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What Makes A Good Judge?

By Peter Cameron

As the show season is in full swing, judges increasingly become the topics of conversation and scrutiny. The goal of every judge worth his salt is to be regarded as a 'good judge', both skillful and fair.

I recommend the following:

  • Has the ability to judge the horse- not the person showing the horse
  • Stands on his/her own convictions and judgement and beyond the influence of anyone
  • Judges the horse as he/she sees them in each class on that particular day, not as he/she saw them in other classes on previous days, or as other judges have judged them.
  • Judges only on what he/she sees in the ring during that class.
  • Reads and knows the Rule Book and uses it as his/her Bible in judging classes.
  • Does not leave himself/herself open for criticism, either in the show ring or outside, by fraternizing with exhibitors at a show at he/she is officiating.
  • Has the ability to use the ringmaster to help him/her as ringmaster and not to advise him/her. He/she refrains from discussing- or seeming to discuss- the horses or exhibitors with the ringmaster.
  • Is neat, dignified and business-like.
  • Shows his/her confidence and firmness in his/her ability and decisions.
  • Is a man/woman who looks at every horse in the ring and gives each one consideration.
  • Does not make embarassing disclosures of defects toward any horse he/she is judging and avoids embarassing situations both outside and inside the show ring.

Peter Cameron judged for 46 years, judging a record 885 shows throughout his career.

This article has appeared in several breed magazines. It has been re-published with permission from Peter Cameron. 

 

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