Well next season will be my son's 4th year of riding WP. My husband thinks judging is done by what big barn someone is from and how fancy the horse is. I said that this is a Leadline class. So at the last show he took the video and was sure to show each kid and who the judge was looking at. He thinks that the judge was judging as the kids walked in. Keep in mind this is a leadline class. Well anyway my son placed 3rd in the w/t. I think that is about right because his one leg does move foward at the trot. But my husband said the second place kid was just holding on and the reins were just hanging. Then he said that because my son is the only one on a pony everyone else is on their parents horse. I know some political goes into the shows but Im wonder if judges for WP don't like to see ponies. He does really well in Trail, this pony can do the 360 turn with ease and no problem on the bridge and tarp. I think we should have gotten first in one of the shows. So does anyone have any WP judging experience and can give adivse? I think my son does not place well in the flat is because he REALLY needs to polish up his riding, my husband thinks its because he is riding a pony. I miss barrel racing.