I don't excuse a horse for taking one or
two bad steps if the clods are the size of softballs in the arena. For a
horse to be excused there has to be no doubt in my mind the horse is
unsound. If it's questionable I will re-track the horse, the benefit of the
doubt always goes to the horse.
An obviously lame horse, which is consistently lame, is ALWAYS excused from the arena on my card.
A horse that is a grade 2 lameness or higher will be excused from the
class. If judges do not agree to excuse a horse then that is where the
difference in placings come from. Judging lameness is just as subjective as judging
the class. I have had vets that do not agree how lame a horse is.
I try to be certain a horse is lame, if I am in doubt I retrack the horse,
some times a horse is just a really bad mover and I judge it accordingly. The
card I sign in mine and I decide whether the horse is lame or not for myself.
Question 3: What changes would you like to see, if any, in the standard for halter
horses? Are there any types of horses that you would like to see more of
(or less of) in the halter classes?
Personally I do not like the over built, over muscled fat horse.
I really love to see a properly conformed horse that is pretty. They don't
have to be the heaviest muscled in the class as long as they have enough to
maintain breed character.
I do think the halter horses have gotten to be somewhat on the extreme side,
"Orin Mixers Horse" is a beautiful well balanced example of a quarter horse
and that is what I look for in a halter horse.
I think we have a good standard in the Orren Mixer painting.
Question 4: What mistakes do you see exhibitors making in showing their halter
horses?
Showmanship exhibitors crossing over in front of their horses when i am
trying to view the front legs. Wait till I have crossed over before you do.
Have someone hold your horse and see how high you should hold the head to
make your horses neck look the best. This is something easy that i see a
lot of. It's not showmanship, the horses ears should not be at your waist:)
Not getting there horse set up for the judge or not getting the feet in
the best spot to make the horse look it's best.
Not standing the horse up it the horses' best potential.
OH, I love this question, I am constantly amazed how many times I have to
tell the exhibitor the "pattern" in halter, "walk horse directly towards
judge, when judge steps aside, trot to the cone and trot a left turn around cone
and continue trotting". If I walked in the western riding everyday not knowing
the pattern, there would be some irritated judges! [I can hear NSR screaming at me now! haha]
Question 5:What do you like to see ammy dressed in for regular AQHA classes and also
Futurities?
Attire is a presonal preference. As long as it is clean and well fitted.
A high quaility hat that is well shaped is a must.
I like nice, well fitting suits.
I don't even consider what an exhibitor is wearing in Halter. A nice conservative outfit is fine - as well as a starched shirt and pants.
Clothes!!!! It doesn't mean a hill of beans, I'm just evaluating the horse!
Question 6: What are some tips for showing in Weanling Halter Classes?
Practice at home and take them somewhere else first before you head to your
first show with them
NO CHAINS!
Be patient and handle your weanling as much as you can before you start
showing it.
Set your horse up and show only when the judges are looking at you. Let
your baby relax in between judges.
Question 7: What are your biggest complaints regarding Halter Classes?
A lot of people do not teach them good manners. As a judge it is
impossible to judge a horse that will not stand still.
Exhibitors who cannot walk straight to the judge, exhibitors who are scared of their horse and allow the horse to misbehave, exhibitors who stand to close to the horse in front of them, we have to view the horse from front and back, I do not want to be kicked, exhibitors who have a friend outside the arena throwing towels in the air, exhibitors who have candy wrappers, breath spray or a lighter to get horses ears up.
Question 8: How much weight do you think a [young] halter horse should carry? For
example: The focus is on fit and not fat. Are you looking for fit in
terms of the kind of weight a riding horse carries?
Weight is the last thing I look at, and its not actually weight , its degree
of muscling.
I like to see the horse carry enough weight to look like they have been
properly cared for, but don't want to see a 'waisty' looking horse that is
carrying to much fat to fill in where muscle should be!
A fit horse is always better than a fat horse!
Question 9: What's the biggest mistake amateur exhibitors make while showing their
horse in halter? And/or what do the handlers do that you don't like to
see?
I think not getting their horses set up well.
Not getting their horse set up to be judged. Standing on the left side
when I am trying to get a far away profile look at the horses.
[See answers to question #7 and #8]
Question 10: How do you feel about performance halter and its effect on the
"traditional" halter class? Good, bad? All things being equal, will the
AQHA adopted "ideal" horse (Orren Mixer pic) still be what horses are
judged against?
I like the performance halter.
I do not know yet wether or not performance halter is going to be a good
thing or a bad thing for the halter industry as it is it's first year for
the class.
I have no opinion on the performance halter. I do not think it has helped or hindered the halter horses.
