These are concerns of Judges to Show Management.
This will be updated in Early December.
AIR Travel

It usually takes a judge most of the day prior to a Dressage show to travel to your show.    It also sometimes takes a whole day to return home after the show.   

     1)  Try to pick the judge up promptly at the airport and take them immediately
           to the hotel.    Be sure to have the judges cell phone and give them yours for 
           problems with travel.  

      2)  Ask the judge if they want to eat dinner.  If Judge is just dropped off at the hotel,
           be sure that a reasonable restaurant is within walking distance.

Sunday Judging:
Most judges would prefer to leave on Sunday night, even if it means starting early on Sunday.  Most exhibitors would also like to get done so you might consider adjusting your schedule.    Most judges don't mind being left at the airport early on Sunday.  
They have reading or work and are used to waiting time at airports.

 
HOTELS for Judges:
1)   Most judges now travel light.  Please be sure the hotel has hairdryers and an iron
      and ironing board for freshening up your judges wardrobe.  

2.)  If breakfast is offered by the hotel,  please be sure that it is available at least 30
       minutes before you pick up the judge.   Also, many judges are now on low-carb
       diets and some hotels only offer cereal and bagels.  Ask your judge about break-
       fast requirements.

3.   If the judge is paying for the meal with per diem, you need to consider the cost of
      meals at the hotel.  $25. per day will not cover two meals at some hotels.
 

 



CONTRACT Cancellations:
Judges and Show management should be sure to include a cancellation clause in their contract.    

When a judge accepts a judging assignment, all other requests for the judges time must be declined.  If you need to cancel the judge, remember they might have turned down another judging opportunity or clinic so they may be losing money as well.

As show management, you want the judge to purchase an airline ticket far enough ahead to keep the fees low, but there are more and more restrictions in changing tickets so be sure to absorb any of these costs.  

Options for resolution:    

            1)  Judge uses pre-paid ticket for another show, and show reimburses the judge for the
              change fee.   (Please note that some airlines require that the new ticket must be purchased
              BEFORE the actual date of the cancelled flight).   

            2)  The judge is given a percentage of a day fee, or one day's fee, or an agreement to
            rebook for the following year.    

 



JUDGES' BOXES:   an IMPORTANT topic

1)    CHAIRS - Judges chairs need to be comfortable for sitting for eight hours a day.  Please supply chairs with support for the lower back and arms if possible.  (The common white plastic chairs usually do well. )  Arms on the chairs makes standing for the rider's entrance much easier and less noisy when the judge reseats themselves.

Sitting in one chair for 8 hours is never an easy task so your care in this way is greatly appreciated.
 

2)   SUN - Consider what your judges box is like from 8:00 am in the morning until 5:30pm in the afternoon.   Sun exposure is a concern for all, and some judges have medications that restrict direct sunlight exposure.   Shade is a prime requirement,  or for a short time, sunblock and visor/hat could be substituted.   Also, please pay attention to where the sun rises and sets.    
 

3)   TABLES - In addition to chairs, the table that the judge/scribe use should be of adequate size and also the correct height to write comfortably.  Shoulders and backs can be at risk when the table is not appropriate.  If possible, try to supply skirting, material or wood, in the front of the judges table.  Wind can blow up skirts and your competitors pictures in front of "C" will be improved.
 

4)   REFRESHMENTS: Ask the judge, even in the contract, what they like but be prepared to keep supplying fresh bottled water at all times.  Talking for eight hours, 
especially in dry weather, can really require a lot of water.  Which brings me to.......
 

5)  RESTROOMS: - Judges don't mind walking to restrooms but they do REQUIRE the time it takes to get there and back or transportion. 


 

Show Scheduling:

Please be realistic when scheduling your show.  There are time guidelines available on the USDF Website.   Although a judge is only required to judge 8 hours per day,  this should be a reasonable number of rides.  

It takes a certain amount of time to complete the test,  say 5-6 minutes.  It also takes usually 2 minutes added for the competitor to leave the arena while the judge finishes the collective marks and comments and rings the bell for the next rider.  Don't hurt your competitors by not giving the judge enough time to complete the judging.

OVERTIME:   Concentrating and giving a mark every 8-10 seconds for eight hours is a very tiring job.  After eight hours, most judges are not at their best and can not give the same consideration to the job.  Be sure to contact your judge if overtime is needed and consider hiring a local "r" judge for lunch breaks or overtime judging.  Everyone will benefit!



 
Walkie-Talkies:
With the advent of inexpensive walkie/talkies,  why not put one in the judges booth?

This walkie/talkie should be turned to the show office but not ON.  It would not be for the purpose of reaching the judge, but for the judge to reach the show office or technical delegate.  If a packet of tests is wrong, if the ring is running late and the judge needs a quick restroom break and could use cart transport,  if there is a no show or rides out of order, a communication with the show office can really expedite matters.

 
For information about what Judges are saying to Show management, go to

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