slight rant - dressage

[sherbet]

Went off to a dressage show yesterday with my daughter age 12 to do the walk and trot test.
To start there where 32 in the class which makes me think they where just after the money!
Its raining non stop but warm up is inside, so we warm up daughter is nervous but settles pony and starts to work really well and relaxes.
She then goes to do the test,up cente line first time spot on then second time up centre line away from judeges box, door on judges boxs slams. Pony canters a couple of strides daughter rides them, then a small buck daughter slides off the side.
Few tears but hopes back on judge comes out to say was it the door she did not see what happened - thought judges where meant to watch the test!!!!!
All goes a tad"tits up" from there and she retires
Just a slight rant really as i feel the judge should have closed the door. It was a wet and windy day yesterday and she was a 12 yr old who can and will take this to heart
Also paid my £3.00 for 1st aid no sign of anyone!!

 

[Natch]

oh no sounds like a nightmare! I'd have been annoyed at judge. Better luck next time.

 

[kerilli]

i'd get your daughter out again competing as soon as possible, hope she has a lovely time and forgets this one quickly!
yes, not good of judge (or whoever left the door open), i'd be a bit miffed too, but very naughty pony to buck for something relatively minor, i think.

 

[Gorgeous George]

Oh dear that's not good is it, hope your daughter isn't too upset. I agree see if you can find another comp they can go to, good luck!

 

[LankyLucy]

What a shame, but Im afraid thse things happen sometimes. Agree with the poster above though - the pony sounds as much to blame as the judge. A spook at the noise is understandable but to buck her off is rather naughty.

Hope things go better next time out.

 

[susan_w]

What a shame - don't let it put her off - I now think that every competitor should ask the show centre where the first aider is, if you are paying £3 and can't see a first aider you should definitely ask who they are, and are they definitely qualified.

 

[Shilasdair]

Judges are awful, aren't they?
And they only bother to do it for the money and probably to fiddle the expenses, too. She was probably reading Heat magazine...that'll be why she didn't see the door slamming.
Hope your daughter recovers from her ordeal.
S

 

[Sparklet]

Its always bad luck when something distracting happens in the middle of your test...but to be honest a judge would say the horse/pony is supposed to be listening to the rider and should not react to anything else that happens. We all know this isnt the way things normally happen though and I have been marked down several times in the 'obedience' part because my horse has reacted.

I am a bit puzzled though... I thought a fall meant elimination?

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Poor old thing, 12 is a very sensitive age. I came near,y last at my dressage yesterday, I lost 2 point for saluting with my whip hand. What a dunder head, at 35 you would think I should know better.