The Judge Is Not Out to Get You (Probably) - Talking Scores with Don Beard
Horse Show Bestie · Crysta Brown
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Show Notes
If you’ve ever walked out of the pen like “that felt SO good” and then looked at your score like 🤨 …this one’s for you.
We sat down with Don Beard (aka a real judge) and got into what’s actually happening on the other side of the clipboard.
We’re talking:
- what the scores mean
- why “pretty” doesn’t always mean effective
- what judges are actually rewarding vs what riders think they’re rewarding
- and yes… why that run you loved maybe didn’t mark like you expected
We also get into the bigger picture stuff:
how patterns are selected, how ranch + pleasure horses have evolved, and what it actually takes to make it in this industry without losing your standards (or your mind).
It’s honest, theres no shortage of hot takes, and very much a “listen before your next horse show” situation.