“WINNING”
"THE CORRECT WAY TO CALL A JUDGE”
Artist Orin Rector was
commissioned many years ago to paint a
picture of the perfect American Quarter Horse, that has since become the
standard for that industry. It gives each judge an easy template for which all
conformation in quarter horses can be judged. The disoriented and dazed judge
can rely on this fool proof standard. The Tennessee Walking Horse industry
doesn’t have this standard. Yes, we have a manual, a judges committee, a
director of judging, polygraph test, the Nashville Tennessean, and the threat
of NHSC investigations…but we have no standards and certainly no accountability
in our judging system. It is simply an opinion based judging system. This
system was a lot better when we could chase the judge to his car after the
show. The threat of an “ass whippin” will do
a lot more for our judging system than
S.H.O.W. crap, and the NHSC combined.
Calling a judge before a show isn’t wrong!
Let me repeat that …calling a judge before a show and getting
“permission” to show, asking his opinion on your entry, discussing the
possibilities of other entries isn’t wrong and certainly can be done within the
confines of honesty and integrity. Now, calling a judge and asking him to place
your horse first, regardless of his performance, for a price is called bribery
and is a federal offense.
Don’t we trust ourselves? Do we all feel that calling a judge before a
show is a crime, dishonest, or crooked? Are we honest enough with ourselves to
admit that we would like to know what a judge thinks of our horse before we
travel to the show. Remember our breed is with out a standard. Our list of
judges is a melting pot of varied opinion, and believe me most judges would
appreciate the call. Why show your horse that has all front end, average back
end, high headed, fast gaited in a running walk…in front of a judge that likes
a horse to do a old ear slappin', loose, country flat walk, with 75% full body motion….or
vice versa? If you do you will lose…quit loosing!!!!! Start winning!!!! Pick up the phone and find out where you
stand , what kind of horse the judge likes, and for god sake find out if there
is any reason why, if you horse performed perfect, that he would have any
reason, other than a better horse, that would keep him from placing you
properly in a class. How do you know that one of your trainers migrate workers
wasn’t caught “shaggin” the judge’s daughter at the last show, and a certain
animosity has developed. Any trainer worth his salt will be on the phone
finding out who to show, where to show, who to load on the truck and who to
leave in the stall. If he isn’t you probably own a good horse and are losing.
Remember, for $500 a month training bill you should have the “judge's hotline”
as a part of the package.
HERE IS A STEP BY STEP BLUE RIBBON
PROCESS
1. Have your horse ready to win! If you make a mistake it is your
fault.
2. Call the judge at home…not at work…or business…or the barn.
3. Ask him about the type of horse he likes.
4. Ask him or resolve any past traumas that might hamper his opinion at
show time.
5. Discuss the possibilities of others who might also attend the show.
6. Stand and cheer for your
horse in front of him. (as many of you have seen demonstrated before)
7. Listen for your number, and hope you win!!!
8. If you win call him on Sunday and thank him.
9. If you lose, chase him to his car immediately after the show and
find out why.
10. If you get a citation from the NHSC for
running to the judge's car, tell them you heard he had a flat and that's why you
had the tire tool in your hand.