Sick of unaff Dr judging- better affil?

[CrazyHippo1]

Wonder if anyone can give me a hand trying to work out what to do...

Im just geting so sick of inconsistent judging at unaff events. There are some centres I know I will always get a good judge and I go to them a lot, but other places its just so hit and miss.

In my last few dressage outings I've scored in a range of 53% up to 70.5%!!! And yet the test in which I scored 53% it felt like it should have been worth about 65%, and none of the comments matched with my test.

A lot of people I've spoken to have said I should just bite the bullet and go BD? But me and my horse are only really Prelim, just starting at Novice level...so is there much point? We've scored 62% at novice under a BD judge, so I know we won't really stand much chance with placings. I don't overly fancy being the bottom of every class we're in...but if Im going to get consistently judged so I can actually tell if Im improving then I'll go for it.

Sorry Ive rambled on. Basic question - is there any point doing BD when we're only starting at novice level, or should we wait until we're established at novice? Is the judging more consistent? I know some judges might not like you, get marked down ect but on the whole is it more consistant?

Thanks

 

[catembi]

I only compete BD for this very reason. The marks do still vary but there does seem to be a method in the madness...

Don't worry about coming last - just pick a comp where we're going, & you won't be!!

(Except we're lame atm

)

 

[RachelB]

One of the "points" of BD is that you supposedly get more consistent marking (or you at least have someone to complain to if you don't!) It shouldn't be an exclusive club for the "better rider" and you shouldn't feel you have to prove yourself at unaffiliated before you are "allowed" to compete BD. Of course you want to justify the cost of affiliating but TBH if you can afford it, go for it!

 

[Zebedee]

Just because it's an unaffiliated competition doesn't necessarily mean it was an unlisted judge !! If the venue is using a listed judge then you should get a constructive sheet back regardless of the status of the competition. There are however some very good unlisted judges out there as well. Ask around & find out who they are & then you'll know who to avoid !!

 

[CrazyHippo1]

Lame

What happened? Hope its nothing to serious

Thank you both, I will have a think (and see if theres anymore replies here) and read up a bit on the BD website

 

[dressager]

At my yard it is often the same judges that do both unaffiliated and affiliated. Of course, there is still variation amongst them, with some classes rarely being won on over 70%. You soon get to know how they judge and what they like!

 

[Matafleur]

Why not just do Prelims at affiliated if you're not sure yet? That way you don't need to buy a ticket and you will still get placed and prize money.

Then when you are winning everything you can affiliate and do the Novices

 

[CrazyHippo1]

Oh I know, theres several centres I go to for Trailblazers dressage and they always have a good judge. But there are other times, Ill just go to "unaffiliated dressage" and the judging is all over the place

 

[lizzie_liz]

Dont be afraid of coming last if you were to go BD, I have taken my horse BD and did Novice dressage and we were not the flashy warmblood or one who got high scores.
However I was always placed when I went BD and I always got low to mid 60's.

Try BD on a ticket or Prelim BD and see how you get on then if you like it, go for it.

 

[cruiseline]

Bite the bullet and have a go, even if its on a ticket. There will always be variation in what people want to see, be it affiliated or unaffiliated competitions.

Welcome to the big wide world of dressage!!!!!! Perhaps we should re-name it. "My Opinion", with the objective of "You Don't Have To Agree With Me"

 

[henryhorn]

We have entered at some venues that had two classes running UN-and BD, and I would say definitely go and have a bash.
Just because a horse is registered doesn't mean it is a much higher standard than yours, and the only way to find out is try.
Where the class was mixed with two lots of prizes our horse would have been 2nd in both classes, so don't automatically assume you will get thrashed...
And at least the judging should be consistent, though our horse who events gets between 22 and 36 yet he without fail always does a good test! He's normally in the top 3 after the dressage so it can't be him being different, it's the judges marking differently according to what they are looking for.
I'd go for it!

 

[lucretia]

and i judge unaff quite often and i am sure i am not the only listed judge who does but the standard is getting better and better so be sure its worth it for you if you affiliate

 

[dozzie]

Why dont you do affiliated prelims to try it out? You dont have to be a member but you have to be in the open section. It is what i am doing at the moment.

 

[CrazyHippo1]

Thanks all

I think we will give some aff Prelim a go then if we dont have to join for it. See what happens! x