how do i find dressage judges that need someone to write for them?

Bowen4Horses

Bowen4Horses

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as title really... i have been advised to get some experience in writing for dressage judges... as it's not a world i've ever been involved with, i was wondering how i'd go about it? do i ring local Riding Clubs? or do i have to join a club?

is it something lots of people want to do? or would i be doing them a favour (eg do i have to ring with a begging tone? or just a casual one?!?)

thank you all you lovely HHOers... :D
 
clipcloppop said:
oooh! good, i won't feel like such an idiot harrassing them then.

is it hard?

No its not hard, but you do have to listen carefully, and try not to be tempted to watch whats going on in the arena as you will easily lose your place on the sheet especially if you have not done dressage writing before. You also need to have legible handwriting.......!!!
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Maybe BE? They probably need writers usually don't they?
Ooh like Little Downham (Ely) this weekend, I'll be thereeeee :D (surely that in itself is reason enough to come) Am alternately grooming for a friend and fence judging I believe.
 
MOLLYA said:
Maybe BE? They probably need writers usually don't they?
Ooh like Little Downham (Ely) this weekend, I'll be thereeeee :D (surely that in itself is reason enough to come) Am alternately grooming for a friend and fence judging I believe.
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oh craap... that's a poo. cos i'm at hartpury on a course this weekend. when's the next one? i love little downham (as used to live just down the road, so i can pop in and see all my friends). x
 
in my experience local riding clubs are always very happy for any offer of assistance. if you dont want to join as a riding member you can join as non riding member which is usually cheaper so you then get all the info sent to you and can pick and choose which dates suit you.... ive done lots of writing and really enjoy it, but you do have to concentrate and not chat to the judge... if you say roughly where you are based someone on here may be able to help with clubs or venues....good luck:D:D
 
Contact your local riding club or show centre. My club is always desperate for writers (not in your area sadly) and you don't have to be a member. We give helpers wine too........!
 
Just look on a site like horsedates and find any local dressage shows then ring and ask. If you have never done it before, they might prefer you to sit in the back of the car for one class and get used to the idea. A riding club is more likely to bite your arm off if you offer than perhaps a BE event that might prefer experience, as some idea of what is required is useful.

The first time I wrote for a friend and was very nervous, but she was very kind and explained what worked for her. The hardest part is when several movements come at once so you write nothing much for ages, then have to scribble like mad. With one very verbal judge I couldn't keep up and had to omit a few words here and there - oops!

There is an unofficial shorthand, ie you draw a little box for square (as in halt not square but I can't find a way of typing a square) and you can draw a circle instead of writing circle. Others I can think of: Qtrs R for quarters to the right, CL for centre line, lots of others but can't think :)

Text speak doesn't go down too well, so don't write halt L8 for halt late or not str8 for not straight! There was a letter in H&H about somone upset over the judge saying their canter was horrid, when in fact the writer had misheard and written horrid instead of hurried!

Also learn to spell rhythm properly - it comes up a lot :)

ETA: Oh sorry, just implied you can't spell - didn't mean that at all! It's just whenever I am writing quickly I can never remember how to spell it - I guess rthm would do!
 
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Llewelyn said:
Just look on a site like horsedates and find any local dressage shows then ring and ask. If you have never done it before, they might prefer you to sit in the back of the car for one class and get used to the idea. A riding club is more likely to bite your arm off if you offer than perhaps a BE event that might prefer experience, as some idea of what is required is useful.

The first time I wrote for a friend and was very nervous, but she was very kind and explained what worked for her. The hardest part is when several movements come at once so you write nothing much for ages, then have to scribble like mad. With one very verbal judge I couldn't keep up and had to omit a few words here and there - oops!

There is an unofficial shorthand, ie you draw a little box for square (as in halt not square but I can't find a way of typing a square) and you can draw a circle instead of writing circle. Others I can think of: Qtrs R for quarters to the right, CL for centre line, lots of others but can't think :)

Text speak doesn't go down too well, so don't write halt L8 for halt late or not str8 for not straight! There was a letter in H&H about somone upset over the judge saying their canter was horrid, when in fact the writer had misheard and written horrid instead of hurried!

Also learn to spell rhythm properly - it comes up a lot :)

ETA: Oh sorry, just implied you can't spell - didn't mean that at all! It's just whenever I am writing quickly I can never remember how to spell it - I guess rthm would do!
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thank you!

actually, rhythm is a word i can only spell when i say the letters out loud or have my tongue stuck out the side of my mouth. wednesday is another word like that. so i should practise it beforehand!

i've looked on horsedates and there are a few low level dressage things going on over the next couple of months, so i'm going to ring up in the morning. eek! exciting! :D
 
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