If you think judging is hard, imagine how hard it is to rank adorable little tykes on cute ponies in the leadline class. It’s especially difficult to judge leadline classes in schooling shows because this is the first taste of showing these youngsters get, and my goal as a judge in schooling shows is to make showing a positive learning experience.

At one ride school where I judge, every child in the school show’s leadline classes gets a ribbon, but small children are often more savvy than we adults expect. Many figure out when fourth, fifth or sixth place is tied, and can be especially disappointed with not winning first place. That’s why, I feel, the judge’s interaction with these students can really make the difference in how they feel, even if they walk away with sixth place. I like to chat with each one and tell them what their strong points are and what they need to work on. Ending with some words of encouragement can quickly turn tears into a grin. (My personal feeling is that all schooling show leadline contestants be awarded a blue ribbon. In fact, I think that we could have each child win a particular area of the leadline division such as best control, winner of the red light green light game, best hands, best heels, winner of the Simon says game, etc.)

So, how do I judge school show leadline classes? Position, control, appearance and knowledge. I don’t really like to penalize a child whose parent or assistant assists in helping to steer or halt the pony unless the child doesn’t try at all. For example, if two children both require the aid of assistants to get their ponies to turn or halt, the child who actually tries to steer or halt will pin over the child who just sits there and allows the assistant to do all of the work.

Good form includes heels down, straight back with shoulders back, lower leg underneath them, not jammed forward, low and soft hands, eyes looking ahead, steady and balanced seat not wobbling from side to side.

Most of the schooling show leadline classes that I judge have children who mostly ride at the walk and require assistance to do an individual trot to the end of the line. Many students may not have learned yet to post the trot, sit trot or demonstrate two-point position, so I usually ask the instructors the extent of their basics in this training. In schooling show leadline classes, the instructors are often in the ring with me or acting as the assistants leading their charges.

I incorporate games as well as understanding of parts of the horse or equipment.

With red light green light 1-2-3, we get much giggles and smiles as the children try to outsmart the judge, and it’s always fun when I, as judge, get nudged by the winning pony.

The Simon says game helps to test the children’s knowledge of parts of the horse and equipment without seeming like a lot of work. Simon says touch your helmet, Simon says touch your stirrup.

Regarding appearance, safe equipment like certified helmets and correct footwear are required. Safety vests are optional. Beyond that, the child just needs to look clean and neat. A child in a hunt coat and jodhpurs will not pin over a child in a sweater and jeans in a schooling show just based on attire. Some families can afford to buy fancy show attire for such youngsters and other families cannot. Those who cannot for a schooling show are not penalized. I do, however, inform the parents of the difference rated show leadline classes.

 While testing for knowledge, I have to keep in mind that in a schooling show, these children are on school horses and ponies. They may not even know their mounts’ names. But I ask to see if they do and to see if they know the color of their mount and whether they think he’s a pony or horse and why. I’ll also ask them to point to the girth. Depending on how knowledgeable the class is, we might even get to the parts of the saddle, like pommel and cantle.

A final test as to capability of the riders is to ask them, while they are halted, to drop their stirrups and reins. Then ask them to pick them up again. Many children are just accustomed to having their feet placed in the stirrups and the reins put into their hands. If they can take back their stirrups on their own and adjust their feet to have heels down, it’s a pleasant surprise. If they can pick up their reins correctly, it’s a very pleasant surprise!

I’ve sometimes been jokingly chastised for taking too long in schooling show leadline classes, but I think it’s important to make this first experience a positive one for our future horsemen and women!