Dressage Judge ... your help needed please

[Llwyncwn]

Have just got home after judging W&T at local PC.

The class was split between juniors and seniors. Out of the 3 juniors, one was on a lead rein which came 2nd. While in the clubhouse, bacon roll in hand, the mother of the child which came 3rd came on to me quite cross that her little angel was beaten by the child on the lead rein

Her question, which to me is a valid point ... why wasnt the child on the lead rein penalised on collective marks ?

Good point I said. Andrew Gardner (cough) didnt cover this in his training seminar

I quietly explained that I have to judge what I see and mark accordingly. She must take it up with PC.

I havnt come across this before but Im sure I will again. Can you lovely judges tell me if I was correct, or guide me gently in the right direction

 

[carmenlucy123]

i think its such a shame that these mothers worry about placings.

 

[Bananaman]

My sympathies are with you. At PC it always seem to be the parents that are more trouble than the children!

Our affiliated RC holds W&T tests and whilst leading reins are allowed, as are non legal bits and/or martingales, their use incurs a penalty. Off my head I can't remember how much but I'm thinking it is 10 marks.
However, I think that each club would have it's own rules.

The trouble is that W&T tests aren't recognised by BD and so are not covered by their rules.
You did the right thing to send them in the direction of the PC 'cos as you said you can only judge what's in front of you.

 

[lorenababbit]

now you know why i am very leery about judging pc classes! and i dont believe there is a guide line but personally i would always have the child ridding unassisted placed higher. after all i have been known to do piaffe and passage..... while on a school master on long lines but i dont think carl hester need worry about me being so grand with out the former spanish riding school instructor giving me a hand!!

 

[Partoow]

Ah pony club mothers!!

Its because you're so nice that you get asked to do these things

You made the best decision you could with the 'tools' you have.Like you say judge training does'nt cover such eventualities

Its easy for me to sit here in hind sight and say i would do this or that so please excuse me but i would have probably used the collectives in the rider , effect and use of aids collective? That would give you a way of giving those riding 'unassisted' a higher mark.
Like i say easy to comment on in hind sight!

 

[Imonone]

Poor you but try not to worry about it too much.

That is all part of judging and the learning process, we all have good and bad days and days where we are faced with something completely new.

It can be hard having to justify our marks to competitors but in the end its good for the sport to consider each others point of view and be open and transparent.

Pony club mums of course can be biased, as can very other sort of mum xx

 

[Llwyncwn]

Thanks everyone. I have just spoken to my trainer who tends to agree with you that I should probably have reflected lead rein in collectives.

Easy in hind sight. Learning curve does come to mind