The Plaid Horse polled judges to compile memories and scores of exceptional trips they have watched and judged. The judges come from a variety of backgrounds, levels of experience, and disciplines. Their answers are all unique, reflect their different personal opinions, and offer exclusive insight to their perspective.
The question posed is: What is the highest score you have given as a judge, and what do you remember about the round that made it so extraordinary?”
Here are their answers:
“I judged Brian Feigus on Nessaja in a derby at HITS last year. It was one of the most exciting and memorable rounds I have ever judged. He came in the second round, and picked up a gallop and never looked back. I literally put down my clipboard and just watched. The horse just fired over every jump. It was a brilliant performance. The horse was a new face in the derby ring, so I think that added to the excitement of the round.” -Lyman T. Whitehead
Read more from Lyman and listen to him on the Plaidcast here.
“Recently, I was judging a derby at Gold Coast Labor Day, and the winner was no doubt the winner from the moment the rider picked up the canter. The pair set the tone with a forward pace in the opening circle that never changed throughout the round. I didn’t touch my scorecard until the end, as I simply enjoyed watching this pair negotiate the course, and eagerly hoped that I could reward their pace, brilliance, and derby spirit. Most often, scores are simply numbers that we give as judges to create the placing order of the performances, and are all relative to that first horse and rider combination that we judge and score. In this case, I was able to give this pair two scores in the low 90s for their exemplary derby performance.” -Augusta Levendorf, PhD
USEF “r” Hunter & Hunter Seat Equitation Licensed Official
“Kenny Krome and I were judging Junior Hunters at the Hampton Classic Horse Show when Tori Colvin and Way Cool came into the ring and laid one down. It was one of the most beautiful trips I have ever seen. Kenny and I discussed the score and said it has to be a 98 or 100–it would be too cheap to give her a 99. We settled on a 98, but I told Kenny that was being hard on her.” -Patrick Rodes
“Years ago, at the Hampton Classic, I once gave a 92 to In Disguise, ridden by Shachine Belle, and owned by JT farm (Jimmy and Ellen Toon). The horse jumped beautifully classic, high and round, all the way around the course. His pace was forward, but balanced; as it had to be on the grassy, uneven, and hilly terrain of the ring. There were many nice horses in that class, but he was the best . In hindsight, I felt the score could have been higher, but I pinned it not wanting to lose him as the winner. And of course, Shachine rode him like the master she is.” –Todd Karn
“I once gave a score of 19 to a Fjord pony that was doing a Beginner Novice Test. This little guy was totally workman-like on the bit; well balanced, attentive to his riders aids, and steady as a rock. He truly made no mistakes throughout the test. He was just like a little machine. It was fun to watch him and his young rider just come in and get the job done! I got goosebumps” -Cindy Deporter
“It was for Crystal Blue and Lainie Wimberly in Wellington this past year. I recall scoring this spectacular green hunter round with a 93. She impressed me from the moment she entered the ring with her beautiful appearance and expression. I don’t think I wrote anything on my card during her round. She gave 110% at every fence, as well as landed every lead.” -Robin Brown
Listen to Robin on the Plaidcast here.
