Where did all my marks go? (Part 1) | ||
This article has appeared previously with Equestrian Life. To see what is in our latest digital issue, please click here. Joao Victor Macari Oliva (BRA) at the World Cup Final. Image: Liz Gregg/FEI.
Where did all my marks go? (Part 1)By Roger Fitzhardinge So I am pretty lucky, I am able to ride two horses every day, and then coach other riders to be more competitive. I am able to sit and judge riders, and horses, and get arguably the best seat in the dressage world (the judges perspective) where I can put marks and comments to paper, feeling confident that I am able to substantiate every one of them as I realize how hard it is to get each and every mark! But believe me this is not an easy task, the good horses make mistakes, the better horses lack riders who pay attention to detail and in turn throw marks away. So then the “average” horses make no mistakes, and hey presto you have a winner who is “average”. That is, they have average marks, average everything, no flashy bits - just good honest training and every movement for a fairly good mark (usually a 7) with a few great halts (a great halt is often undervalued), fluent and there you have it - 70+% and a win! Can I say that any rider who is a serious competitor must sit and judge. If not in an official capacity, then at least with a test sheet and pen in hand, to put marks from one to ten on the paper after each and every movement. No delay here and shoot from the mind and not the heart. It’s even more interesting to mark your own test that was videoed, and look at it as if it’s not you but someone else, and be very honest. Here lies a problem! If you don’t judge at all and have no concept of what to be looking for, instead of only your feel, then it’s very hard to be able to improve your test.
So, let’s analyse a Novice test ... Your job as a rider starts before you even think of entering the warm up. I need not go into the training here, as this is a book in itself and the regime varies from rider to rider and horse to horse on a very individual scheme. But I can say that for me, as a judge sitting at C, the first impression is seriously important, as it sets a tone and a mood between the judge and the rider. As a judge,when you first see the horse trot, walk or canter around the arena towards the C end, it’s only human nature to feed off what you see. It’s a mood, and attitude and an outlook that is set even before you enter the ring.
Robert Schmerglatt and Asterix ride a Novice test. Image: Roger Fitzhardinge.
Having judged the 2C at the Sydney Equestrian competition it was so interesting to realise where and why riders threw away marks, and what made me as a judge, confident to give marks and in turn what annoyed me and then not give marks. It's often one mark that makes the difference, so don’t miss out the chance to make points for attention. Well presented horses and riders give a judge a feeling of the importance the rider puts on their sport and horse.
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© copyright. Equestrian Life. Friday, 26 April 2024 https://www.equestrianlife.com.au/articles/where-did-all-my-marks-go-part-1 |
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