In The Judge's Seat

Recently my club held a Dressage competition.  I didn't take part in the competition so I offered to do some pencilling for a Dressage judge.  I did it out of pure desire to help and volunteer, because I don't get to volunteer much on other occasions.  I learnt far more than I had bargained for.

The judge I was pencilling for was judging grade 4 HRCAV - my own level.  I didn't get to see much of the dressage tests.  I found I really didn't need to see much to understand the comments.  Keeping up with the writing wasn't too bad, and I got better at the shorthand towards the end.  We were judging for supposedly 4 hours.  When I first heard this I groaned - at home, where no one could hear.  But the time just flew!

We were given a delicious morning tea, and a top up of coffee.  And as a additional bonus, the judge I was pencilling for was very funny. 

Here are the most important lessons I've learnt.

The Dressage Judge is not out to get you.  Really?!  OMG, I thought she was.  Most of the time when your pony is misbehaving she is there barracking for you!

The Dressage Judge knows about horses.  No way?  Who would have thought?  She knows that they are flighty animals, and that sometimes you are doing a sensational job just executing the movements.  She just wishes you would take a breath and relax.  Because then the horse will travel better.

Consistency.  Most of us lack consistency.  We need to be there, balancing our horse between hand and leg every single stride, for the entire duration of the test.  Do I need to repeat that in capitals?  Medium walk is not an opportunity to have a rest.  And the horse needs more balancing in the corners.

Forward.  The horse must be going forward - but not on the forehand.  It cannot feel like it's about to fall out of the canter back into trot.  It cannot feel like it would rather walk than trot.  The rider must create forward.  Even at the walk.  Even at the long rein walk.

Precision.  Your test must be precise.  So if it says transition from canter to trot between B and M that means somewhere about 6m after B, but before M.  It does not mean you can fall out of the canter at B.

Readiness.  If your horse is clearly not ready to compete, due to lack of experience, then think carefully whether you need to bother the judge with your horse seriously going sideways down the centerline and doing unscripted pirouttes.  It is very difficult to judge (and pencil for) such a test.  Wouldn't it be better for you, for the horse, and for your wallet to come to the competition, warm up, and ride quietly in the arena during breaks?  Without actually taking part of the competition?

And finally - do some pencilling.  You'll actually start understanding what the judge was really talking about in all those comments on your last test.