Judging two horse draft

[BSharpRanch]

After watching the two horse draft last night, I am at a loss as to just what the judges are looking for. Just how much does each part of the individual work count towards the final placing?

Are they looking at circles on each side of the 8? Are they looking for straight backing? Are they looking at calm, smooth swings left and right?

Thank you for helping me on this. I am looking forward to watching the four horse draft tonight.

 

[Al B]

Hard to say. I drove my 4 one time and when the judge was walking around me looking like she was looking for something I asked what she was looking for. Her answer, No Idea I'm just supposed to inspect. I have rein guards on my wheelers bits in both four and tandem. One year all 5 judges asked my wife/header what they were. When she told them they asked if I had invented them. Hardly!!

They should be looking for evenness in stride, all working together. Backing should be straight with no resistance. The figure 8 should be two tangental circles not an infinity sign. They should stand quietly and start out together. They should be judged as a team. Thats my humble opinion. About what time will the four horse draft be. I would like to watch it.

 

[BSharpRanch]

It is in the evening classes that are scheduled to start at 6pm Tulsa time. Last night I got on the computer at 6 AZ time and they were just finishing the mare championship classes. Two horse draft didn't start till about 1:30 am AZ time! But tonight there is only about 10 classes before the draft class. Hopefully I will be home before it starts.

And what you said, is what I was thinking, however I was a bit confused last night, I mean this morning!

 

[BSharpRanch]

I think that we need to form a mini team assn. So that we can play and exhibit our passion and be judged by fellow team players that understand the finer points of driving multiple hitches of minis. Not to say that none of the judges do, however, I feel that the team driving does not get taken, by the officials, as seriously as the single driving does.

 

[Al B]

I'll have to start watching about 8. What is the class number.

I am going to drive my Tandem at AMHA Worlds. Its less trouble than pair or 4 because I can use my regular Jerald cart. I do have to take an extra horse though.

 

[BSharpRanch]

It is class 318. The first class evening session is 308.

Good luck at Worlds.

I so wanted to go, however my fun fund had to go to emergency fund. Yuck! There is always next year!

 

[Al B]

B (can I call you B) did you watch the draft four horse hitch. Beautiful rig, harness and horses.

 

[BSharpRanch]

I did watch. She did a wonderful job with the four. She showed in the two horse also, however her near horse kept half rearing when she stopped and when she asked for a back. I thought all looked good, but based on what I seen from my arm chair, I would have placed the two horse a bit differently.

oh, you can call me anything! But my name is Susan.

 

[Al B]

OK Susan that should be easy to remember. My spousal unit is Susan. I think they just need some milage and she needs a lesson but all in all they did very well. It takes a lot of work to do four and I just don't have the helpers to work with mine as much as I would like. May have to try AMHR next year. I seems they have some fun classes.

 

[BSharpRanch]

looks like it to me too, however there are no R shows here, close by, to show at.

There was a beautiful red hitch wagon in the two horse class that had even my Hubby drooling! Ah, someday. Until then I will keep driving my green and white one made by Ray Ross.

 

[Al B]

I know Ray and competed against him when he drove 6 with that wagon. I also have a hitch wagon that I haven't driven in years.

http://www.willowcrest.com/WCF-OLD/CARRIAGESALES.html

 

[BSharpRanch]

I inherited my Ross wagon from a friend who passed away a couple years ago. I had tried to buy it a few times, but I think he was hoping that his wife would want to show again. I was so tickled that he left it to me, it was really bitter sweet. It had been sitting in a carport for 16 years so needed a little refurbishing. I left the original colors in his honor (I'm not a green person!). I am having a lot of fun driving it, but really am looking forward to a wagon with springs and a brake..