The past few days I spent some time scribing, giving me a new perspective on how to ride a test. We always hear every movement counts... how true it is!
The judges I scribed for were very insightful and allowed me to learn a ton. Here are a few of the main points I took away from my two days of scribing:
1.) Make sure you come down the centerline and show a nice halt. If it is an FEI test, a halt where your horse doesn't trot in from the canter, slam on the breaks, or fall on the forehand. Like a hand shake, it is one of your first impressions to the judge... Do you really want to show them how uncollected or crooked your horse is? Any horse can halt for a 10, including yours!
2.) Be mindful around the outside of the arena. The first day the judge pointed out the importance of not showing your weaknesses while waiting to enter the ring. Don't walk if your horse has a lateral walk! Don't waste your horse on a hot day by passaging around the outside! These things seem obvious, but they can affect first impressions and performance in the arena.
3.) Ride all parts of the test. Ride the corners, bend, and get the horse on your aids. If your corner doesn't set your horse up properly, there's a good chance the movement won't be the best it could be. Judges often can predict how a movement will happen based on the moments leading to it.
4.) Remember the importance of forward riding. Many, many riders lacked a full range of motion in all the gaits, leading to lower quality overall and lower scores for movements. Show off your horse; it's a show! Both judges pointed out that it was not just the movement being completed that was important, it was the quality of the movement.
5.) Be accurate! Tempi changes should be well placed on the diagonals, transitions should happen at the letter, and 15 meter circles need to be 15 meters, 2.5 meters in from each rail. And circles are circles, not ovals. From the first level tests, it was common that many riders rode the loops like two short diagonals. The judge stressed them importance of a smooth turn over X while maintaining the bend inside.
And we can't forget to ride from point to point! If you are riding a line of changes, ride from K to X to M. It was pointed out to me how many riders don't ride straight in the final changes and allow the horse to drift to the rail before the letter. Not only does it take a toll on the quality of the changes, but it also isn't accurate!
And we can't forget to ride from point to point! If you are riding a line of changes, ride from K to X to M. It was pointed out to me how many riders don't ride straight in the final changes and allow the horse to drift to the rail before the letter. Not only does it take a toll on the quality of the changes, but it also isn't accurate!
6.)Transitions are important! From all levels I scribes, whether it was a Grand Prix or a first level, both judges emphasized bold transitions. It's important to come out of the corner straight and go forward promptly for the lengthenings, mediums, and extensions on the diagonal line. Don't wait to start! Use the corner to prepare and get the horse straight so you can start right away and make sure to show a transition back. Both judges I scribed for said they wished they could give higher scores for transitions, but the transitions were "unclear".
So the main message I got from these past two days was this; ride smart when you show! Ride for every point you can get, use your corners, show your horses gaits off on the short sides, and finish each movement with accuracy. The judges love giving high marks, but you have to earn them! Let the horse show be a great presentation of the hard work you put in at home training and don't loose stupid points!
