I left a show feeling down about comments on my riding, saying not to ruin the horse etc. I know I rationally should not be offended and just take the comments as constructive criticism.
As an adult ammie and obviously a perfectionist, how can I learn to just enjoy the show and not get too sad about judge comments on my riding? Does this happen to others?
My perspective has changed a lot since I own my own Very Difficult Mare (lol) and am not riding other peopleās horses and keeping up with expectations of producing a horse at X level in Y time frame and rideable by owner, etc.
My one bit of advice is always remember to enjoy your horse. Always. Go do other things. Find your joy. You will care a lot less about a judgeās language when you know that a dressage test at a show is just a snapshot of a moment that may or may not reflect the bigger picture. And if youāve made that bigger picture one that is more fun and enjoyment than hard work and hand wringing, then you will be able to read judgesā less useful comments with a truckload of salt.
With a score of 76, it sounds like there was an awful lot that was very good about your ride.
As a judge, I always try to offer a comment re something specific that a pair can improve. The tendency to fall BTV may be what this particular judge saw as the most significant thing you can work on. If he really thought you sucked or had serious holes as a rider, your rider scores probably would have been lower so Iād feel very positive about that.
Thank you. In my life before Iāve had a good horse that my trainer wanted to ride herself and I felt pressure to let a pro ride her so she could blossom. Iām doing my best to not take a good prospect and ruin the horse but I think given my history, Iām sensitive about the suggestion my horse is too good for me. Thatās obviously reading into the comments.
I donāt know the judge, but generally thereās SOME truth to what they say, just maybe there were much better ways to say it!!! I watch a lot of other riders that complain what a judge has said, however to a degree, sometimes they are accurate. You do pay them to critique you and point out how to improve.
I would try to not let it bother you, because you know the circumstances, but strive to do well by your mare. Heās pointing off what to work on. I am sure he didnāt know the exact situation, that you havenāt had her long, etc. He may have believed this was something on going. He was nice enough to let you finish your test, which is very generous of him and good practice!
Next time you go in front of the judge, hopefully they will recognise how far youāve come!
The judge does not know that this is your horseās first show, or that this is a new partnership. He can only judge whatās put before him, and part of his job is offering critique that you can take or leave. Thereās no point in dwelling on it; the recipientās responsibility in constructive criticism is to take it and use it to improve, instead of being ābutthurtā. As someone whoās 5 year old got a 38% in her first ārealā show last year, I would be over the moon with the score you received, and happy that the judge gave me a clue about how to get even better.
Wowā¦76.8% plus high marks for seat and effectiveness of aidsā¦ I would be glad the judge could find SOMETHING for you to work on. Otherwise you might be tempted to rush up the levelsā¦ please pat yourself on the back for these great numbers (you rode for them) and also for finding such a wonderful horse.
Of course you want to have all positive comments, but I think even the cautious comments to not āruin itāĀ should not dampen you spirits. I think it shows that the judge knows you got a good one! I am also privately pleased that while your trainer would, of course, show your wonderful beastie YOU are not buying horses for a pro to ride. As for the horse and potential, you paid for itā¦ now if the Olympic Committee shows up with a large check you might have to reconsider. I would be keeping track of all the people who think you are sitting on greatness. I had four people ask if my horse was for sale last year ( for her good attitude). This made me happy that her value is obvious to others.
As for the eliminationā¦ good call not slamming the brakes on. Even better that the judge let you finish, shows that he might have seemed a bit grumpy but he wants the same thing you do, not to let the horse get the idea it can turn left and leave.
Yepā¦ we are all slight perfectionists, oh well.
The judge sees you for 5 minutes. As others say, he can only see whatās in front of him. He has no idea how you train or ride outside the show. A lot of low level ammies and coaches do ride overbent or semi-rolkur in schooling. Heās warning you no to do this. If you donāt do it, then there is nothing to even beat yourself up over.
You need a fairly thick skin to show. You need to be able to take the comments and evaluations, realize that it is a 5 minute snapshot of your riding shown to a stranger, and take whatās useful from it.
Thanks again - all very helpful insight!! I do struggle with depression and riding is my therapy, though part of depression brain is getting haunted by reasons to hate on myself and get ultra paranoid haha. I need to remember the judge is just trying to help, and itās their job to critique.
