Diagonals - Q for dressage judges/riders

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Halfstep

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If a rider is rising on the wrong diagonal during a trot movement in a test, do you mark it down? If so, how much? Do you comment on it? I was watching some prelim tests the other day and noticed that one rider was consistently on the wrong diagonal, but the horse was nicely balanced and correct, showing rhythm and relaxation and engaged through the corners. I was curious to know what judges would do in this case.

I was always taught that there was technically no such thing as a "wrong" diagonal, but that it does help balance horses to sit when we do. When I rode in France briefly I was really surprised that they considered our "wrong" diagonal to be correct.

Any thoughts?

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I would comment and do if i think the balance is being compromised,i dont think , for me that i would actually take any marks of per se for the movements because if balance and rhythm were being compromised then that would be where the marks were being lost in the test. I would point out this so to hopefully help in the future especially as at these levels riders are quite often new to the game and i would like them to understand the why as well as the where marks were lost. It would probably be reflected also in the collectives in the rider mark, the corract use and effect of aids. prob one mark .Saying that however i would rather a incorrect diagonal than abad sitting trot!!
 
I have really bad eyesight, and before I learnt how to feel what diagonal was on, I couldnt see my horses shouder well enough to tell! Very few judges commented on my inability to tell what diagonal I was on, irrelevant of whether they should or not!
 
Well, not being a judge, my personal opinion is that riding on the incorrect diagonal ought to be reflected in the collectives, but not the score for the movement unless causing a problem (i.e. loss of balance). But should it be marked down in collectives??? Is it technically a rider fault? Or just a convention?
 
I am really naughty and have ALWAYS ridden on the wrong diaginal - will prob get shot down now by you all!!

But it feels too weird to change now so stay the same! I have produced to babies and ridden and won many many dressage tests.

And got an 8 for my position @ Poplar Park
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I once rode a whole test on the wrong diagonal
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I even changed my diagonal when I changed the rein! I only realised when I watched the video back
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. I didnt get marked down for it and me and my horse were both balanced. Ive got to admit that I do cringe when I watch the video.
 
I have to admit that fter riding for 20 years, and going through Pony Club, I can not do my diagonals. I have now given up trying as I spend so much time faffing about trying to work out which diagonal i'm on I lose my trot. I have never had a comment on my sheet about it and even my instructor, who is a listed judge said that the judge is more concerned with the way the horse is going that what the rider is doing.
 
I agree madmare, i judge in my local area and at the low levels you're looking for the general way of going and if that is balanced, forward and correct there is no way i would take marks off for "wrong" diagonal.
I would probably put a little comment in the collectives but still not take marks off if their position is correct.
 
I am a *continent* rider, I ride on the incorrect (as you guys would call it) diagonal - I sit as the inside leg is on the ground, and to me this makes sense as it is more in balance with the horse (my opinion only of course!) I was only made aware of it recently by a *proper* dressage trainer!
 
maybe we should aks the question what diagonal do you think is correct.?
Having spent quite a few years o the 'continent ' i have 'nt been aware of the teaching being any different than that which was taught to me at pony club a long time ago! that being bum in the saddle when the inside hind leg is on the ground. The reasoning behind it in my understanding that you want to allow the inside hind leg the freedom to swing through under the horse especially on circles and turns where the engagement of the hind leg is vital interms of balance.So by rising through this swing phase of the hind leg you are allowing this freedom for the hind leg to step through. Well it makes sense to me but you guys may have other ideas. Interesting though seeing how people view ideas that may be taken for granted or we just never think of asking about.
 
I have been told by a couple of PSG level riders that it doesnt matter about diagonals in tests, I have one horse who feels horrid if ridden on the 'wrong' diagonal, on the other hand I have ridden some tricky horses that can only be ridden on the same diagonal on both reins!
Do what you are comfortable with
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A 'wrong' diagonal should not be marked down or commented on by a BD judge. It is not part of the criteria that we are looking at. There are some different schools of thought as to which is the correct one anyway so there is no way that what we tend to think of in the UK as correct can be judged to be the only correct way.

Any loss of balance would be marked down accordingly but IME as a rider, trainer and judge, it is very rare that such problems are ever caused by a so called wrong diagonal.
 
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