2016 Miniature Horse WORLD Issues April/May 2016 - Volume 32, Number 2 | Page 16

judges speak

Q.

The AMHA Rule Book (page 109) says: “Adult
(19 years of age or older) headers are mandatory
for all youth drivers but optional for all other
drivers.” But my question is this…if an adult
exhibitor in a driving class does not have a header does
that count against them if the horse is well behaved?  

Judge Debbie Hamilton- No, I don’t feel
it counts against the exhibitor.  The headers
are there as an option for the driver and really
has no factor in the placings.  If anything, it
is a plus towards the driver.  And if the horse
and driver need assistance, a header can be
called in after the fact for safety reasons.
Judge Diane Morgan-Stasiak- I don’t
feel a header is necessary in the driving classes for an experience adult driver- if the horse
is well behaved. But a less experienced driver
or horse might be able to breathe a sigh of
relief when the headers are called in at the
end of the class. So it becomes a judgement
call for the exhibitor. If you feel the horse
might act up in the line-up, it’s a good safety
net for a nervous driver or horse.
Judge Gareth Selwood - Absolutely not.
If anything the opposite would be true. A
well trained horse that is standing still and
quiet, one who backs obediently if asked,
would be perhaps preferred than one that
obviously needs a header to stand quietly.
Judge Portia Kalinka- In my opinion,
whether an adult has a header or not is irrelevant to placing.  However, if any exhibitor
has a header who I see physically holding the
horse in place I will take it in consideration
as a fault.  The weight of the penalty would
depend on the division.  It would be more
serious in Classic and Country Driving and
less serious in Open and Roadster.
Judge Joanne Crockett- This is a good
question. In my opinion if a header is not
used it would not count against the exhibitor, IF …and that is a big IF …the horse
is very well behaved and not worrisome to
other horses along side.
Judge Leslie Connor- I would never penalize an adult exhibitor in a driving class
for not having a header, provided the horse
stands quietly, backs readily, and willingly
steps right back up into line. However, in
the interest of safety, I would prefer that every adult driver have a header, if at all possible. Even though a horse may usually be
very well-mannered in the lineup, the horse
next to it might suddenly act up, causing
the horse to shy away, possibly even into the
horse on the other side.  So, since it is one of
my responsibilities as a judge to help insure
the safety of everyone in the ring, I say it’s
always “better to be safe than sorry”! 

14 Miniature Horse World

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