The Judging Concerns That Keep Coming Back — And Why They Can’t Be Ignored Anymore

We didn’t make it to Balmoral this year. Prior commitments pulled us in a different direction. But that didn’t stop the phone from buzzing.

As one of the biggest shows in the Irish calendar, Balmoral carries weight — in atmosphere, in scale, and in influence. It was actually the first major show the Grassroots Gazette ever covered. The memories of lapel mics, first interviews, and our initial learning curve are all rooted there. It’s a show we’ve respected since the beginning.

But respect doesn’t mean silence — especially when patterns keep surfacing.

From day one this year, our inbox filled up — messages from riders, producers, breeders, and spectators. Many were positive. But a significant number weren’t. They echoed a sentiment we’ve heard before but never this loudly: something didn’t feel right.

A Pattern, Not an Outlier

Across multiple classes, people reported a similar concern: that judging outcomes appeared — in the eyes of several observers — to reflect pre-existing relationships more than performance in the ring.

This wasn’t one voice. Or one class. It was a multi-day trickle that became a stream — each message slightly different, but all pointing to the same uncomfortable question: Are some decisions still being made before the horse trots up?

“It’s the same names, year after year. People know what’s going to happen before the class even starts.”
— Anonymous producer

These aren’t wild accusations. They’re perceptions. Observations. Patterns that riders, breeders, and competitors say they’ve quietly recognised for years — but have only recently started speaking about out loud.

And it’s not just Balmoral.

A National Undercurrent

Let’s be clear on one thing… what seems to have emerged in Balmoral is not unique to any one venue. It’s part of a wider issue in the Irish showing scene — a simmering doubt about impartiality that’s becoming harder to ignore. More and more people are messaging us after shows…

“People don’t trust the system anymore. Everyone’s whispering about it — but nobody’s saying anything out loud.”
— Long-time competitor

It’s not the losses that sting most — it’s the belief that merit might not be what’s being rewarded.

What’s at Stake Is More Than a Rosette

Placings aren’t just pride. They’re value. A major win can affect breeding decisions, commercial reputation, and business opportunities. That’s why fairness is non-negotiable. Because if bias — or the perception of bias — creeps into the ring, it doesn’t just affect the moment. It ripples outwards into livelihoods and futures.

“These aren’t just ribbons. They’re currency — and they’re being handed out based on politics, not performance.”
— Young breeder, first time at Balmoral

And when people begin to see the game as tilted — even subtly — faith in the process disappears.

It’s Not About Gender. It’s About Governance.

Some recent conversations attempted to reduce these concerns to gender. That’s not only reductive — it’s a distraction. This isn’t a male or female issue. It’s a credibility one.

Ireland has brilliant judges. But any judging system that doesn’t actively prevent conflicts of interest leaves itself open to doubt. That’s why other shows have taken steps — like rotating panels or international appointments — to guard against even the appearance of partiality.

“There are horses here that could win any British show. But they don’t stand a chance here — because they’re not tied to the right people.”
— Judge-turned-competitor

When quality is eclipsed by proximity or familiarity, people stop investing in the journey. Or they keep going, bitter and resigned.

Where to From Here?

Let’s be clear — this isn’t an attack. It’s should be an eye opener. We love the sport. We respect the shows. But respect doesn’t mean staying silent when the foundations are cracking. And people, grassroots equestrians are sick of it… they asked us to do something as no other media brand seems to be willing to cover it or talk about these big underlying issues….

What’s needed now isn’t outrage. It’s reform.

• Judges must voluntarily recuse themselves from classes where clear ties exist.
• Conflict-of-interest policies need teeth — and follow-through.
• Rotating panels or international judges should be standard at major events.
• And riders, producers, and breeders must be free to speak without fear that they’re risking their careers by telling the truth.

“Everyone’s thinking it. Everyone’s saying it quietly. It’s just taken this long for someone to put it in print.”
— Competitor, 20+ years in the sport

The Bottom Line

If showing is going to survive — and thrive — in this country, the industry needs to prove that merit still wins. Not politics. Not proximity. Not reputational alliances.

Just the horse.

P.s. We will have more articles like this dropping in the coming weeks. As word got out about this piece, we’ve had more and more grassroots equestrians contact us.