Show managers/volunteers - advice for judge's tables

[AZ_TD]

From the rule book DR126 [LIST=1]

Location of Judges.[LIST=1]

If there is only one judge he is preferably placed a maximum of five meters and minimum of three meters from the end of the arena and must be opposite the letter C. Except in Young Horse Tests ,when two judgesare used one is placed at C and the other at B or E, preferably a maximum of five meters and minimum ofthree meters opposite the letter. When three judges are used, one is placed at C, the second at B or E, and the third must be placed at the end of the arena on a line with the judge at C and 2.5 meters in from the edge of the long side of the arena at H or M (If the second judge is at B, the third should be at H and vice versa). If this is not possible, judges should be placed at the end of the arena, one at C, one 2.5 meters in from the long side of the arena at M and the other 2.5 meters from the long side of the arena at H.

At indoor competitions, judges must be placed a minimum of 3 meters from the arena, unless modifications are permitted by application to the Federation Dressage Sport Committee.

Except in Young Horse tests a separate enclosure (booth, tent, trailer) or platform for indoor classes must be provided for each judge.

Each judges booth or platform must be raised at least 0.5 meters (20 inches), for Freestyle Tests possibly a little higher, above the ground to give the Judge(s) a good view of the ring.

The booth/hut/platform must be large enough to accommodate three people except that the booth at C must accommodate four people for Young Horse Championship classes.

Judges’ booths placed at E and B must be equipped with side windows. [/LIST] [/LIST]

[alibi_18]

The use of the word « preferably » indicates that it could be a little further away.

While it might not ideal, I doubt it would make much of a difference if a trailer was, let’s say, at 6m.

A believe a wide enough trailer wouldn’t block the view much more than a regular booth.

Wondering what the OP decided to do and if it worked ok.

[DressageLin]

Thanks for all of the great ideas. Our show is in July, so I’m just trying to get all of the details nailed down. I like the flatbed idea, so I’m going to try to make that work. We shall see!

[ThreeFigs]

I’ve scribed from the backs of flatbeds, hay wagons, pickup trucks, trailers and more.

One pretty good (and cheap) judge’s platform was made with sheets of plywood laid over bales of bedding. Not too high to step up on, stable, and worked well for the indoor show venue. I could see it working outdoors, too. The astroturf idea or hiding the front and sides of the platform should help horses keep from spooking at the structure…

[AZ_TD]

Lots of good ideas! Judges have a difficult job and show management needs to make them as comfortable as possible. Every show has different conditions and it is challenging at times!

[GreyGelding]

@DressageLin

Thanks for all of the great ideas. Our show is in July, so I’m just trying to get all of the details nailed down. I like the flatbed idea, so I’m going to try to make that work. We shall see!

I run a number of dressage show and horse trials at a variety of facilities. My word of caution with the flatbed is to be careful of how high it is, the judges shouldn’t be looking down on the horses. I’ve used a flatbed for show jump judges, which is quite high and a good vantage point for them, but that same trailer wouldn’t work for a dressage judge.

I’ve used some ticket booths as judges booths at a particular venue, which worked out! I have also had judges in a truck or SUV who were very comfortable. If outside, an EZ-up tent was placed over the vehicle to provide shade.

If this is something you may be running again, it might be worthwhile to invest in a small booth that a tractor with a fork could move. Good luck!

[rjr]

Easiest judges booth to make is a layer of hay (or straw) bales with two 4’ x 8’ pieces of plywood on top (total size 8’ x 8’), and a 10 x 10 EZ-up tent over it. Then your typical costco folding plastic table and folding chairs. Having the judge and scribe sit in a large-ish truck or SUV also works and can be more comfortable in really bad weather (as long as there isn’t a fence that would be in the way of this.)