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I won’t comment on the eq (keeping it in my wheelhouse), but winning the u/s classes can come down to preference.
I think most people have it in their mind that they like the traditional daisy cutter (classic TB mover) or the big suspension WB trot. Then assuming no major screw ups (that cannot safely be ignored 
) and nothing terribly out of the range of normal for head carriage, they will place those 1/2 in order of personal preference in the class. A blue to their preferred mover and a nod to another good mover that isn’t quite to their preference.
Or that has been my experience w/my very good classic daisy cutter mover.
But if you have a whole lot of good moving WBs in the class, I could see them filling up the ribbons before a daisy cutter. There’s no guidance on one being better than another so it is a perfectly reasonable choice (and a lot more likely to happen than a ring full of daisy cutters).
A giraffe headset should be penalized more than a relaxed average headset, but classic hunter (light contact/relaxed headset, slightly poked out nose) versus on contact/in a frame is largely a matter of preference these day (although the standard is written more to the former not the latter, and is my preference).
But if you are picking between two average movers - one doesn’t have a headset that fits into the above parameters, but he is a steady eddie, a relaxed easy rhythmical ride and he’s carrying his head naturally where it comes out of his shoulder (and not higher) and the other good mover is good… flat kneed, but he can’t even track up, and he’s level but maybe he’s kind of old and stiff hocked and really a lot more on his forehand than he should be… well I could see the giraffe pinning higher. Not every judge, every time, but it could happen. Especially if my latter example did not impress the judge with his soundness in the o/f classes and the giraffe was just s superstar. One shouldn’t bear on the other, but judges: still human.
C
[QUOTE=SweetIndulgence;7977859]
Hey so i was the one that started the “Judging hunters” and i was wondering the same thing but flat classes. Like once again what would place better the green fancy moving warmblood (floating trot etc.) that doesn’t have the headset down or the flat moving QH and TB but doesnt come out like a giraffe.
What about the eq under saddle? just the basics heels down, thumbs up, shoulders open, good posture, etc.?
For eq over fences this is what my circuit has but occasionally someone comes in with everything
1)getting the lead change/simple lead change (quickly) the step and is in the center of fences getting the step.
2) terrible Loose leg but good posture and getting the distances with relatively long simple lead changes but add or double add
3) tight leg, okay posture getting the step with lead changes but not the best eq over fences and in the middle of the fences getting good distances
I don’t show because my mare is too green just like to judge the others (in my head) and guess who will place well[/QUOTE]
USEF rated shows, schooling shows? Just trying to get a feel. In rated eq (but I’m talking big eq so please clarify) there is so much more than “heels down/thumbs up”.
I’m just trying to get a feel for what you are asking, for example most schooling shows or a lower eq won’t ask for counter canter).
