Rec and Sports

Equestrian Rider Guide – How Judges Judge Equestrian Sports

An equestrian rider is a person who is skilled in riding or driving a horse or someone who performs equestrianism. Usually, an equestrian rider uses these skills to perform in competitive equestrian sports. But before a rider can be successful, he or she has to have endurance, hardships, mental and physical intellect. Aside from extensive trainings and competitions, skills are also developed through races and games.

The demand on specialized skills from both the horse and the rider has increased, since the equestrian sports evolved. After horses stopped being used in combat, equestrian sports became popular and the skills were preserved. Equestrian sports are now entertaining crowds while preserving horsemanship. In this type of sport, control and balance, from both the horse and equestrian rider, are the key to success.

Equestrian riders train their horses to be ridden or driven in many different sporting events and competitions such as show jumping, eventing, dressage, etc. In these competitions, either or both the rider and the horse are being judged. Like in dressage competition, the horse is judged based on the level of its impulsion, collection and obedience. On the other hand, in a show jumping, judgments are made based on the ability of the horse and the rider to jump over a series of obstacles at a given time.

Equestrian sports are judged by qualified individuals who are very knowledgeable in the rules and judging procedures. There are different judges for the different equestrian sports. This is so because equestrian sports have a very wide scope.

If you are an equestrian rider, there are many things that can confuse you in understanding why and how you and your horse are judged. You might ask why a horse is ranked better than the other. You might also wonder why a horse show class is placed or a bay horse gets ranked first while the chestnut is ranked second. To further understand this, there are three things to consider.

Equestrian riders have to consider that judges have an up close view of every horse in a competition. Judges also have the best vantage point to see all the factors, where they base their decisions on.

The second thing to consider is that each class has its own specific rules. For example, Arabian Mare halter classes are judged according to its type while the Arabian Gelding halter classes are judged with conformation.

Each class has different specifications, which the judges have to set. Evaluations made by the judges will be different in relation to the horses class, as indicated by the rule book.

Equestrian riders also have to consider that excellence is one of the key factors in judging a horse show. A horse that commits a few minor mistakes but gives an excellent performance will outrank a mediocre horse with perfect performance. Other factors that have to be considered are good gait, frame and overall elegance. Also, when judged from a positive standpoint, the best horse will always surface as a winner.