[Kiwi Pony]

I'm not quite sure where to put this thread but thought maybe here was my best bet (feel free to move me!). At the end of the season just been (well, here anyway :-) ) I was asked to do some judging by a couple of our local Pony Clubs, which was the first time I had judged (though I have examined about 20 kids at D level). One was a ribbon day, which I didn't enjoy as much, trying to make sure they all got at least one ribbon and being under the eye of parents etc, though I was lucky to have a competent steward who made things easier. The other Pony Club asked me to judge dressage, which I loved! I prefered the objectivity of it and giving a mark horse by horse (just had to figure out where to set my standard!).

What I would like to know is - for those who are experienced at judging dressage tests (or even writing for dressage judges), I would be hugely greatful if could you share some tips or points that would help me be accurate, fair and consistent in my judging. It's something I would like to do more of, but I want to do it well.

[naughtygirl]

hey kelly do u give dressage lessons? and also, u better judge me well if u judge me with season!! LOL jk

[I LUV BESS]

lol! jenna! um... i have no clue about judging dressage ,sorry kelly!

[Dancinglite]

Judging dressage usually requires that the judge be experienced through riding and showing this discipline. In my country experience and reccomendations by another carded judge is required just to apply.

I personally will never allow my horse to be judged by anyone that I don't respect so in my eyes they must be very good. Unrated schooling shows that hire the "local" moms can work out ok but not a good reccomendation.

In your case you have some experience and starting to judge at the pony Club level is often a start to a future judging career.

Tips

Stay away from the competitors until the show is done.
Don't get emotionally involved with trying to be nice
I have a vision of a perfect horse that follows the rider and judge against that horse not the previous competitor
Determine ahead of time what is totally unacceptable within each movement and be prepared to give a low mark but be fair when you do. ( ie a horse that stopped to eat grass when doing a free walk...it happened..I gave a 4..did not have the heart to go lower as she struggled to get the head up..the rider was only 9 years)
Give your writer short descriptions...not everyone can write fast.
When you write your comments on the bottom remember you are not giving a lesson ( long) but give the rider a direction they should be looking to to fix any problems.Never say anything bad.
(ie---for a horse that has its head in the clouds I would say...needs to become more round with better contact with bit).

[I LUV BESS]

DL! It amazes me how good you are! are u famous? lol

[Dancinglite]

Originally Posted by I*LUV*BESS

DL! It amazes me how good you are! are u famous? lol

No. just experiened. I was a carded judge. LOL

[Kiwi Pony]

Thanks heaps Dancinglite.
I have done a reasonable amount of dressage riding, not to a particularly high level but well beyond what I was asked to judge. It was at a closed gymkhana, just a fun end-of-season final day out for the riders, but you are right and I would certainly not try and judge anything graded etc, though we have listed judges here too for NZEF competitions so I wouldn't be put in that situation anyway. Thank you for your help!

[AutumnAttic]

Just dont pick favorites.. If your best friend isnt the best, dont score them like they are

[lms]

Try to be positive in your comments. Dressage tests are supposed to be ridden to test the training, not trained to ride the test. That is one of the best things about dressage tests. Even if you receive a low score you can learn a lot from a judge's comments.