11/02/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vnYKRacKQc
This past weekend I scribed at a GMO-recognized schooling dressage show/combined test/horse trials. Every time I do scribe I realize how good an idea it is, for so many reasons. Scribing is a wonderful learning experience, and a great chance to give back to my sport. And, maybe most of all, it’s a reminder that dressage judges on the whole want competitors to do well. I’m sure the average rider would enter at A with their head in a much better place if they had just walked away from a couple hours of scribing…secure in the idea that the person peering at them from behind C wishes nothing but the best for them over the next few minutes.
Anyway, back to the point of this post. Our arena was one of two running for the entire day; it was great to see such a huge turnout and even better that most of our tests were Introductory Level and Beginner Novice eventing tests, with over half the riders being juniors. The sports in our region are welcoming new blood, both horse and human. That’s a good thing!
It was a schooling show, on Halloween, and costumes were encouraged. This undoubtedly drew a lot of these young riders, as showing offered a relatively safe option to celebrate the holiday amidst a pandemic. Perhaps, too, the costume and party aspect of the event brought out more young riders new to the sports of dressage and combined training who may have been focusing a bit more on the fun and a bit less on the competition aspect. Don’t get me wrong; all this is great…but…
The percentage of riders (of all ages, but mostly the younger ones) who did not know basic dressage competition protocol was more than a bit disconcerting. Correct salutes were the exception instead of the norm, and oftentimes salutes didn’t happen at all. Many riders were unaware they were to wait for the bell before entering the arena. Several horses were wearing boots or wraps and I don’t believe any of these riders knew this was not legal or had asked for special permission to use them – which would have most likely been granted as they were often part of their costumes. Many did not know what to do if the bell were rung during their tests due to errors, etc. Several, especially very young riders, went off course, something that most likely would have been avoidable if they’d had someone calling their tests. This competition did allow test calling for combined test and horse trials riders at the lower levels. I can only guess so many did not have tests called either because they did not know this was an option or the adults accompanying them did not feel confident in their ability to call tests.
This all served to put the judge (and more importantly, these novice riders) in a very awkward position. The last thing anyone wants to do is discourage the new generation coming to our sports. Granted, this was a schooling show, but it was a show. If riders are going to compete, they are by definition going to be judged. In order for judging to be fair, it has to be consistent and follow established rules. For a judge to overlook any of these infractions, even at a low-key schooling competition, is to do riders (especially the young, inexperienced riders) a great disservice as most are grounds for elimination (or at least loss of points) and riders need to be aware of this sooner rather than later. Ideally, especially regarding these basic protocol guidelines, trainers and parents should assume the responsibility of educating these riders. Judges should not have to school riders on these basic tenets, nor be put in the position of being “the bad guy” because a young rider has not received basic guidance before competing. There were other “issues” in many of these tests, including geometry, promptness of transitions, etc. These, however, are totally understandable and expected…oftentimes simply a result of horse and/or rider greenness or perhaps nerves…and lie in the realm of what a rider may not have total control over. Even the most experienced horses and riders regularly struggle with certain movements, etc. But, knowledge of basic protocol and rules is something over which riders have total control. And, when it comes to inexperienced competitors (especially young ones), the responsibility of imparting this knowledge lies solely on the adults involved in their competitive outings. Trainers who may have a good bit of horsemanship experience but lack extensive experience in a specific area of competition, or even totally “non-horsey” parents, have easy access to educating themselves and, in turn, these young riders. It’s never been easier to learn more than you’d ever want to know about just about anything…Google it! I cannot believe that more riders would not have had test callers if their accompanying adults knew callers were permitted, or had taken the time to learn how to call tests. There is so much time, work, and expense involved getting a horse and rider to a competition, even a schooling one. Taking the time to learn these basic aspects of competition is such a relatively quick and easy part of that preparation and can make such a huge difference in rider confidence. The most experienced competitors will agree that confidence comes not just from having faith in your (and your horse’s) ability, but also from knowing that you are as prepared as possible for the task at hand. A large part of that preparedness has little to do with talent (which develops over time), but rather with and understanding of rules and protocols (which can be instilled from the very beginning). Like CSN remind us, “Teach your children well.”
From movie "Long Time Com'in" DVD.
