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With more and more competition experience, dressage riders eventually start to encounter the same judges over and over. In the UK, this was certainly very true, as the judges don't often travel far to judge the 1 or 2 classes they would judge at a given show. In the USA, however, there are several big differences.
- First, judges are paid big bucks to do their job, plus hotel, airfare, and other expenses in the USA. In the UK, this is not the case.... yet. Judging is more about "giving back to the sport".
- In the USA, judges usually work a long day, judging ALL of the classes in a given arena, some of which will only have 1 or 2 riders in them. UK judges don't often do that. Instead, they usually judge 1 class, but that 1 class might be huge and run all day!
- Show managers in the USA publish the names of the judges for their shows well in advance of Opening Entry Day. In the UK, the rider often finds out who is judging when they see the scoreboard.
- And finally, in the USA, show managers work hard to try to bring in different judges than those being used at other local shows.
However, even with these differences, American dressage competitors will eventually run into the same judges again & again. What I find interesting is that some competitors decide which competitions to enter based on who will be judging. Preference would be for a judge from whom they once got a good score. Or maybe a judge who may be known as being more "generous". Or someone who prefers their horse's breed.
Amazing to me, some riders will even adjust their riding based on who's judging. Now, this is where I am a complete novice! I have yet to establish a mental database of how to ride for a specific judge.... other than my husband!
Georg's excellent dressage eye was developed by attending hours of clinics and lessons with Robert Pickles (Fellow of the British Horse Society and my UK Dressage Coach), Christine Stuckleberger of Switzerland, and Jan Nivelle of Germany. He is my top critic, keeps me honest, and demands to see consistent and correct dressage work.
No, I do not change my tests depending on who is sitting at "C". Or another position, for that matter! Geez, I wouldn't even know where to start. At the end of each test, Georg gives me a score and a bit of critique. And that, for me, is the feedback which means the most.
I have always believed there are 3 kinds of luck. Good luck. Bad luck. And horse luck.
People involved in horses in any way, shape, or form probably understand.
Recently, we encountered some not so great horse luck. Piper managed to get an injury which has sidelined him from all work for a couple weeks while his left front leg recovers from a 7 inch gash.
Freak kind of accident. Unlikely to ever occur again in the next 100 years. One of those kinds of things.
Horse luck.
Thanks to fabulous veterinary care, antibiotics, pain killers, and lots of TLC from everyone on the farm, he is recovering well.
But, he missed two competitions... And the final chance to finish his qualification for the USDF Regional Championships.
And so, in a week or so, we will get back to work. We will prepare for a two day show October, which falls under the 2010 USDF Championship year.
We will once again go on the pursuit for a ticket to the USDF Championships.
Just when things are going swimmingly, one can encounter bumps in the road. This is exactly how I would describe Piper's second show of the season. BUMP!
At the June dressage show at the University of New Hampshire a couple weeks ago, Jeddien completed her qualification for the USDF Region 8 Championships for the Freestyles to Music, 3rd Level. The fairly good sized audience appreciated her work and enjoyed the German folk music to which we rode.
(Super moment of trot suspension captured by Mystical Photography in Springfield Mass.)
Piper's ride, however, was not nearly as successful. We did not complete our qualification for the USDF Regionals. In fact, we did not get beyond movement 5 of Training Level Test 4.....
After performing a nice 20 metre circle in canter, movement 5 has the horse & rider canter to C for a transition to trot in front of the judge. As we finished the circle and headed towards the judge, Piper spied the huge beautiful hanging flower basket quietly swinging from the corner of the judge's hut. And STOPPED.
Like a showjumper putting in a sudden stop right in front of a fence, he slid and then bounced on his front legs, jolting me clean out of the saddle, after which I continued to canter... right onto the floor.
Bump! My first fall at a dressage competition! Embarrassing and no fun at all.
And so, now we are once again preparing for the next competition, continuing our training at home... and considering growing gorgeous flowers just for the boy.
To qualify for the USDF Regional Championships in the Open / Professional Division at Training Level, two scores of 68% or more must be earned in Training Level Test 4, each at a different show.
This weekend, in his first show of 2009 and his first ever trip to Vermont, Piper earned his first 68% at GMHA. He also earned a bonus 69+% in the same test on the second day, but was eliminated due to me using equipment which must be preapproved by the judge.... Ear covers to protect from flies.
These same ear covers were allowed at NEDA Spring and at GMHA but I later learned it was only for specific Young Horse classes. Oh well. A lesson for all! Do not make any assumptions when using marginally legal equipment. Check on a daily basis what is being allowed.
Overall, Piper was really good and I am very happy with how he went. A wee bit of spooking, but nothing major or traumatic as in the past. He even marched across the famous stream next to "the dust bowl" several times.
Next week, we compete at the University of New Hampshire for the first time. There, we will try to get the final qualifying score at the University of New Hampshire!
After a long lazy winter vacation, it is now time for Piper Warrior to compete again. Entries have now been accepted at 3 different USDF Recognised shows. Before the 2009 qualification season closes in August, a couple more entries may be sent in for other shows as well.
The 2009 Plan
Piper's training at home as progressed to the point where he is much more likely to cope well away from his home environment, ride happily past the judges booths, and be able to settle into good work in the warmup arenas.
His first show will be in mid June, at the Green Mountain Horse Association's venue in South Woodstock, Vermont. We will ride a few Training Level tests over two days.
Piper's second show will be in late June, at the University of New Hampshire's June Dressage Show. There, he do the Training Level and First Level qualifier tests.
Piper returns to GMHA in late July to again do the qualifier tests at Training Level and First Level.
The 2010 Plan
Piper's training is now working towards collection. With his lateral progressing well, nice steady shoulder-in's, light travers, and acceptance of the aids for the half pass in trot, one can easily envision him progressing this summer towards Second Level.
The Dressage Queen of the barn, Jeddien, will soon be retiring. However, the throne will not remain empty for long. Piper is coming into his own this year with a great attitude towards the work and learning. It is very exciting to see, and feel!
