Toenjes is absolutely right. Poor dressage is getting scores it doesn’t deserve.
Many riders/trainers find talented horses and “trick-train” them – but it ain’t dressage in the classical sense. Which is a term often misused and misunderstood.
Great article. I actually like the idea of AI judging.
Wow. I didn’t see the remarks on AI judging until I went through the entire interview article. thanks for bringing that to my attention.
While AI may have its place, too much depends on who and how the program is put together, and I’m sure no computer/AI expert. As one person commenting on AI judging, can AI “see” harmony, relaxation, swing, all the little things that make a fine ride?
I doubt it, but for sure judges who do are not in the business of selling, training, teaching, but judging only, might do a better job of fair judging. Just a thought.
Ducking for cover now!
I think that making a living from judging alone, would be difficult.
Nobody “makes a living” from judging alone. Here or in Europe. But I think we can agree, it muddies the waters for many.
This is only semi-related to the article, but Snowden’s comment made me think.
I saw an interesting article the other day, and I am sorry I don’t still have the URL – but it was about unconscious bias in judging in relation to the rider/judge’s nationality and order of go. The team discovered that no matter the level and quality of judging and rider, there was significant enough bias to be concerned.
It made me wonder if AI could be used to judge. Scientists & veterinarians have already been using AI to judge other objective metrics (ex. body type and predisposition for WFFS). I would not want it to replace a panel of judges, but it would be a good supplemental.
I always thought that your order of go must profoundly affect your scores, especially at the lower levels. I’ve noticed a correlation in my own test scores and order of go. God help you if you enter the ring after a well known rider or a rider who puts down a wonderful test.
Toenjes touches on a problem that has existed in dressage for a very long time. I have seen a lot of left-to-right piaffes too, but I think a bigger, more glaring issue is that the concerns about the horse (swishing tail, hollow, out behind, gaping mouths) are present in all movements of the tests. I hate to be a critic of a level I will never ride at, since I will never be talented enough to ride at that level, but I do understand general horse body language, and I do see a lot of unhappy and tense horses who hide that tension behind incredible movement and their own sheer generosity.
Here you go 
Agreed. With ostensible power over such a high dollar endeavor, it would be odd if upper level judges who cannot earn a living failed to invite squirrelly scores if not outright corruption.
Imagine if our actual bench and appellate judges courted the favor of the rich and powerful or communicated frequently with those they would judge. Oh, wait.
< Also Ducking >
Edited to differentiate courtroom from dressage judges. That seemed less clear on re-reading.
