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:

TestSelf Score
1. A
C
Enter working trot
Track left
mostly straight. could be more steady in contact
7.0
2. ECircle left 20 meters, working trotcould have more bend
6.5
3. A-CSerpentine of two loops working trotshow clearer change of bend
6.5
4. BCircle right, 20 meters working trotcould have more bend. btr second half
6.5
5. Between
F and A
Medium WalkLoss of rhythm in transition. more march.
6.0
6. K-X-MFree WalkGood stretch. More march & overtrack.
6.5
7. Approaching M
M – C
Develop Medium Walk
Medium Walk
resistant to contact
6.0
8. CWorking Trotabove 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. BCircle left 20 metersCould use more impulsion
6.5
11. Between B and MWorking Troton forehand
6.0
12. H-X-FChange rein, working trotmostly 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. BCircle right 20 metersCircle a bit big
6.5
15. Between B and FWorking Troton forehand
6.0
16. ADown Centerlinestraight
7.5
17. XHalt, Salutemostly square
7.0
(OMG why did I salute with my whip hand)
Collective Marks
Gaits6.5
Impulsion7.0
Submission6.5 more acceptance of bit and lightness of forehand
Rider6.5 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:

TestSelf 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. ACircle left, 20 meters working trotGood
7.0
4. Between
A and F
Working Canter left leadfussy into canter
6.0
5. BCircle left 20 meters working canterGood
7.0
6. Between B and MWorking TrotOn forehand
5.5
7. CCircle 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. ETurn left working trot. B track right
working trot
Could show more bend and better balance
6.5
9. ACircle left 20 meters working trotmore bend needed
6.5
10. Between A and KWorking canter right leadBetter transition
7.0
11. ECircle right 20 meters working trotLeaning in.
6.0
12. Between E and HWorking trotBetter transition
6.5
13. CMedium Walkneeds more forward
6.5
14. M-X-KChange rein free walkGood 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. GHalt, SaluteMostly square
7.0
Collective Marks
Gaits6.5
Impulsion7.0
Submission6.5 lightness of forehand and more balanced transitions
Rider6.5 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!

This Post Has 11 Comments

  1. martidoll123

    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

    1. Emily - May As Well Event

      Hahaha I love her. And maybe the second one was better? 😂

      1. martidoll123

        she looked like she didn’t mind the whip at all!

  2. Sara

    How is she taking to the whip? You both look really good to this untrained eye. Can’t wait to see how they compare

    1. Emily - May As Well Event

      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.

  3. eventerinprogress

    Your tests are looking WAY better than mine did at any point haha!

    1. Emily - May As Well Event

      😂😂😂 thank you!! We’ve been at this a while

  4. Nadia

    SUCH a good idea. Love that you did this

    1. Emily - May As Well Event

      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!

  5. L. Williams

    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!

    1. Emily - May As Well Event

      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.

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