HUNTER BREEDING JUDGES CLINIC

Transcription

1 TRICIA BOOKER/USHJA ARCHIVES ALINA BRAZZIL/USHJA ARCHIVES HUNTER BREEDING JUDGES CLINIC USHJA.org Provided by, and property of the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.

2 Contents Hunter Breeding PowerPoint...3 Judging Symbols...30 Parts of the Horse...31 USEF Lameness Guidelines for Judges...32 Unsoundness and Blemishes...34 Conformation Why is it important?...35 Conformation Comparisons...36 AHA Sport Horse in Hand...37 Hunter Breeding Score Card USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

3 Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic WHAT MAKES A GOOD JUDGE? USEF Rules Review the rule book Rules can intimidate Class specifications Experience riding and showing Knowledge USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 3

4 Discipline Ability to objectively judge what is presented Professional behavior Ability to keep a card Establish a system Bookkeeping Integrity Ethics perception is reality Treat each exhibitor fairly You are being asked, and paid, to give your honest opinion so leave your friendships and preconceived ideas about the horses at the gate. 4 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

5 Morals and Values Judging is subjective Judging is not self serving Keep in mind that being asked to judge your peers is one of the highest honors, and one of the biggest responsibilities Practice judging Learn from a Mentor Experience Enthusiasm Enthusiasm is a reflection of your personality Be positive and have an interest in doing the best job possible Pay attention to all exhibitors Happy to be involved at the competition USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 5

6 What is at stake? We have a lot at stake with professionals, amateurs, and officials alike due to the amount of money, the increase in the equine population, and the media coverage we are now receiving. In the end We are duty bound to the competitor not by fees or by contracts but by a need to continually strive to improve our world through action great and small. JUDGING HUNTER BREEDING 6 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

7 Classes judged on: Conformation Way of moving Quality Substance Soundness Suitability to become a hunter And in the case of sire and dams, or prospective sires and dams, the apparent ability to produce hunters Gaits Horses/ponies are to be judged for conformation before being walked and/or trotted Broodmares and weanlings are to walk Yearlings, two year olds, and three year olds are to walk and trot Placing the Class One judge section entries should be lined up in the order of preference before the ribbons are pinned. Two judge section (with 2 sets of points) entries are not lined up until both judges have turned in their cards. Judge # 1 s entries line up in order of preference before awarding ribbons. After those have been pinned, Judge #2 s entries line up in order of preference before awarding ribbons USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 7

8 Two Divisions Competition may not offer more than 2 hunter breeding divisions to count for HOTY awards for any one competition Each division must be judged by a different judge Judge from one section may not confer with judge from the other section until the judging is completed Each division must be held separately. Judges will only be in the ring when judging their division Tack Foals in Breeding classes may wear leather halters All yearlings and older must be shown in a bridle Ponies may be shown in a bridle or leather halter Only a snaffle or straight bar bit may be used Properly fitted in hand leather lead and chain, such as a new market or V shank type, or in hand leather lead may be substituted for reins Chain should be short enough to prevent horse from getting it in its mouth Should never be placed over the nose or tightly under the chin Soundness and Blemishes Horses that are not sound are ineligible for an award Possible inheritable conformational defects are to be considered in the case of sires and dams (or prospective) 8 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

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11 Splint Inflammation of the splint bone causing abnormal bone growth Thoroughpin Slight swelling of the tendon sheath along the hock joint Conformation photo analysis, but first let s watch a video USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 11

12 Yearling Yearling Yearling 12 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

13 Yearling Yearling Yearling USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 13

14 Two Year Old Two Year Old Three Year Old 14 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

15 Three Year Old USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 15

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17 Stallion Stallion Stallion USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 17

18 Pony Pony Pony 18 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

19 Arabian Sport Horses Must be judged by Hunter Breeding, Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, or Dressage Sport Horse Breeding judges Purpose To evaluate and encourage the breeding of Arabian and Half Arab/Anglo Arab horses suitable for: Dressage Working Hunter Eventing Jumper Carriage Pleasure Driving Combined Driving Racing Competitive Trail Endurance Form to function will be emphasized Two Types of Sport Horses Classes may be divided into Dressage type & Hunter type: Dressage type horses carry higher set on neck than Hunter type with sufficient length and flexion of the poll. Movement should be free, elastic, active and regular with good push from behind without tension and with a tendency toward uphill balance Hunter type horses carry a more level frame than Dressage type, yet must display a natural looking carriage. Movement should have good ground cover and tend to be long and low with good push from behind, free of tension and showing good balance Judges must not discriminate one type over the other USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 19

