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Paso Fino Judges and Stewards Clinic Informs Attendees on a Multitude of Issues

by Sarah Evers | Feb 15, 2007, 12:18 PM

The Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) hosted it’s annual judges and stewards clinic in Ocala, FL, February 2-4, 2007. Friday evening, three Applicant Judges attended a four-hour workshop that addressed calling classes and show etiquette. They ended the evening with a written test and a gait test.

The next day 21 certified judges and stewards joined the applicants to learn more about illegal tack, ring management, positive judging, equitation and determining a horse's age by it’s teeth. After lunch, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and it’s benefits to PFHA were discussed. Following this, five applicant judges gave presentations about shoeing, croup and tail movement, ethical and unethical issues in judging, similarities between Paso Fino and Tennessee Walkers and Rocky Mountain Horses. The final presentation was from a Colombian veterinarian who presented the findings of a research project that addressed the relationship of a horse's bone structure to its natural and smooth gait.

The final day, all met at a local Paso Fino ranch where a live clinic was held to lookat horses and tack. A clinic to demonstrate proper equitation skills at the international level was conducted. Lastly, all the applicant judges entered the ring and were presented with 20 horses. It was the duty of attendees to determine the correct class the horse should be in. The three classes were Fino, Performance or Pleasure. The applicants made their placements, and the certified judges made suggestions to teach and mentor. The clinic concluded with lunch. The overall consensus was that it was an informative clinic.

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