To revise the Pierce County Judging Program to shadow Snohomish County 4-H Horse Department.

To create a Judging program that is focused on learning rather than competition

Judging Proposal

Qualifying Judging vs.

Judging Final“Practice Judging will require many sessions just building the “ideal” horse in the beginner’s mind. The beginner then must spend many hours comparing horses, one with another and those to the “ideal”. 4-H Horse Judging Manual

One (1) required to attend County FairTwo (2) required for State Riding Team Qualification

(Educational Point Requirement)Emphasis on learning not competition

Judge explains before classJudge explains/validates placings (even reasons class)

Juniors not required to do reasons classEncouraged to watch, practice, & try

Required for Awards and Judging Finals

Int. & Sr. required to do (1) either written or oralBoth optional only the highest placing will be used

Qualifying Judging (a practice judging)

Youth who receive a blue ribbon are invited to the Judging FinalsTwo Qualifying Judging Scores plus Judging

Finals to determine: State Judging Team Year End Judging Awards

Why Change?Practice JudgingsLearn by DoingEmphasis on learning rather then competing

Qualifying Judging continued

A formal Judging competition/contestBoth written and oral reasons required by all

participants (Jr., Int. & Sr.)Held sometime between June and the end of

County FairAwards

State Judging TeamYear end Judging High PointsOthers optional (Top oral reasons, etc.)

Judging Finals

Competition & Points“Competitive learning encourages high levels of individual achievement, but also creates many more losers than winners. This can be harmful to youth, especially those with undeveloped centers of self-esteem” WSU Volunteer Training Module

100 pts possible for State Fair Riding Team Educational Requirement & Overall High Point AwardsTop Placing Score (50 pts)Top Reasons Score (50 pts)

Why Change?Difficulty maximizing points

Emphasis on Competition rather then EducationSenior Performance Riding Team...

New members at disadvantageLearning disabled at disadvantage

Current Judging Educational Points

100 pts possible for State Fair Riding Team Educational Requirement & Overall High Point AwardsBased on top Qualifying Judging Ribbon placing

Utilizing 4 class placings and one reasons class (either Oral or written)

Every youth has the potential of maximizing pointsOnly 1/5 of the points are based on writing and

speaking skillsQualifying Judgings are set as learning/practice day

Judge explains before and after classes

As with presentations & posters, youth are competing against themselves to maximize points

Judging Proposal – Educational Points

Qualifying JudgingsJuniors (No reasons required- Based on 4 class @ 50 points each)

Ribbon placings will be assigned for each Judging Contest based on a possible 200 points as follows:170 – 200 points = Blue Ribbon (85% min.)150 – 169 points = Red Ribbon (75% min.)1 – 149 points = White Ribbon

Intermediate & Seniors (Based on 4 classes & one reasons @ 50 points each)Ribbon placings will be assigned for each Judging

Contest based on a possible 250 points as follows:212 – 250 points = Blue Ribbon (85% min.)188 – 211 points = Red Ribbon (75% min.)1 – 189 points = White Ribbon

Proposal Scoring

Blue = 100 ptsRed = 80 ptsWhite = 60 pts

Ribbon Points for Judging Educational Requirement

County Judging Finals (4 classes @ 50 pts each, written @ 50 pts & oral @ 50 pts.)

Ribbon placings will be assigned for each Judging Contest based on a possible 300 points as follows (per State Guidelines)265 – 300 points = Blue Ribbon (88% min.)228 – 264 points = Red Ribbon  (76% min.)1 – 227 points = White Ribbon

Proposal Scoring Continued

Two Qualifying Judging Scores & County Judging Finals Score are used to determine the State Judging Teams and Judging Awards

Current Judging

Senior’s Judging Cards (State Fair

required – two Judgings) Proposed Change w/Qualifying Judging

Education/Qualification points = 86/100State Judging Team/Judging Awards = 477/600

RED RIBBON

BLUE RIBBON

Education/Qualification points = 100/100State Judging Team/Judging Awards = 428+ Judging Finals score (possible 300 more)

183+27=21

0182+36=21

8

X

X

Learning, Moral & Incentives“Adequate learning requires MOTIVATION. Self-motivation comes from basic needs, personal preferences, and feeling of self-worth and belonging. External motivation, on the other hand, is usually based on incentives and awards received.”**Principles of Basic Learning, WSU Volunteer Training Module

Learn how to place a class firstWritten reasons are less intimidating to

novice or new membersEncourage but not require oral reasons at

Qualifying JudgingsOnly 1/5 of the Qualifying Judging score is

based on written and/or speaking skillsYoung Juniors avoid stress and pressure until

ready

Junior, Novice, & New Members

“Each youth will have DIFFERENT ABILITITIES. The same learning method will not be equally successful with all members”**

“Youth must ACTIVELY SELECT AND CARRY OUT the learning activities”**

Visualized advancement based on want & incentive….Qualifying Judging

Written and/or OralJudging Final

Special DaySpecial awards

State Judging TeamNational Judging Team

MoralChoiceLess stress & intimidation

Intermediate & Seniors

“Youth must have clear, SELF-DETERMINED GOALS”**

Notes….On the Current Judging and Proposed Changes....

One “reasons” class at Qualifying JudgingYouth have an option of doing written and oral

on the same class50 point incentive to be a handler

will hopefully increase volunteersCut time needed for equipment changes between

classes

Some kids will choose not to do oral reasonsMay be a trade off

Judges explanationsStanding in line waiting to give reasons

Long days at a Judging

Currently the handler receives points as part of their Judging Team & Year End Judging Points

Proposal will give 50 pts for placingsIncentive to volunteerOnly 1/5 of the total score

As now, only one class

Handler Receiving 50 pts.

Competing against themselvesAll youth can receive the top score

Maximizing qualifying points early may promote youth helping youthLess stress opportunity to assist others

Reduces Competition

4-H Judging ManualWSU Extension Volunteer Training Module

VII2009-10 Judging Proposal submitted by Jill McNally,

Horse Crazy 4-H

References