20 Arabian Sport Horse In Hand Conformation is to be evaluated in terms of potential trainability, potential performance and predisposition to soundness Form to function is to be emphasized Blemishes are not to count unless resulting from conformation faults Type You will see a variety of horses, some of which are suitable for disciplines other than hunter Remember you are to judge Arabian Sport Horses, not specifically hunter horses Very important that purebreds reflect good breed type Resources available at under Competitions/Judges and Stewards/Related Forms. Appointments Bridles mandatory on horses 3 years and older (dressage or hunter type snaffle) 2 year olds may be shown in bridle or halter Horses under 2 must be shown in plain leather stable halter Competitors with non conforming appointments will be eliminated 20 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

21 Attire Conservative casual attire recommended May wear Dressage or Hunter attire Handler may carry one whip, maximum length 6 including lash and without attachments (bags, ribbons, etc.) AHA Score Sheet The AHA Individual Score Sheet shall be used. Each judge will be assigned a scribe Decimals may be used Scores, with no further showing allowed, determine champions and reserve USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 21

22 Judging Specifications In Hand Classes divided as: Movement 40% (walk 20%, trot 20%) Conformation 40% Expression, Manners, Willingness 10% Quality, Balance and Harmony, Suitability as a Sport Horse 10% Transmissible weaknesses or predisposition to unsoundness shall be penalized commensurate with severity Triangle Horses to be shown individually on the triangle Conformation judging may take place before or after performance on the triangle. The Triangle 22 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

23 Gaits and Movement Innate quality movement is a priority Correct gaits which contribute to ease in training and soundness are most important All gaits should be pure in rhythm Should be without tension or resistance Purity and quality are judged mainly in profile Correctness judged mainly while horse is coming and going Gaits The walk is to be regular and unconstrained The trot is free, active and regular Steps should be balanced and elastic Horse should demonstrate a supple back and well engaged hindquarters Arabian Gelding USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 23

24 Arabian Gelding Arabian Gelding Arabian Mare 24 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

25 Arabian Mare Arabian Mare American Pharoah Through the Years USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 25

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27 May 2013 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 27

28 August 2013 Taylor Made Video 28 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

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30 Judging Symbols 30 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

31 Parts of a Horse FOREHEAD POLL FACE BRIDGE OF FACE NOSTRIL MUZZL UPPER LIP LOWER LIP CHIN THROAT LATCH POINT OF SHOULDER CHEST SHOULDER FOREARM KNEE HOOF CREST WITHERS LOIN BACK ELBOW ABDOMEN CANNON PASTERN PARTS OF THE HORSE POINT OF HIP CROUP THIGH BUTTOCK FLANK STIFLE GASKIN HOCK FETLOCK CORONET USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 31

32 USEF Lameness Guidelines for Judges USEF LAMENESS GUIDELINES FOR JUDGES The intended purpose of this outline is to supply some relatively simple guidelines which can aid in the determination of lameness. The confirmation and diagnosis of any lameness, including determination of the lame leg or legs, should be relegated to the attending veterinarian. Obvious lameness is consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances and is characterized by: A marked head nod or shortened stride An observable hip hike A combination of a marked head nod, shortened stride and hip hike Minimal weight-bearing in motion or at rest Attitude, willingness to go forward and expression can be important indicators of soundness and comfort. Does head bob up or down? YES: Head goes up when lame FRONT leg hits the ground in an effort to shift weight off painful limb. Head goes forward and down when painful HIND limb is moving forward or bearing weight in an effort to shift the weight forward. NO Horse is lame to a similar degree in both front legs, so levering weight to one side or the other is of no advantage. Horse is short-strided and may be bilaterally lame in front or behind. Horse is sound in front. Does one hip hike higher than the other? YES Horse is trying to limit stress on lame hind leg either during swinging or weight bearing phase of gait. NO Horse is lame to a similar degree in both hind legs, so levering weight to one side or the other is of no advantage. Horse is short-strided and may be bilaterally lame behind. Horse is sound. Is one leg taking a visibly shorter stride than the others? YES Horse is painful in the affected leg during the swinging portion of the stride. Horse is painful during weight-bearing in the opposite leg (especially behind) and is anxious to alleviate that weight-bearing. Horse is reluctant to bear weight on posterior portion of affected leg. NO Horse is sound. 32 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

