VERY ungenerous dressage judges :( bit of a rant!! and small kelsall report :D

He looks to make a lovely horse, as you say he is young and although he is swinging throughout the test, it looks quite rushed especially the trot work. He isn't covering a lot of ground with each stride and this is what the judges like to see. These little short strides appear to make him looked unbalanced through the corners and on a circle which of course is understandable for a young horse. I can only comment on what I have seen and I think slowing things down a fraction but keeping the energy with help him stay balanced and allow you to ride him through the corners. I understand the ground must of been quite hard and slippy which doesn't help a young horse. Do you have back studs at all?
 
HBBambee said:
He looks to make a lovely horse, as you say he is young and although he is swinging throughout the test, it looks quite rushed especially the trot work. He isn't covering a lot of ground with each stride and this is what the judges like to see. These little short strides appear to make him looked unbalanced through the corners and on a circle which of course is understandable for a young horse. I can only comment on what I have seen and I think slowing things down a fraction but keeping the energy with help him stay balanced and allow you to ride him through the corners. I understand the ground must of been quite hard and slippy which doesn't help a young horse. Do you have back studs at all?
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Totally agree with these comments I don't think the mark was particularly harsh. Its just tough to take when you have had better for similar tests.
 
As an ex-listed judge I would say that the test was too hurried and that this therefore caused the paces to appear flat, something that would have been reflected throughout and in your collectives.

Your horse appears to lack lateral suppleness; you can help by accurately riding CORNERS and differentiating when you are riding a CIRCLE! :) Pammy Hutton picked up on this two weeks ago in H&H....you can gain an extra 2-3 yards if you ride a corner properly as opposed to cutting it or riding a circle!:)

The canter lacks any true moment of suspension....slow it down (without losing impulsion) and give him time to make the steps!

There was a moment of disobedience when you went across the first diagonal. This would have been marked right down.

Also, in the free walk I like to see the horse seeking the contact DOWN and OUT more.....evidences that the horse is working over the back more.

The trot did improve as the test progressed and showed some increased roundness/softness in the second half. This, with a slower tempo, is how I would like to see it throughout.

Transitions need to be worked on....upwards currently hollow and downwards run and are not crisp enough.

On the plus side the trot was rhythmic and the horse took a good length of rein.

HTH
 
I completely agree with looking at where you are relative to others in your class. Then take each movement itself, I think with a less generous judge he is a difficult horse to earn over a 6 with at the moment, which means when he does make an error (breaking, coming out the hand in the transitions, incorrect bend/falling on inside shoulder in trot) he will go below a 6, to a 5 or even a 4. 42 is 58%, mostly 6s with a few lower marks. I think in the first instance you need to work on his understanding and ability to bend through his body and remain perpendicular to the ground, then you can focus on developing scope within his paces through half halts and transitions within the paces. He is a lovely looking chap and you ride him nicely, keep going it will be worth it!
 
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