How to become a showing judge or steward

Do you want to get involved in showing, perhaps by becoming a judge or steward rather than competing?

• The British Show Pony Society (BSPS) holds team and individual competitions for young judges, to encourage them to learn about conformation, way of going and judging. Most areas hold training sessions at different yards as part of the preparation. Find out more at www.britishshowponysociety.co.uk.

• The National Pony Society also holds a young judges’ competition. There are two sections, one for show and show hunter ponies and the other for M&Ms. Visit www.nationalponysociety.org
• Interested in M&Ms or a particular breed? Ask breed societies for advice. For example, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society runs an annual young judges’ competition. Details can be found at www.wpcs.uk.com.
• Most societies have a minimum age for judges; for instance, you must be 24 before you can apply to become a British Show Horse Association probationary judge. But you can apply to the British Skewbald and Piebald Association (BSPA) from the age of 21 years. Visit www.bspaonline.com.
• Stewarding is a particularly valuable way to gain experience and most shows and societies will welcome you with open arms – minimum age limits vary. The BSPA plans to hold a stewarding course in the near future. Keep an eye on the website (above) for details.For the full feature on the young rider M&M championship plus the report from Cheshire County see the current issue of H&H (28 June 2012)Do you want to read all the latest showing news?