Class Etiquette
I love this photo, even though this man was the announcer-- not the judge-- his look of grief behind the table packed with Workmanship models, ready to be judged, is just a perfect picture.
Classes can be packed with or absolutely bereft of horses. The former tends to lead to serious congestion problems. Documentation can also lend to that problem and can come across as inconsiderate to other exhibitors in the way it is presented. When there's a class with 48 horses on the table, even though you're allowed an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of documentation it may be best to leave it back, or ask the judge to view it before hand.
In this section we're going to go over bullet points of how to best handle yourself in the classes.
Classes can be packed with or absolutely bereft of horses. The former tends to lead to serious congestion problems. Documentation can also lend to that problem and can come across as inconsiderate to other exhibitors in the way it is presented. When there's a class with 48 horses on the table, even though you're allowed an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of documentation it may be best to leave it back, or ask the judge to view it before hand.
In this section we're going to go over bullet points of how to best handle yourself in the classes.
Important Class Etiquette Points
- Remove your Horse after the Class is pinned - As a judge and a spectator, there is nothing more frustrating than either miscounting horses in a class because a previous entry wasn't picked up-- or waiting for table space that is being held up by a horse that was left behind. Believe it or not it does slow the show down and while neither the Judge nor Exhibitor can move your horse... the judge can call for you to pick it up, and if you don't claim your horse the judge can then move the horse to the "Pony Pound" (a table at the front of the hall where unclaimed horses go) for you to come and get it when you're ready.
- Don't Hover over the Show Ring - as much as you might like to wait around to see how the judge pins the class, it's best to back away from the table while the judge does their thing. If I want to watch the pinning and judging of a class I tend to stand about 6 feet back from the table.
- Don't Argue with the Judge - If you're outraged with your horse's lack of placing... don't approach the judge in such a manner. You can say "My horse didn't place, and I was wondering what I could do next time to make him more successful." but do NOT say "Just so you know, my horse has always won first place so you must be playing favorites for not pinning him."
- DO ask the Judge questions! - While this obviously isn't mandatory... After a class has been pinned, if the judge isn't busy with their own show horses take the time to ask them why your horse didn't pin, and what you can do to improve your horse's success. In most cases the judge can tell you why your horse didn't pin, or why she pinned the horses she did. The judge's answers can range from "There were a lot of horses in the class, and the horses that I pinned had better shading, color, and breed assignments" to "Your horse has a bit of over spray on his blaze while the others did not" If the judge says "I just thought the other horses were prettier" you may want to let the show host know after the show (via e-mail or something).
- Be a Gracious Winner - People have varying opinions on this topic. Some feel that winners should show no reaction at all as it would "rub it in" to those who didn't win. Others feel that winners who show no emotion are unappreciative of their pinning. I personally don't care, haha. BUT-- be mindful if your horse wins a tough class to show restraint when removing your horse from the table. Don't get overly excited and say "HAH! My Regular Run beat YOUR One of a Kind!" -- don't even say "I can't believe my Regular Run beat a One of a Kind!" It comes across as being rude. I personally thank the judge sometimes. Other times I smile and pick up my horses and walk off.
- Be a Gracious Loser - Yup, this is equally as important. Don't scowl at the winners. Don't make a rude remark about the pinnings under your breath. Don't jump to nasty conclusions. If you're truly that upset about not winning, collect yourself and ask the Judge what you could do to improve your horse's chances at success (as listed above) -- sometimes other models have better paint jobs. Out of 7 Heartbreaker foals, one might win and yours might lose. Ask why. A lot of the times it has to do with other OF models having better paint jobs. Things totally out of your control! But, having that knowledge will lead to success later down the road.
- Be Mindful of Table Space - Sometimes, as pictured at the top of the page, the classes are PACKED with horses. Try to display your horse in such a way where it won't take up too much space. While we all want our horses to be the center of attention, if the table is going to be full, try to put your horse as close to the horse next to it as possible without impeding that horse's space. Don't space your horses in such a way where nothing can fit between them except for Stablemates. Sometimes the judges will split these classes so they can give better attention to the horses.
- Be Mindful of Documentation Space - While the show might allow up to 8 1/2 x 11 inch documentation... some classes may be difficult to have that documentation on the table. In these cases if the class is not split, I will politely ask the judge about the documentation, stating something like "I usually show this horse with this documentation but there's no room... what would you like for me to do?" One judge asked me to place the horse on top of the documentation (lol!) one asked me to lay the horse down on the documentation. Another just read it before the class and thanked me for it. So, it's best to ask the judge rather than cramming it in there to hinder the space that other exhibitors need.
- Don't Crowd other Horses - When showing in regular sized classes, try to space the horses apart evenly. I also try to show my horses away from similar horses. So if there's a Barbaro at the front of the ring, I will show mine a few paces back so the horses don't blend together in the Judge's overall impression. If there is space for it, I try to space the horses about 3-5 inches from the ones in front of and behind it.
- Don't cover or move other people's Horses tags or Documentation - You'd think this is self explanatory but it is not. I've had my horse in the ring only to have someone move my documentation or lay a horse DIRECTLY OVER my documentation. I've also had people move my horses. VERY very very bad thing to do, guys. It is not only incredibly rude, but it's always against the show's rules. Covering documentation is considered "sabotage" and your peers opinion of you will lower. If you need space and there is NONE and the judge will not split the class.... ASK THEM where you should place your horse. Often times they will allow you to put them on an adjacent table. Asking the judge is a proactive take on a poor situation. Covering up or moving other people's entries will only lead to unsavory opinions of you.