After my last virtual show, I saw that Eventer in Progress did a similar virtual dressage show, but she self scored her tests before getting the actual results. (check it out here) Can we say GENIUS? It’s one thing to review a video of a test with your completed score sheet and go “oh yeah, I see what the judge means.” It’s an entire other to watch a test and plug your own scores in. I mean, look at all A Enter Spooking is going through learning how to do this! (click here)
However, I think the informal judging of my own tests in this situation is a great way to improve my education and hone my eye for what judges are looking for in each of my tests. Soooo I did it for Novice A and Novice B.
Novice Test A:
| Test | Self Score | |
| 1. A C | Enter working trot Track left | mostly straight. could be more steady in contact 7.0 |
| 2. E | Circle left 20 meters, working trot | could have more bend 6.5 |
| 3. A-C | Serpentine of two loops working trot | show clearer change of bend 6.5 |
| 4. B | Circle right, 20 meters working trot | could have more bend. btr second half 6.5 |
| 5. Between F and A | Medium Walk | Loss of rhythm in transition. more march. 6.0 |
| 6. K-X-M | Free Walk | Good stretch. More march & overtrack. 6.5 |
| 7. Approaching M M – C | Develop Medium Walk Medium Walk | resistant to contact 6.0 |
| 8. C | Working Trot | above bit 5.5 |
| 9. E – B Between centerline and B | Half circle left 20M working trot working canter left lead | above bit 6.0 |
| 10. B | Circle left 20 meters | Could use more impulsion 6.5 |
| 11. Between B and M | Working Trot | on forehand 6.0 |
| 12. H-X-F | Change rein, working trot | mostly good 7.0 |
| 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 |
| 14. B | Circle right 20 meters | Circle a bit big 6.5 |
| 15. Between B and F | Working Trot | on forehand 6.0 |
| 16. A | Down Centerline | straight 7.5 |
| 17. X | Halt, Salute | mostly square 7.0 (OMG why did I salute with my whip hand) |
| Collective Marks | |
| Gaits | 6.5 |
| Impulsion | 7.0 |
| Submission | 6.5 more acceptance of bit and lightness of forehand |
| Rider | 6.5 omg what are your hands doing |
Total Score: 35.2
Overall, happy with this test. She felt better before we started the test, but overall, I thought it was accurate and rideable. Probably could slow the rhythm a touch and ask for more push.
Novice Test B:
| Test | Self Score | |
| 1. A C | Enter working trot Track right | straight & forward 7.5 |
| 2. B E | Turn right working trot track left working trot | Could show more bend and better balance 6.5 |
| 3. A | Circle left, 20 meters working trot | Good 7.0 |
| 4. Between A and F | Working Canter left lead | fussy into canter 6.0 |
| 5. B | Circle left 20 meters working canter | Good 7.0 |
| 6. Between B and M | Working Trot | On forehand 5.5 |
| 7. C | Circle left 20 meters working trot, allowing horse to stretch forward and downward. Before C shorten reins | Could s how more consistent stretch. 6.0 |
| 8. E | Turn left working trot. B track right working trot | Could show more bend and better balance 6.5 |
| 9. A | Circle left 20 meters working trot | more bend needed 6.5 |
| 10. Between A and K | Working canter right lead | Better transition 7.0 |
| 11. E | Circle right 20 meters working trot | Leaning in. 6.0 |
| 12. Between E and H | Working trot | Better transition 6.5 |
| 13. C | Medium Walk | needs more forward 6.5 |
| 14. M-X-K | Change rein free walk | Good stretch and march 7.0 |
| 15. Approaching K K-A | Develop medium walk Medium walk | Head wagging in transition. Walk could be more forward. 6.5 |
| 16. A F-X-G | Working Trot Onto center line | Early. above bit. Crooked to center line. 5.5 |
| 17. G | Halt, Salute | Mostly square 7.0 |
| Collective Marks | |
| Gaits | 6.5 |
| Impulsion | 7.0 |
| Submission | 6.5 lightness of forehand and more balanced transitions |
| Rider | 6.5 omg what are your hands doing |
Total Score: 35.0
I’m surprised I scored this one as well as I did… Maybe I am being a bit blind to our issues because it DID NOT feel good when riding it.
Overall, I thought this was REALLY hard to do, but it made me excited to see where the judges comments align and differ from my own!
omg she could not be cuter. NOT any way possible. Love her so much and look at you carrying a whip. It will be so interesting comparing your scores to the judge’s! How the hell did you do two tests. I think she looked good in both but liked the second one better. But what the F do I know?? Ps send her south soon. You so need another horse so i can snare her 😉 HAHAHHA
Hahaha I love her. And maybe the second one was better? 😂
she looked like she didn’t mind the whip at all!
How is she taking to the whip? You both look really good to this untrained eye. Can’t wait to see how they compare
She’s doing better with the whip! I am basically carrying it all the time except when I’m jumping. Carrying it during our trot sets has seemed to made the difference.
Your tests are looking WAY better than mine did at any point haha!
😂😂😂 thank you!! We’ve been at this a while
SUCH a good idea. Love that you did this
It was soooo helpful. In the future, I might have someone video me practicing my test before shows and going through it like this. Can’t wait to see what the judge thinks!
Your reasoning for self-scoring sounds legit. Looking forward to comparing how you did judging against the judges lol! Like most you were probably a bit to hard on yourself!
Got the overall scores today but not the score sheets yet. Judge was, in my opinion, a bit soft. But I look forward to reading the comments.