33 USEF Lameness Guidelines for Judges The American Association of Equine Practitioner s Definition and Classification of Lameness* Definition: Lameness is a deviation from the normal gait or posture due to pain or mechanical dysfunction. Classification: 1. Grade 1: Difficult to observe; not consistently apparent regardless of circumstances (i.e., weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.). 2. Grade 2: Difficult to observe at a walk or trotting a straight line; consistently apparent under certain circumstances (i.e., weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.). 3. Grade 3: Consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances. 4. Grade 4: Obvious lameness; marked nodding; hitching or shortened stride. 5. Grade 5: Minimal weight bearing in motion and/or rest; inability to move. *The above definition has been reprinted with the permission of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and appears in their Guide to Veterinary Service for Horse Shows handbook. It is presented to you for contemplation as you perform your adjudicating duties according to Rules GR in the Federation Rule Book. USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 33

34 Blemishes and Unsoundness Blemishes and Unsoundness BLEMISHES: 1. Windpuff: distention or overfilling of the fluid sacs located around the pastern or fetlock joint. 2. Capped Elbow: (or shoe boil) soft flabby swelling caused by an irritation to the elbow. 3. Capped Hock: enlargement at the point of the hock, often due to bumping or kicking an object. 4. Splints: inflammation of the split bones causing abnormal bone growth considered more serious if located higher by knee joint. 5. Pin firing: A pattern of dots between the knee and the fetlock from hot firing to alleviate swelling usually done in the race horse industry. UNSOUNDESSES 6. Sidebone: cartilages located along the sides of the foot, above the coronary band toward the bulbs of the heels abnormally ossify or change into bone. 7. Quarter Crack: a split in the hoof wall along the side of the hoof. Cracks in the hoof wall can occur all along with the hoof, from toe to the heel. 8. Bowed Tendon: a strain or tear of the flexor tendon(s) that travel along the back of the cannon bone. 9. Bog Spavin; overfilling of the joint capsule resulting in swelling on the front surface of the hock joint. 10. Bone Spavin: abnormal growth on the inside upper end of the hind cannon bone and bones of the hock. 11. Curb: enlargement of the plantar ligament on the rear of the leg just below the hock, caused by sickle hocked conformation. 12. Thoroughpin: filling in the web of the hock. 13. Ring Bone: abnormal growth on the pastern bones, often associated with short upright pasterns 14. Epithacetis: thickening in the joints due to abnormal growth plate development in young horses. 34 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

35 Conformation - Why it is important? Conformation Why is it important? 1) Evaluate soundness for longevity and trouble-free career 2) Evaluate athletic ability and best career path 3) Evaluate trainability Have a System & Be Consistent: 1) Overall balance and first impression 2) HEAD- eye, muzzle, mouth, throatlatch, character, gender 3) NECK- length, shape, and way it ties in to shoulder 4) SHOULDER- length, slope, proportion to humorous 5) FOREARM- forearm length, knee size, cannon bone-fetlock ratio 6) PASTERN- length and slope 7) HOOF- size, shape, length, slope, heel height, matches others? 8) WITHERS- top line, length and strength of back, loin, coupling, and barrel 9) HINDQUARTERS- length and slope of croup- equilateral triangle 10) Length from point of hip to hocks, stifle to hocks 11) Hind leg- correctness of how it sits under body- rear gaskin, hocks, cannon 12) Fetlock, pasterns, feet 13) Front view of legs, chest, and amount of bone 14) Hind view of legs, hip span and level, correctness of lines 15) Movement- side and front and rear, correctness and quality of stride DEVIATIONS: small eye thick throat latch short neck straight shoulder long cannons straight, short pasterns misshaped or mismatched hooves pigeon toed splay footed bench kneed back at the knee over at the knee tied in below the knee mutton withers low, long back roach back short, weak hindquarters small knees, hocks, fetlocks sickle hocked post legged cow-hocked UNSOUNDNESS (serious problem): -Ringbone -Spavins -Bowed tendons BLEMISHES (unsightly but not performance related): -Scars -Wind puffs -Splints -Capped hocks DEPENDS (on severity): -Curbs -Quarter cracks HEART & DESIRE: Conformation is important to assess athletic ability and soundness longevity. However, heart and desire of an individual ultimately determines the greatness of a horse, and good management and training is the key to shaping their career to the ultimate height! USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic Compiled by Julie Winkel 35

