Online dressage scores- high?

[Fruitcake]

After thinking about it for ages, I finally bit the bullet and entered an online dressage competition. I was actually really pleased with what I thought was a totally acceptable first test score of 65% for intro.

Looking at the other scores and videos, however, it seems that mid to high seventies seems not at all unusual! In my opinion, some of these horses and / or riders seem way above intro level. Is this the norm for online competitions?

I need to add that I didn't enter intending to be placed, mainly to see how I would do and to maybe try to beat my own score month on month. I'm just curious about the way things tend to work. Are scores, in general, higher online?

 

[Vodkagirly]

I would presume that with the online tests, lot of people keep redoing there tests until they have there "perfect" one. Hence higher scores.
On the other hand I went to a dressage competition last night and the standard was really high. I followed an instructor in and another was going in after me. I had a lovely sheet and the horses best score of 69% but that wasn't enough to get placed. I do think dressage standards are getting higher.

 

[Shay]

Agree with Vodkagirly that people only send in their very best efforts. Plus of course your horse is at home so more relaxed not having to cope with an unfamiliar environment, rider not as nervous etc.

I haven't done online dressage myself but a couple of folk at the yard do. They will happily take all afternoon to get the "perfect" dressage test, doing it again and again. Its a lovely way for people to be engaged and get more or less independent feedback. But it isn't in any way equivalent to competition.

 

[Stinkyhorses]

I think that scores are able to go a bit higher, but also more accurate with the ability to now use 1/2 scores as a judge.

It also seems to be based on the AREA you compete in. I see some tests that score 70+% and in the area that I am it would be more like a 58% test!

Some venues only use affiliated judges, but there are now a lot more about for UA comps. Each judge at the start of the day pick the mark they class as the average score.. normally 5 or 6 as I understand.. so sometimes that can mean the difference in 60% or 70% tests.

I fully support that marking should be encouraging yet still realistic.

My first ever Intro DSG test on my 4 year old Yak many moons ago at a local show gave me 79% - this was NOT realistic at all!! It was a disaster even involving us leaving the arena. Not knowing much about DSG when I went out the next time and barely scraped 50% it was a bit discouraging. I'd unknowingly set myself up for a fall!
Even re-doing tests over and over again if you don't know what a judge is looking for you still won't get the top marks

 

[puppystitch]

I did a few online tests last year and found that online scores were a couple of % higher than I was getting at shows. I would only got through the test once though, and submit that video - I don't have the time or the inclination to be going through it again and again for the sake of 1 or 2%. I found it very useful as a training guide for pointers as to where I was going wrong or could gain extra points for the real deal rather than thinking of it as a competition.

 

[daydreamer]

I did my first online dressage test last month. Clearly I am a numpty as I warmed up and then just did the test once like a normal dressage competition!

The videoing was a little bit hit and miss in places so I entered as a "training class" where you aren't in direct competition with others and you get more feedback. I got 65% which I think was about fair. I was amazed that when I looked up the judge it was a list 1 judge (it was only a prelim test!) so I'll happily take her comments

 

[EQUIDAE]

I used to use the one that had the 'training classes' but found the comments weren't much better than the standard score sheet even though more expensive. I now use a different one and if you get monthly membership (the equivalents of 1 or 2 classes) you get video feedback for free. Also they have mid month and end of month classes so the classes aren't huge - on one of the others there were 60 competitors in the intro which was ridiculous for a £20 prize...

ETA - the one I am now on will not let you enter more than one class higher than your lowest and if you get a 1-3 placing you cannot compete at that level next time (it stops the pot hunters but is a pain if your horse isn't ready for the next level)

 

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I used to use the one that had the 'training classes' but found the comments weren't much better than the standard score sheet even though more expensive. I now use a different one and if you get monthly membership (the equivalents of 1 or 2 classes) you get video feedback for free. Also they have mid month and end of month classes so the classes aren't huge - on one of the others there were 60 competitors in the intro which was ridiculous for a £20 prize...

ETA - the one I am now on will not let you enter more than one class higher than your lowest and if you get a 1-3 placing you cannot compete at that level next time (it stops the pot hunters but is a pain if your horse isn't ready for the next level)

This is the site im using currently. I have a membership and for 15 a month you get a monthly magazine, a test entry, a standard BD test sheet and a feedback video. Its really good.

 

[Fruitcake]

This is the site im using currently. I have a membership and for 15 a month you get a monthly magazine, a test entry, a standard BD test sheet and a feedback video. Its really good.

Ooh. Is this e-dressage? I had a look at this earlier. May give that one a go.

I also videoed my first test. I'm not actually sure how many extra marks I'd manage to achieve doing it again and again.

The points about horses being more relaxed at home make sense. I do think a lot of the intro videos I saw were from people way above the level they were entered at though. That aside, I do think I'll enter another. The comments were encouraging and the points for improvement were helpful so I'll be trying to beat my score next time!

 

[puppystitch]

I find the opposite, mine loves to show off at competitions - she definitely knows when she enters the ring and puts her dancing shoes on. At home she doesn't bother!

 

[FabioandFreddy]

Some score higher - i've found that i'm getting similar scores at home as i do out....but then horsey doesn't hot up at shows....and i also only do 1 attempt for video and send it in! You don't get 50 chances to get it right if you're out do you?! So I do it as if i'm out and about as i think then you're getting a fair reflection and know what to expect when you are out.

There are rules on 1 of the online ones that state you have to move up a level if you have 5 scores at 'x%' or above - the rule is being broken by a few who are getting ridiculously high scores and are over their 5 scores at that level yet nothing been done about it. Kind of put me off entering tbh as feel its unfair. But may switch and use one of the others!