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In the Hot Seat – The BSHA Judges Assessment day 19th October 2009
The BSHA annually hold an assessment day for those people aspiring to join its’ judges panel, this is by necessity a fairy rigorous process looking at riding ability, in depth knowledge of conformation and soundness and of course the all important knowledge of type. In addition the BSHA expects judges to have a sound knowledge of its’ rules and regulations and the strength of character and integrity to represent the Association with creditability.
Sue Rawding has organised the Assessment Day, on behalf of the Board, for the last few years and this year she again assembled a very strong list of candidates and a strong list of Assessors who included Jenny Loriston Clarke MBE who is one of our most eminent judges. Jennie won individual bronze at the 1978 World Equestrian Games and competed in five Olympics. Jennie has run Catherston Stud since the late 1960s, is a FEI international judge and was the chef d’equipe for the British young rider dressage team for six years. Horses for both ride and conformation assessment were again most generously provided by Carol Bardo and Jayne Webber and Katie Jerram and her team. The horses provided covered a range of types and temperaments which is always so important to assess the knowledge and abilities of potential judges.
The riding assessment took place in the outdoor Addington International arena with conformation – thankfully as it turned out to be a cold damp day – inside. The final part of the assessment – and the one several candidates seem to find the hardest was the individual interview with members of the Board and other judges.
In all 21 candidates presented themselves for assessment, some for the full panel, some for conformation panel only and some came for upgrading from the present ride only panel. It was refreshing and reassuring to see so many people of all ages forward and we feel sure that the Association is fortunate to have several highly competent people forward for next years’ panel. We had sisters who traveled down from Edinburgh, some candidates came with their parents and others came with their children and as Richard Ramsey noted ‘nobody was bad’ - one candidate confided in Jo Clutton that ‘it was a bit like going to the dentist’ and Stella Harries our President said “It’s like going into a mangle machine” but I suspect from the laughter and camaraderie that I witnessed that indeed most candidates thoroughly enjoyed their day at Addington.
Sue Kenny
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