Iâve also done the L program. Yes, the ârightâ order is emphasized, but these judges at FOC have been at it a long time. When we have more judges that have come through the L program, there may be a shift in how scores look, but we are a long way from the L program grads being a majority of the panel at anything more than schooling shows.
As most know, the L grads still have to go through the small r program before they can even judge up to second level at a recognized show. As expensive as the L program can be, the r program is even worse, and more political than the L program. Until we have more judges at the r, R, and S levels that went through the same, more standardized program, we are going to still see outliers. And the 5 or 7 position judging can make a much more quirky order than a 1 or 2 position judging, since there is so much at a angle that judges are not positioned at every day of every weekend.
It is worth noting that both of the horses in question are still at the top of the leaderboard after the I1 today, so while it may have looked a little funky yesterday, it has regulated a bit today. There is still as much as a 5 placing swing in any given ride. Also worth noting that there are 11 horses in the class today and the final score is only a 9% spread - so a slightly different score can make a huge difference on where any particular judgeâs scores fall.
Just my two cents, and not particularly highly researched, just my personal observations after many years both showing and working behind the scenes.
