As a Judge I have had the opportunity to sit on the sidelines of many shows. From development/training shows to national and international events. And even though you may have the best horse, trained the hardest and spent the most effort, your first impressions are important.

Just think of how you feel when you are sitting at a restaurant and the server places a plate of food in front of you. Your first impressions of that food is important. The plating, the color, the way the plate is turned correctly toward you. It all has a bearing on how you perceive that food. I remember my son commenting on a soup as looking, “like swamp water”. This was not a good start to his meal. (BTW it was delectible spinach chowder!)

It is kinda the same when judging at horse shows. The judge makes up their mind within the first few seconds of the round. From the ingate to the first fence could make or break your round.

What the judge is looking for
Take a look at these links to help you understand what the judge is looking for:

• Win more ribbons with these simple tips – short video clip outlining some easy to employ tips to get placed at your next horse show.
• 5 Things most judges won’t tell you! – But I will. Nothing is more fun, for me, than judging a great group of horses and riders.
• Horse Show ‘No-Nos” – Follow these top horse show “no-nos” to avoid getting in the bad books at your next horse show.
• Anatomy of a hunter round – ebook on Amazon.com

Do you make judgments on your first impressions? I invite you to email me to tell me how you overcame a ‘bad first impression’.