Dressage attire guidelines

In my experience, the judge writes the “closing comments”, giving the scribe time to organize for the next rider - but I have heard of judges who dictate those closing remarks, in which case they would be busy.

And then there are those who pin the number on the side they are turning to - as a reminder. Lets say they are turning left, so number on left side. They come in, ride to the left (number on inside), getting ready to come down CL… then they turn left (number STILL invisible to scribe)… and they are now going away from the box…
SOmetimes I write notes as to jacket /horse on those tests just in case we never see the number until the end (or, until an error because the wring test was in the packet… :rofl:

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When I scribe, I make it my responsibility to check the horse’s number and make sure it matches the test. When I ride, I make sure I at least ride by the judge’s stand so they can see my number.

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Our trainer always told us just the opposite. Put the number on the outside of your turn at C, for the precise reason that it could be seen by the judge/scribe. So we always remember (for example) “first turn is left, so number goes on right”.

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I always stop in front of the judge and tell them my number.

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We have to have numbers on both sides here (seems like a sensible requirement?). I generally use the saddle pad numbers (I use velcro adhesive strips - cheap, easy, and removable). I’m not a huge fan of bridle numbers, not sure why. I have the Eskadron numbers and they’re a decent size.

They make a 3 and 4 digit version.

Stock photo:

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I always stop in front of the judge and show my horse they aren’t going to murder him, I tell the judge my number at the same time :slight_smile:

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As an eventer, we have bridle numbers - I always put it on the left, but also tell the scribe my number as I ride around the ring. Every time! :wink:

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I was told top put it on the opposite side of what direction you turn so they can see it as you go by.

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As a scribe, I can’t count the times a rider comes by the judge’s booth with the numbers facing away from the booth. I would ask the rider for their number. Hate to do that, but maybe next time they will ride by with the number showing or announce as they ride by…

Thanks to all those who give/show us (scribe and judge) your numbers!

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Why don’t they just require numbers on both sides?

Seems to work here.

I also cannot recall anyone introducing themselves? Our number, name, horse name, and riding club is generally announced (over loudspeaker) when we enter and then our score is announced when we finish, typically. Competitions can be a blur for me so I’m trying to recall the exact procedure at the last one :rofl: I know it in the moment.

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I love the tip to put the bridle number on the outside of the first turn! Totally adopting that.

Say what you will about how tacky these are, but when I showed AQHA these were a staple and made it super easy for the judge to see the number from both sides. When I switched to H/J I thought it was so dumb that we had back numbers and had to slide them to the side for the judge to see when we changed directions.

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I showed my baby in materiale and they gave me two pin on numbers for the saddle pad. In addition to his bridle number. I guess for visibility…?

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Same here. It’s my eighth year scribing for Ontario events, so I do recognize many of the riders, but I still want to be sure it’s them and it’s the right horse if they are on more than one.

I find if you make eye contact with them and say “are you number XX?” as they trot on by (with their number on the opposite side, of course), then that seems to help. I figure some of them may be nervous and just don’t realize I can’t see who they are. Hopefully it will prompt them at their next show to tell me their number! I’ve also found every judge I’ve scribed for here likes to write their own comments, so I am not busy when the next rider comes around the ring. I also make eye contact with each rider as they come by so they also know that they aren’t interrupting me.

We’ve gone paperless in Ontario since Covid, meaning riders need to print off their own bridle numbers and figure out how to mount them. I’ve definitely seen more of those plastic number holders this year (I guess they realized the organizers and secretaries weren’t going back to printed riders’ packets). They do NOT help at all. Either they’re on the wrong side as rider goes around and around in the same direction, or the rider circles outside A and never comes down by the judge’s booth, or the sun reflects off them and I can’t really see the numbers. I’ve had riders go directly in front of the judge’s booth with the numbers on the bridle or the saddle pad, on my side, and I STILL can’t read the numbers in the holders if it’s at all bright out.

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Illegal size to attach to a pad? Not certain, this would definitely be a TD question.

Sheesh. Today I learned to announce myself as I pass the judges stand. I had figured it was best to leave the judge and scribe alone as they finished the previous test.

I ALWAYS ride my horse to the judges stand as he can get looky. Assumed introductions were passé, but have seen more than a couple whistles blown for presumed wrong tests.

Sheesh. It makes sooo much more sense to introduce. I’m surprised a trainer never told me this.

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It also guarantees someone in the scary box responds and your horse gets to hear life from there.

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This was one of the most cringe-inducing purchases I had to make when I got into showing Paints. There was no glee when I clicked “complete purchase” on this particular item.

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Wait, I just looked again - you have to buy the whole darn saddle pad??? Yes, that would be cringe-worthy.
In dressage world, I ALWAYS announce my # to judge’s booth.

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It would just be another expense to the show organizer.