Writing for a Dressage judge

[Pinkvboots]

Helping out tomorrow and not done it for years any tips help!

I'm going out tonight as well but not meant to be too late and not needed until 2.30pm so should be fine by then.

No shots for me tonight then

 

[humblepie]

Write down how to spell rhythm.…… have fun

 

[Pinkvboots]

Yeah I would have got stuck at that thanks I will scribble it on my hand 🖐

 

[Rowreach]

Think up some abbreviations that will make sense when the rider reads them back.

Use a O for circle.

And a for square.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Don't forget to write .0 if it's a whole number.

I forgot that when I took a break from writing.

CL for centre line

 

[Pinkvboots]

Think up some abbreviations that will make sense when the rider reads them back.

Use a O for circle.

And a for square.

Yes did remember doing this but thank you

 

[Tiddlypom]

Losing rhythm not loosing rithm

cadence

I once got scuppered by 'exuberant' aka bucking (my mind went blank )

 

[stangs]

Have rhythm/throughness/abrupt/fluency/cadence written on your hand if you think you'll forget them.
If you make a mistake on writing down the mark and scribble it out, judge has to sign it.
Bal for balance, trans for transition, CL for centre line, eng for engagement, exp for expression.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Let thr judge know you might be out of practice.
Ask if you're not sure
Check the movement number about half way through the first test of each test so you know you're at the right place.

 

[J&S]

Keep your eyes on the paper! It is very easy to get behind if you look up to watch the horse, as tempting as it is!!

 

[Bonnie Allie]

It will be easy. Judges have a very limited vocabulary and many speak in patterns. You will be writing the same thing over and over. You can almost prepopulate the sheet with some judges.

I find it easier to ask them for the comment first followed by the mark, stops them crapping on and gets them to be crisper in their delivery.

It’s one of the reasons I’m thinking of giving up dressage comps. For the $$$ per test the feedback is somewhat pointless and often doesn’t match the mark.

 

[Mari]

Losing rhythm not loosing rithm

cadence

I once got scuppered by 'exuberant' aka bucking (my mind went blank )

You only need to write rhy for rhythm. R for right. L for left. Bal = balanced. Sup = supple/ness. Str = straight.

 

[Cowpony]

I've written for a judge who is lovely and tries to give riders as much feedback as possible, which is great. However, she prefaces every comment with "a little" ........it's really hard to keep up when you have to write that all the time!

 

[Bonnie Allie]

You only need to write rhy for rhythm. R for right. L for left. Bal = balanced. Sup = supple/ness. Str = straight.

Please try and write in full if you can. Grammatically correct sentences or even well formed bullet points that give clarity are valuable. I hate getting my tests back that are a jumble of circles, squares, arrows and abbreviations. I feel like a 12yr old has sent me a text.

and be brave enough to call out (privately) to the judge any comment that is destructive or personal. Occasionally you will get paired with some sour old bat who is confused about the judges role. They are not presiding over world peace but some circles and lines. The world will not end if a halt is not square or rhythm is lost on the second half of a circle.

 

[ponynutz]

Write down how to spell rhythm.…… have fun

Been studying music for 4 years now... still don't know.

 

[crazyandme]

I always got taught "Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move" in order to spell it

 

[cauda equina]

Intro and Prelim are a doddle - once you get to Novice and above it's trickier if you're writing 'lengthening' over and over

 

[Mari]

Please try and write in full if you can. Grammatically correct sentences or even well formed bullet points that give clarity are valuable. I hate getting my tests back that are a jumble of circles, squares, arrows and abbreviations. I feel like a 12yr old has sent me a text.

and be brave enough to call out (privately) to the judge any comment that is destructive or personal. Occasionally you will get paired with some sour old bat who is confused about the judges role. They are not presiding over world peace but some circles and lines. The world will not end if a halt is not square or rhythm is lost on the second half of a circle.

How many judges have you written for? Some say so much you barely have time to write abbreviations let alone the whole word!

