See, now this is confusing for me. Why would an Olympic sport (in which Germany is a perennial powerhouse) judge and score the tests in a different way than is done in the Olympics, which are judged with a score on each movement? (And I know this because even in International competition in the US, we use the FEI score sheets.)
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I agree, that is strange. It also allows a level of subjectivity and makes it more like a rail class.
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You are right in FEI tests they have more then one judge and they score every movement. And you would never even ride a National GP with only one judge as it it’s done in the US .
But a first or second level test is different… That is considered lower level dressage and they have to judge a lot of riders… Hardly any class ever is below 30 riders…
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Oh yes… I hated it when I was younger I grew up with the same 5 judges who judged me over and over again for years. You survive it and if you ride well consistently you get better scores, but it can be tough…
… Manni–are the levels you are talking about equivalent to the US levels? (i.e., is German1st level equivalent to US 1st level, etc.,?)
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I won’t swear to it, but I believe there are typically at least 2 judges scoring a USDF sanctioned GP test. Looking at the ride time list for Morven Park in 2019, I saw 2-3 judges listed for the handful of GP level tests scheduled.
One judge most of the time here.
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Just curious - are there any restrictions on competing at a lower level? I’m in NZ and it sounds the same in terms of ability to compete at higher levels, but in recognised competitions horses and riders get grading points. The horse grading points are more important, because a horse cannot compete lower than its graded level, unless the rider formally downgrades it.
Riders get grading points too but they are less restrictive - you can still compete at a lower level but sometimes the grading levels are used to separate riders into categories (amateur vs open). In NZ the definition of “Amateur” is based on performance - it is a rider graded the equivalent of US 4th level or below.
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Hmm I can’t really answer this question… I would think so but the last time I did, I was killed for it
… I assume there are experts here who can answer this better!!
But I would like to add that this thread is getting really interesting 
I love to hear about all the other countries!!!
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No. There are some restrictions like this in hunters but none in dressage.
The only division is ammie versus open, and anyone getting paid for teaching or training at any level is a pro and goes in open.
I don’t think there is any glory in getting ribbons way below your actual level with a given horse. But obviously a beginner can take a higher level horse in a low level test. A high level rider can start over at Training Level with a new horse. There are no restrictions on what level you can enter.
Curious in Germany with 30 rides in a class do you all ride solo or do you ride in a group?
Except you do have to qualify to enter a freestyle. The horse/rider combination must earn a certain score at the highest test of the level of the freestyle entered (or at a higher level).
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Edit: my links and whatnot keep fudging up, I’ll come back with more info later.
Ah yes, had totally forgotten that.
NO, that is exceptional, not normal. Judges are expensive. One judge for national show GP much of the time.
Manni01 said “Which you can do in Germany as well… there are a lot of popular unrated Shows. And its a true choice and not dictated by financial reasons”
I am confused. Here, you can show in schooling shows and then come out at a Recognized show at third or fourth or FEI as you choose. Didnt you say riders needed certain certifications / scores to enter recognized (rated) shows at higher levels? So you cannot just learn/school at schooling shows then jump into the recognized shows at higher levels…??
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Buwahahahaha so funny yet so true
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Wowza! That’s actually pretty cool we have more than 1 judge for GP – dressage is still not as established here as other english disciplines.
Looking at the test Manni linked to, I’d say that riding it in a group would be unlikely, if not impossible.
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