PDA

View Full Version : FOSH Judges Clinic


Pasogirlz
01-10-2006, 08:43 PM
Naturally Gaited Judging Clinic and Show

On March 3-5, 2006, Amik Run Equestrian Center, Morriston, Florida, will be hosting the 2006 Independent Judges Association (IJA) clinic and the Gaited Spring Spectacular Horse Show. The IJA was founded in 1998 as a subset of Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) to provide a source of trained and qualified pleasure horse judges to preside at open, saddle club, and gaited breed shows.

The clinic is open to all current IJA judges, those interested in becoming apprentices to pursue their IJA license, show managers interested in attracting naturally gaited horses to their events, and any indivi dual that wants to audit the clinic just to learn more about naturally gaited horses. The apprentice judges will work with licensed IJA judges in both a classroom and show environment. The apprentice judges, as well as show managers and auditors, will receive training on recognizing correct and natural gaits, the different divisions for gaited horses, and other principles on the training and exhibition of naturally gaited horses. In addition, show managers will receive guidance on how to attract naturally gaited horses to their shows. So the clinic will offer something for everyone, whether it be that someone wants to become a judge, attract naturally gaited horses to their shows, or just learn more about naturally gaited horses, whether it be for showing and/or trail riding.

On March 4, 2006, and as part of the clinic, the Gaited Spring Spectacular Horse show will be held at Amik Run Equestrian Center. This show is open to all gaited breeds will offer Versatility, Halter, Trail and Country Pleasure, English, Western and other classes. The show will serve as a schooling show for both the judges and exhibitors. The primary focus of this schooling show will be on educating both exhibitors and judges/apprentices. For judges/apprentices, it will provide them with the opportunity to supplement the classroom knowledge with practical experience. For exhibitors, it will give them the opportunity to compete in a show setting with more flexible and permissible rules than a formal sanctioned horse show. The added advantage of this schooling show format will be that the presiding judge will share with the exhibitors his or her reasons for placing or “tying” a class and provide them with one on one feedback on how they can improve their riding.

The hallmark of the IJA is integrity. Judges must meet the personal and professional standards outlined in the IJA rule book. Laurie Wolf, who obtained her IJA license during 2005 stated, “One of the best things about the IJA is the full commitment to eliminating as much as possible the subjectivity too often found in horse shows and replacing it with an objective, fair, and measurable standard common to all judges that can be depended upon by exhibitors, spectators and show management.” Wolf further mentioned that “it is an exciting time to be part of FOSH and IJA because the demand for and the pool of exhibitors seeking shows offering classes for naturally gaited and sound horses, particularly in Florida, is skyrocketing. This is evidenced by the fact that already, Amik Run Equestrian Center, Dixie Plantation Equestrian Events, the North Florida Arabian Club, and the Florida Foxtrotter Association have had and/or will have their shows FOSH sanctioned and be using IJA judges. If you are interested in attending the IJA clinic as a judge, apprentice, show manager, or auditor, please contact the Director of Judges at IJA@friendsofsoundhorses.org. If you are interested in attending the Gaited Spring Spectacular Show as an exhibitor or vendor, please contact Jim Russell at Amikrunfl@aol.com. For more information on the IJA program, please visit the FOSH website at www.friendsofsoundhorses.org

Pasogirlz
01-10-2006, 09:38 PM
They also asked me to mention, that any Paso judge that would like to give a presentation on the Paso Fino gaits and conformation during the judging clinic, please let me know, or contact the ppl in the abouve post.

LynnG
01-10-2006, 10:10 PM
The past president of FOSH is also a new applicant PFHA judge. I judged with him at the 2005 Rocky Mountain International Show, and enjoyed comparing our placements after tying the classes.

There is also a growth of having all-breed natural gaited horse shows around the country as more and more aging midddle aged and senior folks switch to smooth riding gaited horses...

Sounds like it will be a good clinic!

stella
01-10-2006, 10:22 PM
Sounds like a great trend to me! Sounds worth it, just to go watch that show! Now, seeing so many different styles of natural gait, all in one place, seems not only entertaining due to the variety, but also very educational.
Guess I'd better find out where Morriston is!

SandyMM
01-11-2006, 12:16 AM
The past president of FOSH is also a new applicant PFHA judge. I judged with him at the 2005 Rocky Mountain International Show, and enjoyed comparing our placements after tying the classes.
Just curious - what kind of turn-out - people and horse numbers - did the Rockies have at that show?
There is also a growth of having all-breed natural gaited horse shows around the country as more and more aging midddle aged and senior folks switch to smooth riding gaited horses...
Where? How would we find any of these?

LynnG
01-11-2006, 01:24 AM
Sandy...since the RMHA Intl show is held at the KY Horse Park, it has a better then most chance to attract some other horse folks. The Mountain horse folks have 3-5 MT horse associations with 3 main ones...Rocky MT Horse, United MT Horse, KY MT Saddle Horse...they each have a INTL or NATL Show...many exhibitors show in all 3...big shows ...one is in Aug (UMH), one in sept (RMHA) and in Oct (KMSHA).

for the 2005 RMHA Show, not all the big barns "too animated/trainer enhanced" horses showed up; it was about judging adhering to the breed standard. That type of higher stepping movement is against the RMHA breed standard and rules, but in the KMSHA and UMH, there is a place for these higher-stepping horses more-so with a PARK division. RMHA does not have a Park division. They give out ten placements per class. In 2001, they had over 500 horses at the INTL Show. It was a good turnout of horses, the only classes I saw less entries in than usual were the youth classes.

I checked the different association websites www.rmhorse.com, www.kmsha.com, and www.unitedmountainhorse.org, and don't see updated calendar of events yet for 2006. you can check the FOSh site too. I judge with all 3 associations, so keep up with their activities to know what is happening in regards to the shows... all have member magazines if you're interested in knowing more. :rearing
there is all gaited natural breed shows in the NE and NW... I know.

CarolU
01-11-2006, 01:51 AM
FOSH is a wonderful organization and I can't say enough good about them. They are willing to try any class people want (what a NOVEL idea...huh?). They've had Gaited Dressage, Carrot Stick Trail, and all our Paso Fino classes we want. AND they alternate their National show every year, one year East the next year West. It really is making it easy to participate and HAVE FUN!!!

I've never worked with such a nice group - and everyone cares about their horses!

I think you'd love to be judge there Stella (and Lynn) and others?? It's really taking off and becoming popular.