Scribing

I was once again a scribe at the Amberlea Dressage Show.

Once again I was scribing for a judge that cannot write much more than her name (stroke), so lots of writing for me, and my right index finger is still complaining. Very nice lady with lots of wisdome and insight to pass on though, so very valuable for me to be able to learn from her. In fact, she is going to be the live commentator for the Olympic Dressage for CBC! The other judge who was there was off to coach the Olympic riders before the competition! You have to give Amberlea Kudos for not skimping on quality judges!

The weather played some havoc, so we had to be inside on Friday, but then outside on Saturday...the outside booths are much nicer to scribe in! Large, bright and so much quieter!

The main comments from this judge that are applicable to our level of riders:
1) Not enough "Cadence"
2) Not "through" the back
3) Stretch circles not 20 meters (must go past P-V line), and not stretching through the back.
4) Saddles too far forward
5) Riders holding too much with too long a rein
6) Post in first level if your horse isn't using its back or is getting crooked.
7) Use your corners, but don't run your horse into them. Do not go into corners on a circle though!
8) Horse's nose needs to be more forward and/or pole needs to be higher.
9) For lengthens: Rushing, neck should be longer.

Cadence is a word that comes up often in describing the ideal gaits of a horse for dressage and is the rhythm and flow of the gait. It requires some suspension (at trot and canter), regularity, and be uphill (push from behind).

Through the back means that the horse's energy is starting in the hind end, flowing forward through the back, and lifting/pushing the horse along. The withers should appear raised, and the hocks coming deep and flexing. The horse has to be supple through the pole to be "through" and cannot be resisting.

Not as many mouth open comments this time.

I also learnt what happens if your horse trips, falls, and comes up limping during a test; the judge stops you, lets you walk, and then if the horse is walking ok, can have you trot on a loose rein to assess soundness. If the horse appears sound you can continue on with your test. You are not marked down for the stoppage.

The other thing was that judges like if you listen to them about a tack change or posting instead of sitting, but they don't expect you to make major changes from one day to the next based on their comments. One poor young rider went off test 3 times day one, and was eliminated, so the judge suggested she have a reader. Next day she comes in the ring without a reader, so the judge leans out to ask the mom if she is planning to read: "No", "Are you sure", "Yes". So of course the poor kid goes off test again...just got confused about how long she should circle!

Karen