Dressage Writing

[SaddlePsych'D]

I've just watched the BE webinar on fence judging but have a question about dressage writing as this wasn't really the topic of the session. They briefly mentioned that you need to have knowledge of dressage terminology, which I think I do - could anyone give me some examples just so I can get an idea? I'm hoping to get to some events by volunteering this year. Also got fence judging in mind and hoping a friend will join me for that because I've never done it before.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I think there are some examples on the BD website.

 

[TPO]

Memorize how to spell rhythm. Always gets me ?

 

[Tiddlypom]

I got stumped with 'exuberant' once!

Aka bucking

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Haha yes!

Is it just things like bend, straightness, impulsion, transition etc?

I'll have a look on BD website.

Also how is it working with Covid? I'm low risk, vaccinated, lateral flow testing, and happy with all the ppe stuff but imagine there's social distancing to take into account still.

 

[milliepops]

Rhythm Has Your Two Hips Moving

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I've done one marked test in my life, it was years ago and literally all I can remember it said was 'well ridden on a lazy day!' (they were being nice, RS pony had been so unco-operative!)

 

[milliepops]

There were some practice ones on the bd website where you had to try and jot down the comments as the judge made them on a video.

It helps if you know the test fairly well so you can prompt the judge if they miss a mark, or so you can figure out which movement a comment relates to.
(Or if a competitor misses out a movement! )

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

My best advice...

#1 agree which movement you'll check you're on the same one as the judge (tell them you're new to it and they'll confirm movement number at good times).

#2 Watch the test before so you can see which have a few scores coming close together (requires speedier writing).

#3 Watch out for speedy horses, you'll have to write quicker!

 

[milliepops]

The writing I've done since covid has depended on judge and venue. At the belated winter champs at Hartpury there were screens between judge and writer, it was between the 2 of you if you wore masks in the box, all the windows and doors were open.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Ooh I've found the BD tips/guidelines doc - I like they have included the rhythm spelling issue. Just as well because it turns out I just struggled to spell it just then haha!

I'm guessing not wildly different in terms of comments for BE dressage? I know it's scored differently. I've offered my services for an unaff. horse trials later in April

 

[milliepops]

Ooh I've found the BD tips/guidelines doc - I like they have included the rhythm spelling issue. Just as well because it turns out I just struggled to spell it just then haha!

I'm guessing not wildly different in terms of comments for BE dressage? I know it's scored differently. I've offered my services for an unaff. horse trials later in April

Its scored the same as you go thru the test, it's just for horse trials they use the penalty score instead of the % of marks received. So a 65% test BD would be 35 pens for eventing.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Its scored the same as you go thru the test, it's just for horse trials they use the penalty score instead of the % of marks received. So a 65% test BD would be 35 pens for eventing.

Ah I see, thank you

 

[JackFrost]

I've done it several times, all pre covid, and really enjoy it. Each judge is different. They each have their favourite words and expressions, none of them complicated. Make sure you can spell things like impulsion, straightness etc= it doesn't matter if you spell them wrong, but you don't want to waste time thinking.
Concentrate on the writing - you won't have much time to watch. Just write what the judge says, word for word. Try to be legible.
The hardest thing I found was making sure the number score and comment goes against the correct part of the test sequentially.
You get useful insight into what judges are looking for, and sometimes a feel that they just 'like' certain horses or riders.

 

[milliepops]

There are some abbreviations you can use. Some judges will tell you their preferred abbreviations. But in general e.g. drawing a box or writing Sq. is short for square, likewise you can draw a circle.

Imp = impulsion
Coll = collection
Bal = balance

Etc...

Take pens, you don't always get them esp at the moment.

 

[Red-1]

I have done writing for BD test judging and also Trailblazer, and been the judge for Trailblazer.

If the judge is clear and organised, it is a breeze. They usually give the comment first, then the mark. If they say the mark, that means no comment for that movement, so you write the mark then move your pen ready to the next comment box.

When writing, I write the word rhythm on a piece of paper in the clip of the clipboard!

Always check that the number on the sheet matches the bridle number.

 

[milliepops]

Some judges ask you to keep a record of the collective scores.

Pray you don't get one that also wants you to write the final comments ? I wrote an FEI test for Nick Burton last year which was excellent from a rider education Pov but my bloody hands were knackered afterwards because all he did was sign his name ?

