Dressage judges and stringhalt - Any experiences?

[Letslip]

So mixed day out at our party today - very very proud of the little munchkin who on her 2nd ever outing was impeccable - if we ignore the tantrum she pulled in the warm up arena!!!

However for the 2nd week running now on our test sheet it has been pointed out to me that my horse has stringhalt resulting in today the judge putting in her comments 'spoilt hind leg action in walk effected mark' (am hoping that this judge realised that the 'spoilt hind leg action' was stringhalt).

Now I understand that it's not the most attractive thing in the world and at a higher level would impede performance, however we are talking about a walk and trot test and our loss in marks here dropped us 3% and a placing of 2nd to 4th!

Just think it's a tad unfair at this level that it seems to be having an effect - I can't do anything about it really, I know she has it, it doesn't need to be pointed out to me.

Just wondering if anyone else has ever come up against something like this themselves at lower levels and whether I just accept that from now on am probably going to drop several percent and possible placings because of this!

 

[wellsat]

I'm surprised that you've had a problem TBH. My friend's horse competes at BE with stringhalt and has never had it mentioned or lost marks for it. I'd probably chalk it up to experience and hope you don't get that judge again.

 

[Letslip]

Thanks absolute diva - that gives me hope

 

[waterlily]

Unfortunately, it affects the rhythm of the pace, so it WILL (and should) be picked up on in a dressage test as the marking is based on the scales of training, rhythm being the first of these. I know of some very good dressage riders/judges/instructors who say that they would never buy a horse with stringhalt even if it were perfect in every other way. Obviously if you aren't wanting to get to top level with it and are just wanting it to enjoy, it is something you will have to take with a pinch of salt and try not to worry about. It doesn't hold the horse back so you can still enjoy it. But dressage judges will have to mention it im afraid, don't be put out, they are just doing their job properly

 

[Letslip]

Thanks waterlilly - will now put a different spin on it and look at my sheet with the knowledge that the judge knows what they are doing and be pleased that I have an experienced judge if it gets mentioned again!!

 

[humblepie]

Years ago I seem to recall someone I knew had a horse with stringhalt and they did service teams things (the RAF/Army events etc) and I think she used to put a letter or note in with the entry that the horse had stringhalt which may or may have got to passed to the judges. May just have been so that she didn't get asked whether or not the horse was sound rather than anything else.