Judging | Yakindow

Judging - horses and dogs

Judging is an honour and a privilege and to be invited to give an opinion is something which I have never and will never take for granted.

To be asked to judge at the most prestigious horse event in Australia is an honour of the highest order, to be asked twice is nothing short of amazing.

I judged Working Hunters in 2013 and was invited back to judge Hunter Horses, novices and opens in 2017.

A very special weekend, supported by fantastic stewards and ring staff, made only more wonderful by the sportsmanship and acceptance of my decisions in the ring and the wonderful smiles on the faces of my very worthy winners.

I will never forget the look on Pheobe's face as she turned to look at her mum in the stand when the horse that came second in her class returned to the main arean to work out for reserve. The moment she realised she had not only taken Novice Champion two days earlier, but that she was about to take out the main Hunter Championship.

Dreams do come true sometimes. xxx

Above: Phoebe Wilkinson and Greenoaks Munich - Novice Hunter Champions. Below: Sarah Lamb and Master Tonto winner of the exc 16hh n/exc 16.2hh novice class and a horse I would very much like to own myself.

My judging career began in 1998/9 as a probationary riding club judge under the watchful eye of Brenda Thompson from "Northern Colours Stud" and I progressed over the years to HOYS qualifier ride level on the CHAPS UK Panel, as well as judging national riding club championships and all breeds from miniature to heavy horses and everything in between. I have judged horses all over the UK, in Germany and in Australia, and made my dog judging debut with an invitation to judge Stafford Sweepstakes as part of the supported entry show at the 2019 Westchester Kennel Club in New Jersey, USA.

I commenced my Group 2 - Terrier judges training with DOGS NSW in January 2022, and gained my Group 2 Terrier Licence in October 2023. (FCI Group 3 approved) Appointments completed:-

SBT Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes - Westchester KC, New Jersey USA, September 2019

Group 2 Open Show Cooma DK&OC November 2022

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Victoria Open Specialty Show March 2023

American Staffordshire Terrier Club of NSW's Open Speciality Show April 2023

ACT&D SBTC Championship Show 6th April 2024

Contracted:-

ACT Bull terrier Club - Terrier Group Show - 6th April 2025

Wollondilly All Breeds KC - Group 2 - 3rd Jan 2026