Dressage - which is right?

[parsley]

I have only competed at prelim level but was wondering - is it better to do tests where the movements are broken down a lot rather than a number of movements being put together? The other day I did 7 and 12 - the 12 had 10 marks for up the centre line and halt whereas 7 had a lot more in this last movement. My instructor felt that 7 was better as if we did a lousey halt it wouldn't matter so much as the judge would have to take the other movements into account but I wondered whether 12 was better as more marks in total would mean that a lousey halt was a smaller % of the marks - 7 was out of 120 and 12 was out of 170 (not inclusind the collectives).

Not sure if this makes sense

 

[star]

i would much rather have a test marked out of a higher number - more movements means that if you mess one up, you've got plenty more to make up on!

 

[Partoow]

Where the tests are broken down into clearer questions are much better, especially because many of these tests concentrate on the transitions and give marks for them. they therefore give you far better guidance as to where your weak/strong points are in a test.
When judging i much prefer these tests as it allows me to use the scale of marks better. For example say there was a movement that had a transition to canter then a 20m circle and then a transition may end up a 6. if it were broken down to transition to canter 6, 20m circle 7 , transition to trot 5. this would give you much clearer picture of the test and its requirement than the 6.
I hope that also explains judging a bit!!!!

 

[parsley]

Yes - that does make sense thanks - more marks gives better feedback and mistakes means fewer marks lost