Scores rolled in fairly quickly for our virtual dressage show. For the most part, it seems things lined up pretty well, but I was definitely scoring things I felt vs. what you could see. If you want to see the videos, they are at the bottom of this post.
Novice A
| Test | My Comments/Scores | Judge’s Comments/Scores | |
| 1. A C | Enter working trot Track left | mostly straight. could be more steady in contact 7.0 | Fairly good center line Shows bend in corner. 7.0 |
| 2. E | Circle left 20 meters, working trot | could have more bend 6.5 | Fairly good rhythm and size of circle. 7..0 |
| 3. A-C | Serpentine of two loops working trot | show clearer change of bend 6.5 | Needs slightly better change in flexion. 6.5 |
| 4. B | Circle right, 20 meters working trot | could have more bend. btr second half 6.5 | Clear rhythm 7.0 |
| 5. Between F and A | Medium Walk | Loss of rhythm in transition. more march. 6.0 | Smooth transition but then needs more forward. 7.0 |
| 6. K-X-M | Free Walk | Good stretch. More march & overtrack. 6.5 | Needs more swing through back but willing and stretching well. 7.5 |
| 7. Approaching M M – C | Develop Medium Walk Medium Walk | resistant to contact 6.0 | accurate 7.0 |
| 8. C | Working Trot | above bit 5.5 | fairly smooth transition 7.0 |
| 9. E – B Between centerline and B | Half circle left 20M working trot working canter left lead | above bit 6.0 | No Comment 7.0 |
| 10. B | Circle left 20 meters | Could use more impulsion 6.5 | Fairly good balance 7.0 |
| 11. Between B and M | Working Trot | on forehand 6.0 | nicely forward 7.0 |
| 12. H-X-F | Change rein, working trot | mostly good 7.0 | becomming hurried after x 6.5 |
| 13. E – B Between centerline and B | Half circle right 20M working trot working canter left lead | Good bend. transition could be more prompt. 6.5 | Smooth transition 7.0 |
| 14. B | Circle right 20 meters | Circle a bit big 6.5 | Fairly balanced on circle 7.0 |
| 15. Between B and F | Working Trot | on forehand 6.0 | nicely forward 7.0 |
| 16. A | Down Centerline | straight 7.5 | accurate on centerline then straight 7.5 |
| 17. X | Halt, Salute | mostly square 7.0 (OMG why did I salute with my whip hand) | fairly balanced halt 7.0 |
| Collective Marks | My scores | Judge’s Scores |
| Gaits | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Impulsion | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Submission | 6.5 more acceptance of bit and lightness of forehand | 7.0 |
| Rider | 6.5 omg what are your hands doing | 7.0 |
Total Score: 30.24
Ok, so I do think the judge was a bit generous, but we were in the top 3 of our class. So overall, I think the score might be a bit low, but we did do a good job executing it. I really need to stop pushing down the trotting diagonals. It used to help us when she would get a bit behind my leg, but now that she is more forward (especially when carrying a whip), it just makes her rush.
I do think that I scored more what I felt vs. what you could see in the video. But I was happy that most of my comments lined up with the judge’s.
Novice B:
| Test | My Comments/Scores | Judge’s Comments/Scores | |
| 1. A C | Enter working trot Track right | straight & forward 7.5 | Slightly unsteady in turn 6.5 |
| 2. B E | Turn right working trot track left working trot | Could show more bend and better balance 6.5 | Fairly good. More flexion 7.0 |
| 3. A | Circle left, 20 meters working trot | Good 7.0 | Clear rhythm. Fairly good size 7.0 |
| 4. Between A and F | Working Canter left lead | fussy into canter 6.0 | Smooth transition 7.0 |
| 5. B | Circle left 20 meters working canter | Good 7.0 | fairly good balance and size 7.5 |
| 6. Between B and M | Working Trot | On forehand 5.5 | Steady into trot 7.0 |
| 7. C | Circle left 20 meters working trot, allowing horse to stretch forward and downward. Before C shorten reins | Could show more consistent stretch. 6.0 | some stretching and quickened tempo 6.5 |
| 8. E | Turn left working trot. B track right working trot | Could show more bend and better balance 6.5 | Fairly good change of flexion and bend. 7.0 |
| 9. A | Circle left 20 meters working trot | more bend needed 6.5 | Fairly steady 7.0 |
| 10. Between A and K | Working canter right lead | Better transition 7.0 | Could be more supple. Falling in a little. 6.5 |
| 11. E | Circle right 20 meters working trot | Leaning in. 6.0 | loss connection 6.5 |
| 12. Between E and H | Working trot | Better transition 6.5 | accurate & balanced 7.0 |
| 13. C | Medium Walk | needs more forward 6.5 | could cover more ground but shows stretch 7.0 |
| 14. M-X-K | Change rein free walk | Good stretch and march 7.0 | clear difference 7.5 |
| 15. Approaching K K-A | Develop medium walk Medium walk | Head wagging in transition. Walk could be more forward. 6.5 | no comment 7.0 |
| 16. A F-X-G | Working Trot Onto center line | Early. above bit. Crooked to center line. 5.5 | nice up transition 7.5 |
| 17. G | Halt, Salute | Mostly square 7.0 | fairly balanced 7 |
| Collective Marks | My Scores & Comments | Judge’s Scores |
| Gaits | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Impulsion | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Submission | 6.5 lightness of forehand and more balanced transitions | 7.0 |
| Rider | 6.5 omg what are your hands doing | 7.0 |
Total Score: 30.48
So this one scored slightly higher than my other one. But like when I scored them, they actually came out pretty similar. This test FELT worse than the other one, but on video, looked pretty much in line. I am happy that the judge and I seemed pretty well aligned on our comments. I guess I need to be less critical of my down transitions.
Your scores were very spot on. Good job on two solid tests.
Thanks! It was a cool exercise and good to see that I am pretty aware of what we should be striving for!
It’s definitely nice to know you’re on the same page as what a judge is thinking! Great job on both tests!
way too much dressage for me (Ha) but glad that the scores were better (and even if generous :))….