General Burton

[Classical DQ]

I rode for General Burton this past weekend. The tests comments from him were so refreshing...one word, to the point, positive! He was right on with the areas that need improvement. It is incredible that he continues to give of his time to improve the sport.

[War Admiral]

That must have been really a thrill!! He's an amazing horseman and one of the last of his kind. ANY discipline you can name, he knows more about it than most of its devotees. Superb old-school horseman.

[canyonoak]

Amamzing that so many current judges do not understand the value of positive thinking and commentary.

How I wish there were more horsemen like Gen. Burton in the judge world!

[NoDQhere]

Amamzing that so many current judges do not understand the value of positive thinking and commentary.

How I wish there were more horsemen like Gen. Burton in the judge world!

You sure hit the nail on the head! Gen Burton is always positive. I think a lot of it is that he actually rode and trained many many horses so he has an understanding of what it takes. He has respect for the riders and seems to honestly want to "help". I don't think I have ever seen a test ridden under him where there were not positive comments.

[FriesianX]

A few months ago, I scribed for a judge who also was quite positive, even made the point to tell me WE (she meant judges) have a responsibility to be more positive, especially with lower level rides if we want our sport to survive. I posted about the on "the other bulletin board" and was lambasted because judges should be tougher, more honest, blah blah. Personally, I love seeing a judge that is pleasant, courteous, and finds positive things to say about most rides.

In the USDF L program (I am a graduate), the faculty make a point of finding positives. Beginning "judgettes" quickly learn to focus on the negative, what went wrong. The faculty make it clear pretty early on that will NOT get you through the program!

Nice to hear a positive about a judge - and one with a lengthy and impressive resume :yes:

[magnum]

Also have ridden for him ... but had more fun scribing for him ...
:yes: :lol:
A truly great character in every sense of the word ...

Magnum

[lizathenag]

Glad to hear he is still alive!

[Mariequi]

Good Lord! Please add more than a name to a thread heading. I was afraid he'd passed! He'll probably outlive us all though.

[ShotenStar]

Judges can be 'tough' and 'positive' at the same time.

Many years ago, I rode a rather poor first level test. The numerical scores accurately rated its 'poor-ness', but the written comments made me feel that all was not lost, that I could improve, and there was light at the end of the tunnel. Those comments made me work twice as hard to improve. The numerical score coupled with negative comments probably would have made me quit altogether.

*Star*

[Ibex]

I made HASH of a test in front of an "I" judge a while ago... but she still some positive comments that I still consider the highlight of my showing career...

[Touchstone Farm]

I agree about Major-General Burton. The contributions he has made to the sport are inspiring. They showed a video of him at last year's USDF conference when they inducted him into the Hall of Fame. I knew he had done a lot for the sport, but I had no idea he did SO much! He is such a gentleman, and I'm honored that he gave me the last scores I needed for my Silver and Gold Medals. He is positive, perhaps a bit more "generous" than other judges, but his comments are spot-on.


As an aside, does anyone know if a DVD is available of that USDF video? It would be a great thing for GMOs to show and use.

[slc2]

Most railbirds are extremely critical. Judges usually aren't.

[Arathita]

Most railbirds are extremely critical. Judges usually aren't.

How does this relate to the thread?

[nhwr]

General Burton is a gentleman and a scholar. Anyone who has the benefit of his input is fortunate.

'Fess up, slc.
Sometimes there are judges who act like they are sitting on a pine cone.

[slc2]

Sure there are, but no matter how wedged that pinecone may be, judges aren't as bad as railbirds.:D

[poltroon]

I loved scribing for him.

[ESG]

Ditto poltroon - the General is an amazing experience! :yes:

When I scribed for him a few years ago, I did my usual and asked the standard scribe questions - do you give the score for the movement, then the comments? His reply - "I have one-word comments. I hate these judges who try to give a lesson on a go#$*amned score sheet."

I love that man. :yes:

He's the last of his kind and a privilege to ride/scribe/clinic with. I would strongly advise anyone with any of the aforementioned opportunities to avail themselves, immediately. To hell with WAZ - JRB is king!

[Foxtrot's]

When he judged my test at Mountain Meadows, Wa., I thought I had really "arrived".