Hi Sungold,
This is the first year Congress will have three judges. They have always had one for the Classics, One for the Moderns, a judge for the Amateur division and a judge for the futurity.
With 475 Shetlands last year (biggest show ever) and the possibility of more this year, won't know how the rest of the old time pony breeders/handlers will take to the new program. Remember the majority rules and if they don't like it then a proposal will have to be submitted at convention to overturn this ruling for the three judge system.
Mini nationals 1998 was our first experience with this "MOS" system, so know first hand what the outcome can be. We had a "B" gelding that showed well under all three judges throughout the open session of the show and one of those judges never even used him on his card. We ended up winning National Grand Champion that year. Sometimes it doesn't make any sense but apparently it works.
Thanks,
Karen Shaw
Fiddlestix Miniatures & Shetlands
Burleson Texas