1. Sound Horse Conference Louisville, KY November 2010 Judging Perspectives Dianne Little

2. Good Morning It is an honor to be on a panel with Chris Messick and Dr. Jim Heird. In many respects I am an unusual choice for this panel. I am the only female, the shortest one on the panel, the only one who has never lived in Tennessee and the only Canadian.

3. Personal Background Discovered the horse as an adult Discovered TWH by accident Fortunate that I was trained and influenced by ethical horseman who worked diligently to ensure there was no need for a HPA in Canada 1990 General Performance judges license through CEF (Equine Canada) Member of Board of AWHA, CRTWH, AEF, EQ 2003 FOSH Board – IJA Director of Judges

5. IJA a subset of FOSH. trains judges, licenses judges and maintains a Rule Book for multiple gaited breeds. IJA is not a breed organization, but an umbrella organization for many Gaited Breeds who are interested in sound horse and ethical judging.

6. History: IJA Program I am grateful to those who laid the foundation for FOSH and the IJA program under the leadership of Cherie Beattie. They compiled the first IJA Rule Book and laid the foundation for the future. This Foundation was and is based upon: principles of good horsemanship established and accepted sound treatment of horses an alternate show circuit for sound horses

7. History continued Clear guidelines as to what was acceptable and what was not. Specific not fuzzy language. Judges and exhibitors were empowered by the vision of a sound gaited horse. Exhibitors could trust they would be judged according to a written standard based upon philosophy, values and ethics. The founders embraced change to do the right thing for the horse, the exhibitor and the breeder.

8. Time Passes A Rule Book is a work in progress – as knowledge expands or societal values and attitudes shift, rules adapt to those changes. Decisions should be based upon what is good for the horse – emotionally, mentally and physically. Under IJA Rules, decisions are made with full awareness of the backlash and potential loss of shows and exhibitors. (eg 2 year olds under saddle)

9. IJA Rules and Judges IJA judges and apprentices are trained in a program based upon a philosophy that comprises knowledge, horsemanship, personal values and ethics. They are committed to the FOSH Sound Principles and willingly accept personal sacrifice to be an IJA judge I trust and respect them

10. IJA Rules and Judges They understand the IJA Rules are not just words that can be ignored when the whim strikes. They understand the difference between personal and professional opinion. The IJA Rules are the standard by which all competition must be judged. They believe in what they do – they walk the talk.

11. Perception of Judges I enjoyed the judging discussion group on Thursday evening and the presentations yesterday. The variety of perspectives was educational and stimulating. I found a common thread - regarding judges. I can not ignore any of the following statements:

12. Comments from Yesterday I don’t want to show I want to go Once something starts and it is rewarded, others follow the example Showing is a way to spend money and be frustrated We know the results before we enter the ring The more action, the better you place

13. Comments from Yesterday Rules, what rules? Professional opinion – personal opinion Exaggeration draws attention Stakes are not high at little shows Make heroes out of cheaters The judges are the problem Trust is eroded All judges are the same

14. Comments from Yesterday Life after showing Rehabilitating the show horse I was left with 3 questions - If there were no horse shows, would soring exist? Can horse shows survive? Am I part of an obsolete group – a horse show judge?

15. Much as the above statements are discouraging, I still believe there are “good” judges These statements lead directly to the topic

16. A Simple Topic – yes or no “All soring would end in 30 days if the judges would just quit rewarding the way of going of the sored horse.” This simple statement puts the blame on the judges and suggests the judges shoulder the responsibility for change.

17. Examine the Statement If one accepts this statement, one also accepts that the way of going of the “sored” horse is what is being rewarded by judges. One also accepts that judges are acting beyond the scope of their responsibility. Are there any judging standards that describe the way of going of a “sored” horse and indicate it should be rewarded?

18. Examine the Statement The statement puts the judges in the leadership position. If one believes that a single judge was responsible for the acceptance of way of going of the “sored” horse, then one can expect the judges to lead the way to further change. Should judges be in the leadership position?

19. I Believe Judges are Hired to maintain a level paying field for all give a trained professional opinion Respect exhibitors Respect rules accept responsibility for their actions judge according to the established rules follow a Code of Ethics understand Conflict of Interest issues

20. I Believe Judges are Hired to while blame is being placed on the shoulders of the judges, there are other shoulders that should share the responsibility and blame. The judges did not act in isolation. But a change in standards and accepted practice was the result.

21. When did the change in standards begin? The change in standards began when a judge or a group of judges or perhaps a group of people decided to find value and reward what they liked rather than what was the accepted standard. AND This action or actions was not recognized or challenged by the licensing body, show management, breeders or exhibitors.

22. Fact Few people read the Rules Fewer people understand the Rules Perception is reality What judges reward becomes the standard When extremes are rewarded, extremes become the norm

23. Back to Topic If a single judge stopped rewarding the way of going of a sored horse today, I do not believe anything would change except the judge would not be hired again. If 2 judges stopped rewarding the way of going of a sored horse today, I do not believe anything would change except …………………. If 30 judges stopped rewarding the way of going of a sored horse, it is possible that things would change.

24. I Believe Things Might Change If exhibitors refused to show horses under judges who rewarded the way of going of “sored” horses If breeders stopped paying breeding fees to “sored” winners If owners stopped hiring trainers who showed horses with a way of going that was “sored”

25. I Believe Things Might Change If Judges acted as professionals If Judges judged according to established standards – the Rule Book If the governing body held judges accountable for decisions If the extremes were not rewarded If winning at all costs was the exception rather than the rule If Respect and Trust returned to competition

26. Back to Topic – yes or no “All soring would end in 30 days if the judges would just quit rewarding the way of going of the sored horse.” NO – This is not a one judge decision. A collective decision is imperative to effect change. If the decision to change doesn’t come from the top, then it must come from those who are most affected. Leadership is necessary.

27. Who is to Blame? Governing Organization Breed organizations/ Breeders Director of Judges Exhibitors Trainers All share responsibility for not caring enough to work individually and collectively to make a difference or to share their anger and disgust.

28. Leadership It takes courage to take a stand. Licensing Bodies must analyze and address the root cause and not just the symptoms. (example leaky roof) Change is difficult – embrace it, do not fear it. Change must be substantive and not window dressing. But “first you gotta wanta”.

29. ACCOUNTABILITY We must all be held responsible for our actions. Not holding individuals accountable is admitting the tail wags the dog. If there is a hierarchy, then the ultimate responsibility if the one at the top – the CEO.

30. Conflict of Interest Conflict of Interest standards must be determined and applied. Example: If exhibitors believe judges reward their friends, the truth no longer matters. Perception becomes the reality.

31. Fundamentals of Judging Philosophy Ethics Values Training Decision Making Defending

32. Judging is grounded in philosophy, ethics, values and knowledge. Judging is both Art and Science combined into Action.

33. The Future All Associations and Judges must take a leadership roll and return the show arena to a level paying field –Where outstanding horses and performances are rewarded for following the rules of the competition. –Where trust is earned through respect for self and respect for others –Where responsibility for one’s actions is the accepted practice – it is the rule not the exception. The future of our horse rests in the balance of people like you and me trying to make a difference.

34. The Future What we do with our horses is a reflection of where we are in our lives. What we do as judges is a reflection or our philosophy, ethics and values.