Tips
From The Judge
By Jennifer Stalfort
The judge at the recent show (August 12,
2000)at New Covert Farm was Celia Vornholt, Idlewylde Farm’s barn manager for
the past 20 years. From the perspective of the a.m. scribe, I was very impressed
with the help she gave young/novice riders and horses, some of whom were at
their first show, while scoring in a totally professional manner - which I think
you would agree is the whole idea of a schooling show. With her permission, I am
passing on a couple of suggestions which I thought useful, and hope you do too.
The salute (ladies): Transitions down from canter to trot: - Not so much a tip as an FYI: August 12 was a perfect day for a show, one of the best days of the summer.
Thanks to Donna Toole for letting MDA use her attractive facility this year
again and thanks from me to Mr. Toole for flying the lion rampant (very
correctly under the stars and stripes) - made my day.
Finally, my own personal tip for the summer - if you haven’t yet read Horse
Heaven by Jane Smiley - do. (Available at the library.)
Reins and whip in left hand, right hand drops down from waist, palm back.
This tip in her instructor’s capacity - you may rise for a couple of steps. In
Ms. Vornholt’s experience (and she rode medium trot rising at second and third
level on a mare with a sensitive back with no adverse comments from the judges),
this is not commented on or even noticed, due to the general emphasis on the
horse’s performance. I am sure there are many members who must feel like I do,
that this is a great idea for a transition that can often be less than smooth!
Ms. Vornholt wrote “stretch must be forward as well as down” so often, that
she said she wished she had a rubber stamp with that on it.