1967-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1967 August Voice RS | Page 18

THE CELEBRATION SYSTEM . . . How They Tie the Classes !

Every year after the Celebration we are asked by many people to explain the judging system used at this show . It is obvious that some people do not fully undeistand this system and , how it works . We hope to give you the “ system ” that is used and show you how they figuied

each class after you see the cards .

Three judges are used for every class at the Celebiation . The key to figuring “ how ” they tie the horses is to remember that only two ( 2 ) Judge ’ s Cards are used m

each class . If ( and this is rare ) the two judges agree on the ten horses to be tied in order , then the Referee s Card is not used , IF , however , the two ( 2 ) Judge ’ s Cards do

not agree , then the Referee ’ s Card is used to break a tie .

This so-called “ weighted ” judge ’ s card system was first used at the Celebration in 1957 and has been used every

year since . Some people question this system , however , it has served well in the past years . Each class is judged

using the following procedure .

After the horses enter the ring , two judges and a referee are selected by a spin of the color wheel in . the middle of the ring . One judge is selected to “ call the class , i . e ., he calls for the gaits to be worked and the length of time each gait is worked for the entire class . A ringmaster works with each of the two judges and with the referee ( when needed ) who are positioned some distance apart around the ring .

Neither the judges nor the referee converse while working the class under saddle . The judges , but not the referee , prepare a list of horses which they desire to see called to the track for a workout following a careful

screening of all entries .

After sending these numbers to the announcers , via the ringmaster , the numbers are called out in numerical order from both lists . The two judges do not know until the numbers are announced what horses the other has selected .

These horses are generally placed on the grass and remaining numbers are worked again . If a horse was overlooked , the rider now has a chance to have his mount called to the center of the ring . The numbers being worked are excused from the ring and the remaining riders put their mounts back on the rail in the same direction as they entered the ring . During the workout each judge ties or selects 10 places . However , in some classes even a third smaller workout is called . The referee has to tie or place all the horses remaining in the ring . ( Notice on the sample card below the referee tied 16 places ).

The three cards are turned in to an experienced secretary in the center of the ring and the winners are com . piled very quickly .

These cards are posted outside the office on the Ce bration grounds the morning following each class a they are also printed in the Celebration issue of VOIC Over the years we have been asked by many “ how in i wortf do they figure the winner .” It took us some time nfrn , T > b-VVt , S re / Uy ? uite simPle when you know how 1 Blue Ribbon Magazine generally has an article “ Scori the Championship Stake ” which gives a complete tailed method for you to use . 1

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The judges last year were Jack Moorman , David Welsh and George Henson . Using the follow , ng card we win try to explain how to compare the winners in an average class . a x / tatrI JR WALKING HORSE STAKE

Judge Moorman

1 . 679 2 . 118 3 . 76 4 . 1376 5 . 680 6 . 1072 7 . 415 8 . 691 9 . 1228 10 . 690

Judge Welsh

Referee Henson

In this class 16 horses were in the workout .

Final

1- 1376 2 . 679 3- 118 4 . 76 5 . 680 6 . 415 7 . 1072

8 . 691 9 . 1228 10 . 690

Mr . George Henson was selected by the color wheel to referee the class , which meant he had to place all 16 horses in the order he desired . To figure any card you must mark out the numbers as you go down the list .

You must use the referee ’ s card in a process of elimination in cases where the judges do not agree . Be sure to mark all numbers on each card as they are placed . First places on the two judge ’ s cards were 679 and 1376 . Simply refer to the referee ’ s card to break this tie . Whichever one of these numbers falls first on his card will win the class . In this class 1376 is before 679 , therefore 1376 is 1st place winner . If , for example , neither are first on the referee ’ s card you would find which was first anywhere on his list and they would still be tied in that order . Now , mark off 1376 on all three cards . For second place you have 679 ( now at the top of Moorman ’ s card ) and 118 at the top of Welsh ’ s card . Check the referee ’ s card . 679 is above 118 . Right ? 679 is the second place winner . Mark 679 off all three cards . Third place is easy . 118 appears on both judges ’ card . The referee ’ s card is not needed for third place winner , so mark off 118 on all three cards . Just follow through until you have 10 places .

This is a good system because one can see from the above card alone why even the judges have no idea when they tie a class how the ribbons will be called . One can imagine the judges , along with the crowd waiting for the winners to be announced . In this class , just scanning the cards , the winner had two firsts and one fourth place . Second place winner has one first , one second , and one fifth . Third place winner had two seconds and one sixteenth . Fourth place winner had three thirds . Fifth place horse had one fourth , one fifth , and was not even tied on one card .

wnc could ask now could three men oe w ^ apart in one class ? One answer — if you listen to the

comments from the seats around you , do the spectators always agree ? Not at all — each ' has his own opinion-

What one person sees and likes in the show horse ma > not be what someone else likes . Another answer — "’ ha

one man sees a horse do on a turn or in front of him

( Continued on Page 20 )

Horse VOICE of the Tennessee Walking