Question 11: What criteria do you use to choose between two horses that are equal all
the way around? (behavior included in the equal quotient).
How well the exhibitor showed his/her horse.
I guess I go with eye appeal in a tie.
Absolutely 'behavior' is a huge quotient!
Question 12: Many people say that horses of color (buckskins, palominos) are less
favorable colors. Does this really matter to judges?
No.
Not to this judge, matter of fact , I think an exceptionally good horse that
is an off color is more memorable.
I think sometimes it is hard to see the muscle definition on a gray or light palomino, but NO color has no influence in the class unless it has excessive white.
Good horses are good horses. Color does not matter.
Question 13: Will you adhere to the paint characteristics being undesireable when considering placement in halter, all things being equal conformationally/behavior in the class?
YES.
Yes as this is what we have been instructed to do by the association.
Im going to let the best horse win.
Question 14:Do judges really take notice of the halter horses are shown in? A lot
of folks say you must have XXX brand, etc. or it will look bad. If the
halter fits well and compliments the horse, does it matter if it is not
sterling silver?
Have it fit well, be clean and compliment the head.
Just like saddles in riding classes, I don't even notice take, unless it is poor fitting.
A well fitted halter is imperative!
Halter just need to fit correctly and compliment the horse.
Question 15:How skiny is too skiny for a halter horse that is also a riding horse?
A thin, skinny or emaciated horse is never considered for the top of the halter class or a performance class.
A skinny horse is a skinny horse no matter what class they are in, If I can
count the horses ribs its too skinny.
When the shadow of the ribs can be seen then for me that is too thin for
any horse.
I DO NOT like to see ribs!
Question 16:Is it possible REALLY for a yearling to go Grand Champion at a large show, I mean
even the really good ones? I know it happens once in a great while -
have even done it myself, but realistically, don't most judges lean
toward the older horses?
If the best horse for grand is a yearling then that horse will be
awarded grand. The size of the show makes no difference.
I personally use/like the younger horses because I don't like all the bulk the older horse carries.
I have let yearlings go Grand' many times.
The best horse regardless of age should be your grand champion.
Question 17:There's quite a bit of current discussion among halter exhibitors and
trainers that the AQHA Executive Committee wants to move away from specialization, and is
purposely trying to eliminate the exhibition of halter horses which are not
ridden. Have you heard that? Do you agree with that concept?
I don't think this is true. I think maybe they are looking to improve the
halter horses and get away from the grosely over weight halter horses.
I have not heard this and thus have no opinion on the subject.
Halter is really the last class left that we can preserve breed type and
character. I don't want to see it go away!
Halter will always be around. I have never heard that the Executive Committee is trying to do away with halter classes.
Question 18:Over the last few years, it appears the associations are becoming less
tolerant of bad-legged and overly-heavy horses. Do you feel these issues
have gotten better in recent years? How severely do you penalize horses that
are in your opinion overweight or have structural issues with their legs?
I do feel like the horses being exhibited are more correct in their feet
and legs and are not showing with excessive fat. How you veiw a horse with
these traits depends on the competion.
Significantly!
Again, over weight and structural issues are a big concern and these horses are not my winners!
Question 19:Does having a well-known trainer walk up to the entry cones only a few
feet from you with their amateur clients affect how you place the amateur in
the class? Does it make you more or less likely to place the amateur well?
I don't even consider an exhibitor with a "name brand trainer". We do not have time to remember who belongs to who... we want to get the class judged and move on.
It does not matter to me who trains with who. They still have to go out
and get the horse shown and have the best horse in the class.
It has no bearing on my placing and most likely I would not notice the
trainer. Any good ethical judge is not going to let politics sway their opinion.
And I think the bad judges are few and far between.
Question 20:What are the types of things a halter exhibitor does when showing to you
that you particularly like? Dislike?
I like people to be proud of what they are showing. The turnout of both
exhibitor and horse demonstrates this. I do not like to try to veiw a horse
when the exhibitor is stand in my line of vision. Stand on the opposite side
so I can get an unobstructed view of the horse.
Walk straight to the judge, set horse up safely behind horse in front, and quietly exhibit the horse. Leave the breath spray, candy wrappers and towel tosser at the barn.
I really like it when they have a smile and say 'hello' to me!
Question 21:Based on halter classes you have judged within the past year, what
changes
do you feel could be made to benefit the stock breed halter industry?
Maintaining the theory of 'form to function'.
Time will tell if the performance halter will aid or hurt the industry.
I would like to think it will help. As more performance people show in the
performance halter and make more points available for grand and reserve you
may see more people trying their hand at halter again. You might also see more
halter horses being ridden so they can compete in the performance halter. We
just will have to wait and see what happens.
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