 

[scats]

I love writing for the judge. I try to volunteer to do it a couple of times a year. Rhythm is one I always remind myself how to spell before I start!

 

[Jeni the dragon]

I love doing it, though I've only ever done it for driven dressage!
Ask any questions you have before you get started and make sure you have a selection of writing implements. You'll soon learn which phrases they use.

 

[j1ffy]

I did it for the first time when I was very much a dressage novice - I'd probably done an Intro or two by then although I had watched a lot! I did it at a BE event then and it went smoothly. The judge was very friendly and helpful and it was interesting to see a wide range of riders from top pros to people who looked like they'd come straight off an old-school hunting field

 

[Gloi]

Start off writing at unaffiliated events. They are always short of writers. Before covid I often did it.

 

[Pippity]

I love doing it. It's taught me so much about what judges are looking for, and I'm really looking forward to getting back to it. (I still can't actually provide what they're looking for, but it's something to aim for!)

My first time doing it, I just told the judge I was new, she explained how she liked to do things, and things went really smoothly. As others have said, always check the bridle number against the score sheet. I've caught a couple of mix-ups that could have been embarrassing, and could also have impacted somebody's Trailblazers scores.

 

[Littlebear]

When I was judging I used to go over with the writers before starting - keep collectives, check they were happy with abbreviations and spelling - took a few mins - mostly I was given super experienced writers but sometimes someone would be there that had never done it before and I would take the time to go over it. Once you have done one you will be in the swing of it, if you are given a round number rather than a .5 make sure you put .0 after so if judge says 6 write 6.0, this stops anyone adding a .5 on!
Remember that the judge will have their head down at the end of the test while riders are swapping over so if you can check the numbers and who the next person is matches the list etc that will help them alot.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Fabulous! Thank you for all the tips

 

[Lois Lame]

There are some abbreviations you can use. Some judges will tell you their preferred abbreviations. But in general e.g. drawing a box or writing Sq. is short for square, likewise you can draw a circle.

Imp = impulsion
Coll = collection
Bal = balance

Etc...

Take pens, you don't always get them esp at the moment.

Agreed. (Except for 'box'. Draw a square

Sometimes I would forget to write the abreviations and this seemed to frustrate one judge.

"Crooked on See El," she said after a time. I was totally confused by this remark. Pen stopped completely.

It finally tweaked. 'C.L.' I drew a wobbly line then added 'on CL'. But I wish she had left the shortening of words to me, even if I did sometimes write them out in full by mistake.

BTW, I've never forgotten how to spell rhythm. I learned it esp for pencilling (now called writing). There is no 'e'.

 

[Lois Lame]

Oh, one more thing. I never interrupted a judge's concentration during the test, other than to say, "A mark...?"

Sometimes she would say, "I'll come back to that mark later," and I would move on to the next movement on the sheet, awaiting any comment and/or score.

 

[Lizacate]

Very important for Horse Trials, don't write the competitor number and name etc. until they actually appear for the test. Never anticipate the next horse, very difficult for the BE Steward to determine which horse was judged when they have a query. It does happen!

 

[Britestar]

Contact your local RC and offer to write for dressage comps.
They'll be delighted, and you get lots of experience.

 

[ihatework]

I’ve done loads of writing (and also did judge training). I love doing it, you learn so much.

For a novice writer the main things I’d say is learn the test and how the movements are separated. Learn abbreviations just in case you get a judge who gives lots of comments. Try and identify quick movements - ie those where a comment/mark will come very quickly on from the previous one - eg a mark just for a transition (these are also ones that judges frequently forget to give).

If you get a ditsy judge, which does happen occasionally - eg they forget to give marks for a movement, I find it easier to identify you haven’t had a mark, leave a gap but tell judge, move onto next movement without getting either you or them into a fluster. The gap can be filled at the end.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Talking of ditsy judges, I had one at BE who 'forgot' to give the collective marks for several competitors after I handed her the sheet after the test was over. She wrote the comments for the collectives, but gave no marks.

It's not something I've ever checked before, as I'd finshed my writing and was straight on to spotting the next competitor, checking their number and entering their details on a fresh sheet. The judge put her 'completed' sheets face down in the car waiting for collection by the steward, I've never been asked to or thought to check them before.

That was embarassing. Although I was then on it to check that subsequent sheets were correctly filled in, there was still quite a backlog of sheets being returned from the poor scorers.