Having a "reader" during a dressage test

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Love

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I'm competing in our university varsity dressage competition on friday and was just wondering if you get marked down for having a reader for the test? There is a mix of us taking part, some are having readers and some are not - just musing really. Even if you don't technically get marked down will it reflect badly on you?

Not done much dressage before so quite excited!
 
I only competed at riding club level, prelim & novice. I have never known anyone marked down for having a test called.

Hopefully someone with more experience will put your mind at rest.
 
You dont get marked down at BD level either. Even if you know the test it can be useful to have it read just in case the mind suddenly goes blank.
 
It's either allowed or it's not. If it's allowed, you don't get marked down for it. I prefer not to have one as I focus more on where I'm going if I have to remember it and so prepare my turns better! I have a good memory though (at the moment at least although it's definitely deteriorating with age :( ) so don't find memorising them too hard.
 
You will not get marked down and may get better marks if it helps you to relax and ride the test more accurately, it still helps if you learn it so are able to use the reader as a prompt rather than totally relying on them, enjoy yourself it is meant to be fun.
 
you wont get marked down but i do think its a bit lazy (sorry!)

its not that hard if you give yourself enough time to memorise it in the way that works better for you (patterns, letters etc)
 
As others have said, you won't be marked down. However I always ride better without a caller and at championships callers are often not allowed. I am very fortunate that I can read through a test once or twice and I know it - on Sunday I rode three different tests (rode one of them twice) with two horses and the only thing I forgot was the first halt on the centre line in the Elementary - but as it was our first Elem I'm not too bothered!!!
 
Thanks everyone - think ill take the advice to learn it whatever. I'll see how i feel on the day then decide if ill have a caller or not :)
 
If you know your test, you should be able to prepare for the movements better than just waiting for the caller as well. Use a caller for back-up/memory lapses.

Also if you do have a reader, some folks are better at it than others as they must give you the instruction at the right time, too late is a disaster if you don't know the test and if they get too far ahead, that also can cause mayhem.
 
I compete BUCS for my uni, we can have the test read and don't get marked down.

However I ride a lot better if I know the test, I can concentrate on what I am doing better instead of listening to someone else!
 
I often steward for local shows and at the last one I was asked to read on no fewer than 12 occasions! I didn't mind the first-timers and the people doing intro and prelim. I didn't mind the people who said they had learned the test but found once they got into the arena it disappeared from their brains. But I did have a bit of a problem with the people who turned up without a copy of the test and expected me to run around and find one (clearly I was expected to have one for every class, even though my job was officially stewarding, not reading). I did have a problem with the people who airily said "Oh, I haven't learnt it!" with a giggle. I did have a problem with the people competing at Elementary who couldn't be bothered to learn it. And I had a serious problem with the people who just expected me to do it and didn't bother to say thank you afterwards.

So, in answer to your question OP, it's absolutely fine to have a reader when you do your test, but on behalf of stewards everywhere - please learn it so you don't come across as simply too lazy to bother, even if you have the reader in case your mind goes blank. Please bring the test along with you. And if you ask the steward to read please, please say thank you! Thank you.
 
I started dabbling in unaff dressage a few years ago. I can remember any jumping course within seconds....however, dressage tests just dont stick in my mind, I can try every day to remember them, forget trying to remember two in one day!!!! For those that can great, I applaud you but we are not all blessed with that type of memory, particularly is your steed is arsing about and you get distracted!

If you can remember them great, if you cant I dont have a problem with people having a reader. I try not to use a reader for just one test, but if I am riding two I will have to have one for the second test!

It's largely up to the type of dressage and venue, and I am happy with that.
 
My OH used to be amused with my trotting and cantering round my sitting room learning the tests. I did use callers more often than not, just as a prompt, stopped me panicking if I had a senior moment.
 
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