Hi folks!
We are organizing a recognized show, and I found that rules require a platform or judge’s booth to be raised 20 inches. Any advice on the easiest way to elevate a judging table? We could built a platform, but is there any easier way? Also, we will have one outdoor ring, what is the best overhead cover for judges that you have found. I am thinking small tent could be risky in the wind.
Advice? Links?
Thanks in advance!
I have been to horse shows where horse trailers are parked at C. They take the divider out and put a table in. There is cover, and its super easy to move. I don’t know if it provides a ton of elevation though.
As a rider, I am not a huge fan of the trailers. It can take some of the hotter or greener horses a few minutes to figure out what the hell is going on there.
Thanks for the thought, I have seen the horse trailers, too. I don’t think judges or competitors love them, but it is a backup plan for our outdoor ring. It is a no-go for our indoor.
I have been to recognized events where they sit in their trucks for judging too… Another thought is a flatbed trailer if you have one on your farm or could rent one. It would be plenty high and plenty large for a table/chairs and a handful of people.
We use a portable wood platform and an easy-up tent with leg extensions.
I’ve seen this done too. And you can put a table cloth over it if you don’t want it to show. Or flowers in front of it.
We use a big piece of “astroturf” to cover the platform.
So it looks like they are on the grassy mound! Yes, there are so many ways to make it “pretty”.
Do you know the approximate size of the platform? I don’t want folks feeling like they may fall off the edge. The flatbed trailer is an interesting idea too. Wonder if it feels stable enough? I like the ideas to make it pretty too!
Would love to see an example of the pop up tent. A competitor friend has offered us one to borrow, which would be great if that works.
THANK YOU! Keep the ideas coming!
We use a flatbed trailer that is well chocked to avoid shifting.
we make it easy to step in and out with the two step mounting block and we have a pop-up tent over it that is securely tied off to the flatbed trailer.
It works out really well having the trailer…it means you’ve got room on either side to have a small cooler to have you know a laptop bag, or whatever else you might want as a scribe or judge there’s room for it
I like the flatbed idea! That might be the perfect solution for us!
Hmm, the Easy-UP is 10x10, https://www.ezup.com/, I think we use the model that’s around $139. I got my personal one at their outlet store years ago. Anyway so the platform itself is pretty close to that size so it’s probably 9x9 or 8x8. We use a plastic table that’s maybe 2x4 so there’s room to move it on the platform to make sure the judge and scribe are in the shade as much as possible.
Also, we just drape the astro turf around the front and sides so you don’t have to look at the support structure.
If you go with the pop-up tent/canopy, make sure to stake it down because they can and will blow over. Ask me how I know this…
All of our shows have small wood booths, like half-size sheds. The fancy ones have screens over the windows to keep the bugs out.
Judges have a difficult time seeing the corners of the dressage ring closest to the trailer. Unless it is very, very clean a trailer can be “smelly” - a vehicle would be a better option.
Or a flatbed trailer. I’ve judged (schooling shows) out of trucks and had the same problem - visibility issues. I’ve also sat on flatbed trailers with a mounting block for stairs, and a draped plastic table and a couple of chairs - much better for full arena visibility. And seems less disturbing to the horses - the one time I judged out of a truck, there was a LOT of spooking going on. If the horses see the judge through glass (windshield), it is pretty scary. There is one show in our area where one of the judges booths is glassed in, and that is super spooky to horses too - the horses can’t really see the judge and scribe behind the glass.
A local trailer dealer sponsors the show that I was talking about. So the trailers are shiny and new and make every trailer in the parking area look dirty and sad.
Good for your sponsorship, but the judge will probably need to lean out to see the corners of the arena.
I didn’t say that wasn’t a problem. I just pointed out that there is an easy way to eliminate the smell.
if you don’t have a flatbed, you can also rent risers or portable stage from most rental companies that provide for weddings, etc – typically they come with a nice velcro-on skirt
Not if the trailer is put at the right distance; which is a little further away than regular booth.
But leaning out to see corners can happen in regular booths, especially at E or B. Judges are kind of use to it. Not all booths are created equal!
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