Tips on dressage judging

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miss_molly

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www.katevickersequestrian.webs.com
I am judging for the first time on Monday and wondered if anyone had any tips?

Its a very low key have a go event. Entries on day etc. Prelim level.

Ive writeen for judges at various levels, and compete myself but wondered if anyone had any handy hints, advice, thinks to avoid etc.

I want to be positive in my comments and encouraging. Im going to read through the tests to be judged, and also my past sheets to get an idea of comments I found useful. Anyone want to offer comments they found unhelpful or helpful??

Thanks
 
Sounds as if you re on the right track, its always nice to get a positive and encouraging comment. Marks reflecting the movements that are consistent throughout and a brief comment can be helpful. Youll never please everybody ..thats for sure!!!! Have a good time
 
too many judges focus on the negatives which where some good critic is good to help improve your training, it can be a bit disconcerting when you have put in a lot of hard work and only get criticism. Also, mark too the level. I did one prelim test once where the judge marked me severely as the horses was slightly ahead of the vertical, and it was only ever so slightly.
 
My ponys first dressage sheet made me laugh she said he needed to slow down every thing but walk :cool: :p but she was truthful and encouraging
 
If you can come up with 10 different ways of saying something positive, if you use the same phrase competitors are bound to compare sheets!!!

It's also nice to see a judge who uses the full scale of marks and not just endless 6s!
 
Having done a lot of judging the most important thing is for you to know off by heart the test you are actually judging, when you're new to it it's easy to get lost yourself.

If you give a low mark for a movement then explain why you gave it the low mark, be positive in all your comments, as at prelim level competitors need encouragement all the way.
 
Booboos said:
If you can come up with 10 different ways of saying something positive, if you use the same phrase competitors are bound to compare sheets!!!

It's also nice to see a judge who uses the full scale of marks and not just endless 6s!
Click to expand...

This! and no inconsistencies, i.e. horse scoring 7's-8's in test and rider getting 5-6 in collectives or horse cscoring 4,5-6 in test and getting 7-8 in collectives!

Saw one test where a horse scored 5's and rider got an 8?!
 
Black_Horse said:
This! and no inconsistencies, i.e. horse scoring 7's-8's in test and rider getting 5-6 in collectives or horse cscoring 4,5-6 in test and getting 7-8 in collectives!

Saw one test where a horse scored 5's and rider got an 8?!
Click to expand...

I once had a test where I got 8s with some 7s for all the movements, 8s for three of the collectives...and a 5 for the rider!!!!!!!!!! :o Clearly she was trying to tell me something! :eek:
 
7 = Could be better
6 = Should be better
5 = Must be better

Collectives higher than the test.

Instead of saying what is wrong (downhill) suggest positive (uphill)

Say what went well, what didnt and something to aspire to.

Try to keep to your time for the competitor warming up.

Be on the riders side.

And smile!
 
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