 

[Gloi]

How many judges have you written for? Some say so much you barely have time to write abbreviations let alone the whole word!

Especially on a bad test where every movement has to have a comment.

 

[Mari]

It will be easy. Judges have a very limited vocabulary and many speak in patterns. You will be writing the same thing over and over. You can almost prepopulate the sheet with some judges.

I find it easier to ask them for the comment first followed by the mark, stops them crapping on and gets them to be crisper in their delivery.

It’s one of the reasons I’m thinking of giving up dressage comps. For the $$$ per test the feedback is somewhat pointless and often doesn’t match the mark.

It’s not up to the writer to ask the judge to give the comment first. The judge must judge their way & the writer follow the Judge. Most judges give the comment first, I know I do, but the important thing is for the writer to record the mark given & if abbreviating the comment helps the writer keep up that can’t be bad. I’ve had plenty of writers who couldn’t keep up with comments or marks.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Please try and write in full if you can. Grammatically correct sentences or even well formed bullet points that give clarity are valuable. I hate getting my tests back that are a jumble of circles, squares, arrows and abbreviations. I feel like a 12yr old has sent me a text.

and be brave enough to call out (privately) to the judge any comment that is destructive or personal. Occasionally you will get paired with some sour old bat who is confused about the judges role. They are not presiding over world peace but some circles and lines. The world will not end if a halt is not square or rhythm is lost on the second half of a circle.

It's virtually impossible to write every single word.

All the judges I have worked with have been really nice and certainly not sour old bat's.

 

[Lois Lame]

All the judges I have worked with have been really nice and certainly not sour old bat's.

Yes, mine too.

It's virtually impossible to write every single word.

I agree.
I did used to try though. I'm a neat and fast writer, but it's impossible to write the whole thing down without 'shorthand' unless the judge is particularly amazing in her ability to form, speak, articulate and sum up in a timely manner. There was one judge like this and it impressed me no end.

 

[Wizpop]

It will be easy. Judges have a very limited vocabulary and many speak in patterns. You will be writing the same thing over and over. You can almost prepopulate the sheet with some judges.

I find it easier to ask them for the comment first followed by the mark, stops them crapping on and gets them to be crisper in their delivery.

It’s one of the reasons I’m thinking of giving up dressage comps. For the $$$ per test the feedback is somewhat pointless and often doesn’t match the mark.

 

[Wizpop]

Actually, as a dressage judge- and definitely not an old bat! I find your comments in both posts rather offensive and showing a lack of understanding and empathy for both judges and riders.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Actually, as a dressage judge- and definitely not an old bat! I find your comments in both posts rather offensive and showing a lack of understanding and empathy for both judges and riders.

It amuses me sometimes what some of the younger generation class as old.

 

[dominobrown]

I have done quite a bit of dressage writing. Depends on the judge but I can be a laugh and very educational too. As long as your writing is neat-ish and you keep with judge and are aware of what movement they are on.
The boxes aren’t big enough to write full blown essay and bullet points though?!
I think I would actively encourage anyone doing dressage to write a few times, gives a really good idea of what the judges see and it’s improved my test riding.

 

[asmp]

I’m impressed that anyone wants to do it. It’s the one job I refuse to do for my RC.

 

[Goldenstar]

Learn the test .
Tell the judge you are rusty .
I always find nerve wracking my friend writes at FEI competitions the stress would finish me off .

 

[Annagain]

I’m impressed that anyone wants to do it. It’s the one job I refuse to do for my RC.

I'd rather write than anything else. Warm dry car, and coffee on demand as they're keeping the judge happy so they have to ask you too! I just can't drink too much or I'll be needing a wee.

 

[Muddywellies]

When I'm writing I dont get to see much of the tests at all. There's no time for me to stop writing and look up. So you may not see as much of the tests as you might gave hoped. I always write rhythm on my hand tho I've seen it abbreviated to rthm on my own test sheets.