36 Conformation Comparisons Conformation Comparisons - The Conformation Handbook* 1. A well-proportioned horse is square and fits in a box. 2. A balanced horse is equally divided throughout his body: 1/3 shoulder area, 1/3 barrel, 1/3 hindquarter. 3. NECK-should be 1/3 horse s total length, 1-1/2x length of head, same length as front legs. 4. BACK-should be 1/3 of body length. 5. TOPLINE- should be shorter than the underline. 6. CROUP- should be same height as withers. 7. HINDQUARTER-should display an equilateral triangle: point of hip to point of buttocks, point of buttocks to point of stifle, and point of stifle to point of hip. 8. Horse s elbow should be directly under front of withers. 9. Point of hip should be directly over the stifle. 10. STIFLE should be same height as elbow (front leg). 11. Distance from the point of the stifle to the point of the hock should be the same as from the hock to the ground. 12. Height of hock should be even with chestnut on front leg. 13. Point of hock should be directly under point of buttocks. 14. A well-balanced horse is square; a) Distance from the point of shoulder to the buttocks is equal to the height of horse (from top of withers to ground). b) Depth of body (top of withers to underline)is equal distance as the underline to fetlock joint. c) The height of the withers equals the height of the croup. 36 USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic

37 AHA Sport Horse in Hand *IAHA* *0804* AHA 0804 (Rev. 5/05) EXHIBITOR COPY AHA SM Sport Horse In-Hand Individual Score Sheet Please print clearly. Competition Date Class # Class Name Judge NO. SPECIFICATIONS POINTS X SCORE COMMENTS Quality and correctness of frame, form to function, angulation and formation of legs and joints Head & Neck 10 Shoulder & Sdl-Postn 10 Back, Loin & Hindqtr 10 Walk: Four even beats; Tracking and reach; Covering ground with marching quality Trot: Two even beats; Natural engagement and impulsion from hindquarters; Power Legs & Feet 10 Subtotal Walk 10 X 2 Trot 10 X 2 Both: Straight and even strides; Tracking; Articulation of joints; Freedom of shoulder and haunches; Balance; Elasticity; Swinging Back Subtotal Alert, expressive and well-mannered; Shows willingness in response to handler Expressn Manners, Wllngness 10 Subtotal Overall breed characteristics, Quality, Balance and Harmony, Suitability as a Sport Horse Overall Bal & Har, Suitability 10 Subtotal DECIMALS MAY BE USED (100 Points Possible) TOTAL POINTS Further Remarks: Judge s Signature USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic 37

38 Hunter Breeding Score Card Horse Identification: Competition: RATING: Hunter Breeding Conformation Score Card 5 = Outstanding 4 = Good 3 = Average 2 = Below Average 1 = Weak General Characteristics Score Balance Size Type/Quality Bone & Structure Development Physical Condition Apparent Soundness Comments Head and Neck Score Comments Eyes Ears Nose Mouth Neck Throatlatch Expression Attachment Body Score Comments Withers Back Loin Barrel Flank Forelimb Score Comments Shoulder Forearm Knee Cannon/Tendon Fetlock Pastern Hoof Limb Alignment Hindlimb Score Comments Croup/Hip Stifle Gaskin Hock Cannon/Tendon Fetlock Pastern Hoof Limb Alignment Movement Presentation Score Comments Summary: Final Score: LOC/ USHJA Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic