Burghley LODDON Young Event Horse - 2008 judges' guidelines

The aim of these classes is to encourage trainers and breeders to produce and present the correct type of young horse which is considered to be the best material to make a world class three day event horse.

Method of Judging:
The Judges should bear in mind that they are looking for potential for the future. Unfortunately, all too often, the horse with the most potential may not be the one which is presented in the best manner. We are looking for an athletic, loose moving horse with a promising jumping technique who with correct training will develop physically and mentally into a strong three day eventer.

In the dressage phase, unlike a normal dressage test, we are not assessing the state of training and marks are not given for individual movements. Therefore the judges may watch from wherever he will get the best view. Three correct, elastic and regular gaits through a swinging back are what we are seeking. The Judge will have to weigh up the influence of the rider; a good rider may present a well balanced, smooth test from perhaps a moderate, unscopey horse while a novice rider may even hinder a good horse from showing its true worth. It is the horse's, and not the rider's real potential we are looking for. Trainability should also be taken into account.

In the jumping phase we are looking for a bold athletic horse with good technique and a horse with these qualities, should not necessarily be penalised for knocking down one fence (or a four year old having one refusal), providing he learns from his mistake. Four year olds may find it easier to jump out of trot.

The horse's conformation and movement should enable him to withstand the demands of the sport in terms of soundness, speed and stamina. Lack of quality and other defects which may prevent him being fast enough, should be penalised against him, even though he may make a nice dressage or show jumping horse. However, a lack of size should not be held against him. Equally one should not allow a possible prejudice against mares to affect any judgement. It is essential to encourage producers to give mares more of a chance if we are to establish a better breeding policy using proven mares.

In the suitability and potential section only the top ten horses are required to come forward. They will be judged for star quality and potential to make the ULTIMATE WORLD CLASS THREE DAY EVENT HORSE. These horses will be required to gallop. Ten marks will be awarded to the horse placed first, 9 to the second, 8 to the third etc., down to 1 the tenth horse. These marks will then be added to those from the previous 3 sections to find the winner.

Use of Marks:
Careful thought must be given as to how the marks are used. In order to have enough of a gap between the indifferent and good horses, it is necessary to use the full range of marks (see below).

In conclusion we could sum up by asking the question "which horse would I buy to make the best top class three day eventer?" We are not buying the rider .... only the horse.

Judging