Judging dressage for beginners - what do they look for??

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smirnoff_ice

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As the title really!

I'm talking walk & trot tests here. Went to one the other day and was shocked at how it was judged! I'd expected them to have much lower expectations.
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Or did i just get a mean judge??
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Well actually she WAS a grumpy old bag and was v.snotty with me & mum, but i was just wondering what they're SUPPOSED to look for??

Thank you!
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Lou.
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relaxed, forward, balanced, in some sort of self-carriage, reasonably accurately ridden, straight on straight lines and showing a bit of correct supple bend around corners, i think.
did you get any encouraging comments? at that level, i think the judge really should find something positive and encouraging/nicely educational to say, tbh.
 
She mostly just said things like "very tense", "uneven rein contact" (i can honestly say that i dont think it was!), commented on how her bends weren't perfect enough, etc. etc. Yet she jogged in one of the walks and that didnt get a mention! She said "nice transition"!!
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She worked in a lovely outline for about 95% of the test and i was REALLY pleased with her, but the judge wasnt! There were about 9 of us in the class and we came LAST!!!
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The kid that came SECOND was about 6 years old and rode a little shetland that razzed around with it's nose in the air and moved like a plank of wood around corners/circles!
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However...her mommy was friends with the judge!
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It was Moll's first ever test and i was really proud of her, so just wondered if we're likely to get somewhere next time or if there shouldnt BE a next time!!!
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Ho hum...we'll get there...one day!
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i agree with kerill !! and welcome to the world of dressage!! no matter how it goes i ALWAYS try and take something possitive home with me, you know your horse, and your horse went well for you on that day!! Its very diff to get all judges to think the same. Have done bulk standard tests and had many diff marks. All you can ask for is a nice relaxed, supple horse working ova its back upto and into a nice contact!!
 
I hold walk/trot tests at our Riding Club dressage shows and have written for them before.

Our judges normally look for a nice relaxed test which is accurately ridden e.g. to markers, riding circles not squares, straight centre lines etc. The rider should be on the right diagonal. The horse does not have to be in an outline but not resisting the contact.

Sounds like you had a very harsh judge to be honest (although I do find the better I think the test went, the worse score I get
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You can always (politely) ask the judge what they think after the test - BUT it is a one way conversation, you keep quiet & listen - do not argue

It can be useful to get the test videoed, then read through "in time" to what the judge said - can make things clearer
 
I've had a similar experience to you, I took the ar$e & never went back to that venue!

They tend to have the same judges at this particular venue so I go elsewhere but check who's judging!

Try it, I'm sure you'll have a whole new experience somewhere else!
 
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tbh she prob thought the kid on the vile shetland needed lots of encouragement, and you looked as if you had a lot more idea what you were doing, and didn't need the encouragement!

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I've been there, both in dressage and showing. I was beaten by a kid on an ancient pony who didn't canter at all, the judge explained her placings by saying the kid needed encouraging - and I didn't? it was only my 2nd show ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm doing the walk/trot tests atm, and it sounds as though you had a harsh judge. Don't give up.
 
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tbh she prob thought the kid on the vile shetland needed lots of encouragement, and you looked as if you had a lot more idea what you were doing, and didn't need the encouragement!

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I did some dressage on my green spooky youngster at the weekend - only our 2nd prelim having done a few W&T tests. Yes she was sharp and spooky, she went on the wrong lead and broke back to trot - but so did a lot of the class.

Including the horse that trundled round with it's nose poked out, in no outline at all, the rider thumping away at its side with her legs the whole way round, it was late to canter, went on the wrong lead, came back to trot, stayed in trot, came back to walk, halted, looked around, had a poo (all the while the rider just sitting there, making no effort to get it back to canter) and it still beat us!!!!

I do sometimes think that children get marked with a different criteria - especially at unaffiliated comps with unlisted judges.

Try not to let it put you off and how about going to a venue that use list judges for W&T tests.
 
As regards W & T tests, the horse should be on the bit and in an outline, the rider does not have to be on the correct diagonal but the horse would probably be better balanced if they were. The dressage judge is not looking for the correct diagonal. But for a relaxed forwards, supple happy horse, on the bit with balanced obedient transitions, a steady elastic rein contact, and above all the correct footfalls and rhythm. Also check that the judges who judge these classes are listed or trainee judges and not someone's auntie or friend just "having a go" at judging, because this is how misunderstandings can happen.
 
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