Setting the standards for stewarding!

It has always been one of my favourite shows from all aspects which I have experienced as spectator, exhibitor and judge. In terms of style it may be overly ‘county’ and ‘posh’ for some, especially on the equestrian side but in my view it sets the standard for others to follow, particularly on the stewarding front characterised by men in grey suits, bowler hats and yellow striped ties or ladies wearing flat shoes, fitted jackets and straw hats with green ribbons.

They seem to be completely on top of their game, efficient and extremely polite – very much ‘old brigade’ and never allowing any doubt as to who is in charge. The engine appears to run very smoothly and from both a judges and exhibitors point of view, that does make a difference.

It is interesting that chief steward, Linda Brudenell, has brought in two well-known show personalities and respected stewards to assist in the principal rings, Nigel Oliver, who was absent this time, and Philip Judge the larger than life international hay merchant from the Cotswolds whose effervescent style differs in stark contrast to the ‘Yorkshire’ model.

Most importantly, they know about horse shows and their exhibitors and gain huge respect from the latter who meet them at many major venues throughout the summer.

As a result, they get the job done efficiently and well, but in Philip’s case in a very different manner. They also know their judges and for Wednesday’s ridden native classes we all found ourselves at the races trying to keep to the show’s tight schedule.

If time was number one enemy, the huge entry was surely two and show jumps punctuating the main ring were definitely number three.

With two show jumping classes staged each day in the main ring, there is no major course building as such which saves time, however show classes have to fit around and between them.

As disconcerting as this may be, as a judge there is no option but get on with it and somehow a result is produced despite the inconvenience.

The huge entry becomes a bigger problem when constricted by time and there isn’t much of that about in the Harrogate rings. This is when good stewarding comes into its own and full marks to the teams which made everything flow and producing results from the marking system in record time.

Personally, it came as a timely reminder that an enormous amount of concentration goes into the allocation of marks and hard as I tried, I still have my doubts if I got them exactly right every time.

Societies have much to answer when it comes to using a marks system for judging and I’m sure to return to this more fully once again in a future column.

With a like-minded co-judge, there were no surprises in our final line-ups at the Great Yorkshire, however there were frustrations along the way such as having to tolerate large jockeys on small ponies – currently my pet hate and an issue yet to be addressed..

With the champion Welsh Section A taking this year’s Cuddy qualifier at the Great Yorkshire, it brings the breed’s tally qualified for this year’s final to eight, an unprecedented number for any breed or section in the championship’s history.

Among the other contenders, one which caught my eye was the champion Shetland pony which had more scope than many and was a good free mover, an essential for any potential ridden pony: with the absence of seaweed creels and coal tubs, this surely has to be this breed’s modern purpose.

The continuing rise in popularity of the miniature Shetland pony begs this question as it seemingly has no purpose other than pet value. Nevertheless, I suppose that it represents good value for an equine if it’s a pony on a budget that you’re looking for and ideal for that job if nothing else.

I deny all knowledge of personal psychic powers, however I do find myself amazed when the very subject of bits and bitting has come to the fore only weeks after I raised the issue in this column last month.

Ironically, it has moved to the smallest of our ponies, the leading rein, to the largest and most recent to enter the ridden section, the Clydesdale.

I have it on good authority that the Clydesdale Horse social media circles have been buzzing following the ridden Clydesdale class at the Royal Highland in which the top two horses were reputedly ridden in driving bits which, on the surface, is contrary to the rules laid down by the Horse of the Year Show and as a consequence they should be disqualified.

Generally, HOYS rules will always supersede other rules (in this case the RHASS) where a qualifier is involved and in this instance the pertinent HOYS rule in turn refers to the rules of the British Ridden Heavy Horse Society which clearly states: “TURNOUT FOR HORSES: Plain or workmanlike English bridle with plain noseband and browband with a snaffle or traditional double/pelham riding bit. No bitless bridles or Liverpool bits.”

I didn’t witness the class, however looking through the online proofs of the commercial photographer who covered the Ridden Clydesdale class at The Highland, it is more than obvious that as many as six exhibitors infringed the above rule in one way or other and should have met the consequences.

There are not only driving bits, including Liverpools, but also flash nosebands (including one used in conjunction with a pelham!) and fancy nosebands fit for a cart and not a riding class.

With the disqualification of one exhibitor in the class for the use of an over-long showing cane, one can only assume that the judges were aware of all the rules including bits and nosebands but decided to allow them on the day.

It certainly wouldn’t have looked good if half a dozen horses had been turned out of the ring when it is scheduled as a main ring spectacle.

The case against the placed horses in this class would have to be considered individually by the appropriate ruling authority, however it would be less messy if the issue was settled quickly and without having to appear before Grandstand Media, the HOYS organisers.

It is important that any controversy and, moreover, adverse publicity, doesn’t impact against future HOYS qualifications at the Royal Highland Show, so the sooner it’s sorted the better.

It goes without saying that if there has been an infringement of the rules, then it will have to be rectified and no doubt the Royal Highland administrators will sort things out; however without an objection, perhaps they have no mandate. The schedule certainly gave fair warning to exhibitors about the rules in play.

Several issues arise including the role of the Clydesdale Horse Society, which arguably has a duty of care, particularly since this is the nominated breed qualifier for HOYS.

As a minimum, some sort of advisory leaflet for exhibitors in this class would be appropriate. There are also the roles of the judges, whose obligation it is to operate the rules on the day, and the exhibitors, who are obliged to abide by them.

For a relatively new classification like ridden heavy horses, which has quickly risen to HOYS status, it is essential that if judges and exhibitors want to play with the big boys they have to know the rules of the game.

Last but not least, what about the social media activists? Have any of them put pen to paper and placed their money on the table to lodge an official complaint, or is this yet again the gossip of ghostly figures hiding in the shadows of the Internet?

While malice may well motivate this sad group of society, I am confident that nothing more than amateur enthusiasm tinged with ignorance underpins this case.