Every year after the Celebration we are asked by many people to explain the judging system used at this show . It is obvious that some people do not fully understand this system and how it works . We hope to give you the system that is used , and show you how to tabulate each class . Three judges are used for every class at the Celebration . The key to figuring how they tie the horses is to remember that only two ( 2 ) Judge ’ s Cards are used in each class . If ( and this is rare ) the two judges agree on the ten horses to be tied in order , then the Referee ’ s Card is not used ; IF , however , the two Judge ’ s Cards do not agree , then the Referee ’ s Card is used to break the ties .

This so-called " weighted ” judge ’ s card system was first used at the Celebration in 1957 and has been used every7 year since . Some people question this system ; however , it has served well in the past years . Each class is judged using the following procedure . After the horses enter the ring , two judges and a referee are selected by a spin of the color wheel in the middle of the ring . One judge is selected to " call the class ” — that is , he calls for the gaits to be worked and the length of time each gait is worked for the entire class . A ringmaster works with each of the two judges and with the referee ( when needed ) who are positioned some distance apart around the ring .

Neither the judges nor the referee converse while working the class under saddle . The judges , but not the referee , prepare a list of horses which they desire to see called to the track for a workout following a careful screening of all entries .

After sending these numbers to the announcers , via the ringmaster , the numbers are called out in numerical order from both lists . The two judges do not know until the numbers are announced what horses the other has selected . These horses are generally placed on the grass and remaining numbers are worked again . If a horse was overlooked , the rider now has a chance to have his mount called to the center of the ring . The numbers being worked are excused from the ring and the remaining riders put their mounts back on the rail in the same direction as they entered the ring . During the workout each judge ties or selects 10 places . However , in some classes , even a third smaller workout is called . The referee has to tie or place all the horses remaining in the ring . ( Notice on the sample

card below that the judge tied 12 places .) The three cards are turned in to an experienced secretary in the center of the ring and the winners are compiled very quickly . These cards are posted outside the office on the Celebration grounds the morning following each class and they are also printed in the Celebration issue of the VOICE . Over the years we have heard so many times , " How in the world do they figure the winner ?” It took us some time to learn , but it ’ s really quite simple when you know how . The Blue Ribbon Magazine generally has an article , " Scoring the Championship Stake ,” which gives a complete detailed method for you to use .

The judges last year were B . H . McChesney , Claude Shaw and Clarence Goodson . Using the following card we will explain how to compare the winners in an average class . Grand Championship Walking Horse Stake

In this class from the 1968 Celebration , 12 horses were in the workout . Clarence Goodson was selected by the color wheel to referee the class , which meant he had to place all 12 horses in the order he desired . To figure any card , you must mark out the numbers as you go down the list .

Use the Referee ’ s Card in a process of elimination in cases where the judges do not agree . Be sure to mark all numbers on each card as they are placed . The first places on the two Judge ’ s Cards were 248 and 297 . Refer to the Referee ’ s Card to break this tie — whichever of these numbers falls first on his card will win the class . In this case , 297 is before 248 , therefore 297 is first-place winner . If , however ,

( Continued on page 81 )

P . 0 . BOX 387 MOBILE , ALA . 36601 L

WALKING HORSE JUDGES : GENE ADAMS , BUD DUNN AND RICHARD PATE

76 Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse