How does a Judge Judge?

 

If you're new to showing (or have even been around a few times) it might seem utterly mystifying and overwhelming to know what a judge is looking for in the show ring.  Knowing how a judge assess each model is not only a great way to improve your own chances of placing, but also helps you become a better observer with eye for the right details - all the qualities that could make you a fabulous judge some day too!

 

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The following excerpt is a summery from a Judges' Workshop held at the Plastic Ponies Club. Everyone was invited to consider the models on the table and decide which would place higher in a class using the ABC's of Judging - Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Colour - to determine the winner.

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The models included in this seminar were: Jasmine (weathergirl), Banat Er Rih (PAM), Farah (PAM), Sarah Moniet, GG Valentine, a blue-eyed PS DAH Arabian, PS Faith Arabian, and a grey FAM in poor condition.

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Judging the (Arab) Halter Class:

A Shower's Mantra:  Who wins on show day is based on what else is on the table! 

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What a judge should know for any given class:

• common colour genetics of common breeds*

• breed standard (what’s allowed/what can happen verses what’s faulted)

• basic model ABC’s - Anatomy, Biomechanics, Conformation

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*Remember: Documentation helps showers & judges alike, especially with uncommon breed representations!

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As a Judge, you’re basically eliminating competition.

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Round #1 - Colour & Genetics:

PS Faith –> palomino; there are no dilutes in pure arabs

Farah PAM  –> frame overo; only white patterns in arabs: Sabino, Dominant White, and Rabicano

PS DAH Arab –> blue eyes; they DO happen (with sabino/DW), but they are a FAULT in the showring, so documentation is required to back up your breed choice.

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As a SHOWER, you can work around some issues with good documentations; like the stallion Fire’n’Ice, Faith could be shown as a flaxen sorrel; or with a blue-eyed Arabian, provide documentation explaining that he is from racing lines (like The Iceman) wherein such colour variations are not faulted.

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Round #2 - ABCs: Anatomy, Biomechanics, Conformation

FAM –> this model is in poor condition; scratches/dust/marks are like mud on a show horse

Sara Moniet –> poor anatomy; this model has a double-shoulder…

GG Valentine –> great sculpt, but not conformationally an arabain!

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What’s the difference between Anatomy vs Conformation?   

CONFORMATION is defined by each breed standard and is why different breeds look different, such as the dished face on an Arabian verses the roman nose on a Klaubder; it’s what real show horses are graded on.

ANATOMY on the other hand is how a [model] horse is put together – that the model has it’s skeleton/ joints/ muscles all in the right place… which is something you never have to worry about in the real show ring  ;)

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Round #3 - Weighing Faults & Personal Preference:

PAM Banat Er Rih –>  nice sculpt. Depicts an old-style, chubby broodmare; some absolutely love her!

– ABC’s: still competitive, even now; watch out for common issue such as splayed legs, etc

WG Jasmine –>  nice sculpt.  A trendy “modern Arabian” type by a popular sculptor; the “new” factor

– ABC’s: overall well done; she is a tippy model – but RR OF shouldn’t have to lie down

 

* In the end, it all comes down to a personal preference *

 

Both of these horses are fantastic examples, and, providing their condition and finish are comparable, there's no wrong answer.  Either could win, and the final call could come down to something as small as dust between the ears or a judges personal preference between the two types of arabians.   This is why you can show under two different qualified judges and still get different placings between them, once the "chaff" has been sorted from the class' top contenders.

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Good Places to Learn More:

• Breed Registry Web pages: for current info on different breed types, and what is allowed and/or faulted

  (NOTE: many real horse breeders are undereducated about genetic possibilities and label colours incorrectly)

• Lesli Kathman’s publications:  Judge’s Handbooks & Horse Colour series; blog - http://equinetapestry.com

• Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig Blog:  deep talks about sculpting ultra-realism - http://mink-studios.blogspot.ca

• Join web forums like ModelHorseBlab for model discussion & insight

• Model Horse Facebook groups dedicated to showing and judging

• The more of the hobby you participate in, the more you learn!

• And, OBSERVE REAL HORSES WHENEVER YOU CAN!