I also think that it is great that in particular, the judge is scanning for horses BTV. It might mean that the Anky Rolkur moment is well past. Warning you not to fall into a very common training error is not saying that your riding sucks overall.
I totally did not think of the context of the rolkur style of training. That makes sense. I just thought ābut of course Iām not asking her to suck back at times!! the opposite!!ā Depression also makes a person extremely self-involved (eye roll at self).
Who was the judge and may we see the ride?
There are a couple judges who are known to be rude and objectively incorrect in there subjectivity.
A positive spin on the comments could be that he realizes you and your horse have the ability to move up the levels, and this is what youāll need to consider in training for your move up.
Removing deets - sorry!
Over the years Iāve had more than a few comments that I translate into ānice horse, rider sucksā. But here is the reality: Iām an amateur. Most of us are. A horse is a horse and doesnāt always do what you ask. But still we are the driver. We are the ones who can make it better - or worse. My current boy will sometimes get a bit fired up and/or tired - his go-to is to lean hard on the bit with his stallion neck. I can vouch for the fact that this is not an easy time to ride back to front, lol. Sometimes you get a spook or a spin or just plain blown off by said horse. Sometimes show nerves make you take a tighter hold or ride more conservatively.
So - on any movement the way things get better is from rider strength, training of horse and rider and interaction w/ said horse. Judges word choice not always the best but I can also say that Iāve seen a lot of consistency in the nature of the comments.
And read again Scribblerās post #8.
I love the detail and process of scoring a test and getting those results. But with the good, always comes the āthis could/should be betterā.
Yāall will be fine!!!
Nice ride, your horse is gorgeous!
I would take that comment as a compliment! Many years ago an Olympic rider and official saw a ride of mine and said, āThis horse could go all the way,ā¦ if you donāt screw him up.āĀ I took it as a challenge to up my game and prove to them that I could.
You got a 76+. You know what you have. Now go have fun and donāt screw him up. Ć°ÅøĖā°Ć°ÅøĖĀ
OMG! What a lovely horse, lovely testā¦ very nicely riddenā¦ I would hate to have to follow that ride, it was so smooth. I can see why the judge had to dig for something to give you to work onā¦ I canāt wait to see you take him further, please come back for more āpep talksā and post more videos. Really looks like the two of you have a real rapport. I can see why your trainer would be happy to show if you just couldnāt find the time.
You are TOTALLY ruining your horse. I think you should give your horse to me in order to save her. :lol::lol::lol::lol:
First, I think you did the right thing letting her exit the arena and not yanking to keep her in. It is training level and things happen. Itās best not to make a big deal. I did a first level test on a mare that I evented. The test called for lengthened canter down the long side and back to working canter before the turn. She ālocked onā to the arena rail and jumped out despite my aids! I couldnāt be upset at all, she thought she was doing the right thing. The judge also let me finish the test.
After watching your video, I think that a) your horse is very nice and Jeff recognizes that. Sheās calm and relaxed most of the time. b) you are giving your horse a good ride. You arenāt incredibly obvious with your aids and you arenāt fussing with her mouth or pulling or anything. You are quite āwithā your horse and you two make a nice pair. I really suspect he sees the potential and is telling you to ānot mess it upā. Perhaps that speaks to how many times he has seen that messed up. Maybe heās tired of seeing it āmessed upā and feels the need to make it clear to you. Maybe you two gave him some hope so he felt the need to warn you. Who knows.
You CAN approach the TD and ask to speak to the judge and ask him to explain his comments.
The most important thing is the video. Thatās a nice ride for a horse youāre only getting to know. You really have to have confidence in yourself! The fact is that ALL of our horses would ābloomā with a pro! :lol: But a pro wouldnāt groom like I do or scratch my horseās itches the right way or spend time hand grazing him after a ride or let him play gently with the human hair and ears. My horse would MUCH rather be with me than be #4 on a proās daily schedule. All amateurs give their horses something a pro canāt: individual time and attention. Be confident in the quality of life and quality of riding you are giving your horse! No horse dreams happily about undergoing the wear and tear it takes to make it to FEI/GP.
Heās just jealous! Lovely, lovely test on a gorgeous horse. congrats on your find. Enjoy her!
Susan
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