Butthurt over judge comments (i.e. suggestions you're not good enough for your horse)

[the_sandiest_shoes]

@atlatl

@the sandiest shoes , you might want to be a tad more careful about what you post;

thanks! totally wasn’t thinking - dressage is so small

[the_sandiest_shoes]

@jonem004

I’m surprised you’re offended by this. Getting yelled at by old Germans is such a big part of our culture as a sport, I’m all out of tears from back when I had an ego. Now that I KNOW I’m the problem there’s nothing left to do but agree with Herr Judge.

been a while since I’ve had a clinic, but I take your point!

[the_sandiest_shoes]

@beowulf

What is her breeding? She’s a nice mover.

she’s by Danone I, damsire Sterntaenzer

[Crashing_Boar]

@jonem004

I’m surprised you’re offended by this. Getting yelled at by old Germans is such a big part of our culture as a sport, I’m all out of tears from back when I had an ego. Now that I KNOW I’m the problem there’s nothing left to do but agree with Herr Judge.

You have to keep your sense of humor, and take it in the spirit offered. I had some ancient Dutch judge stomp out into the arena special one time to make sure I knew, (and I quote), “Where I come from we EAT horses who go like that!”

Left the ring laughing my ass off, went back to the trailers and fed my boy a carrot. Cain’t win 'em all!

[galadriel]

You had a nice ride with a few issues that will eventually clarify with experience/more practice. It is never a good idea to publicly and in writing air grievances with a judge and name him. You should discuss these issues with your trainer and perhaps a few friends/observers. Even if this is hardly an international incident (yes, it happened), the dressage world is too small a place for anonymous negative comments. Remember your final score and the fact that your eliminated ride was fully scored with comments. Keep on trying and good luck.

[galadriel]

@MsM

It also may be that the judge has seen many nice horses at this level only to see them become cranked in and incorrect if they are pushed to quickly (and incorrectly) up the levels. I see it more as a warning not to be tempted to do that just because the horse is talented.

This is exactly what happened.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

@galadriel

You had a nice ride with a few issues that will eventually clarify with experience/more practice. It is never a good idea to publicly and in writing air grievances with a judge and name him. You should discuss these issues with your trainer and perhaps a few friends/observers. Even if this is hardly an international incident (yes, it happened), the dressage world is too small a place for anonymous negative comments. Remember your final score and the fact that your eliminated ride was fully scored with comments. Keep on trying and good luck.

Yes, to clarify, this is no issue whatsoever with the judge - as I mentioned, I’m grateful for the feedback, the generous scoring, and the graciousness in letting me finish a test after elimination. 100% realize this is a me problem, just like I realize issues with how my horse goes is a me problem, not a horse problem. Super dumb of me to name the judge and I scrubbed comments best I could. As an amateur, I’m not competitive and want to do this for fun, use shows to gauge progress in training, and this is me trying to manage emotions over judging comments in general (trying to find a way to fully enjoy dressage shows and not stumble over constructive criticism and just assume comments on my riding mean I’m trash, garbage, should relinquish my horse, should quit the sport, etc.). Unsurprisingly, I’m the type of person who broke down crying over B+s in university. I fully realize I’m the one being ridiculous and gross. VERY appreciative of the super helpful advice in this thread. I’m so bloody neurotic I should probably never show at all, but it’s the best way to get objectivity on training progress and I really do love riding.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

@galadriel

This is exactly what happened.

my maniacal brain is now assuming you were the scribe or something and I want to walk into the ocean. Really sorry.

[smoofox]

I am butthurt that I came into this thread too late to see what sounded like a lovely test!!!

[the_sandiest_shoes]

@smoofox

I am butthurt that I came into this thread too late to see what sounded like a lovely test!!!

Just in time for me to take a great horse show experience last weekend and somehow turn it into a spiral of paranoia and regret, me-style :eek:

[staceyk]

Others have weighed in at at this point, but… is it possible that she was just super-impressed by the quality of your horse, and wanted to make sure that you knew what you had? With a 76 and good ratings for your position etc., I can’t believe she was dissing you.

I rode in a clinic years ago and the clinician basically (tactfully) suggested that my trainer should do the riding. It was a valid comment, but I work full time, I’m not affluent, and I am in this game to ride – I don’t buy a horse so that I can watch someone else ride them better than I. The previous comment about ENJOYING your horse, and focusing on their great care and happy life, and if for 50 minutes a day they deal with a less-than-perfect rider, well, they’re still lucky.

Congrats on your ride.

[oldernewbie]

@the sandiest shoes

I’m so bloody neurotic I should probably never show at all, but it’s the best way to get objectivity on training progress and I really do love riding.

Au contraire, this is exactly why you should keep showing. I think after a while you will learn to moderate your reaction and eventually take it all in stride. So hang in there. Keep working on the “take what you need and leave the rest” attitude about test comments. You’ll get there.

Alternately, in a more sink or swim approach, put that nice horse in the barn. Go out and buy a $300 off breed upgrade from CraigsList and try to make a dressage horse out of it. Get scores that range from 38 to 65 when you show and a whole range of interesting (LOL!!!) comments. You’ll develop a highly tuned sense of humor and get over that kinda perfectionist streak. You’ll also become immune to public embarrassment. Ask me how I know LOL!

Really, you’ll be OK. Keep riding - it’s good therapy for all of us.

Hugs.

[oldernewbie]

One more thing: this is an old, old thread but it’s one of my favorites. Kinda puts everything into perspective:

https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/f…n-blooper-pics

ETA: it’s just a darn shame that a lot of the links are dead. It is an epic discussion!

[Jenerationx]

@oldernewbie

One more thing: this is an old, old thread but it’s one of my favorites. Kinda puts everything into perspective:

https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/f…n-blooper-pics

ETA: it’s just a darn shame that a lot of the links are dead. It is an epic discussion!

Oh, this one needs to start up again. Love it!

[Hej]

OP, I did watch your video and agree with others (and the judge) that it was a very, very nice ride.

My suggestion for you is to learn as much as you can about the judging process to help understand what a judge is seeing that prompts him/her to give a certain score and comment.

If you have an opportunity to audit an L program, do it! You’ll see a variety of horses and hear excellent discussion of what to look for. As an auditor you can’t participate but you’ll learn a lot! (L program dates and locations are listed on the USDF website.)

Also, this week/weekend is the Festival of Champions, livestreaming free on the USEF network.

If you can watch any of the 4, 5, or 6 year old classes, you’ll hear the judge give the riders an oral evaluation of their ride at the end of each test. It’s very educational. (These are the very top young horses in the country, and yes, several have been told to be careful to keep the throatlatch open.) ETA: The Young Horse classes are archived so you can watch when you have time.

The more you know, the more accurately you’ll be able to evaluate a judge’s comments and avoid future posterior injury.