Must be a Florida thing, to be paid to scribe. The only time I have not been paid to scribe was at a schooling show. Open shows, every time.
If you have a video of a ride and the txt, you can practice scribing by having someone read the judges remarks as the ride progresses…this is an exercise that often is used at scribing workshops.
Lower levels are easy to scribe but the upper levels are so fast that you dont really get a chance to see the ride.
I’ve scribed at schooling shows. Its a lot of fun, but it is also a lot of work and I can’t imagine doing it for 2,3 even 4 days in a row. Schooling shows are also cool because they are more laid back, and judges usually give a few remarks to the rider before they leave the ring. Every once in awhile you get a rider who really takes those comments to heart and if they ride a second test that day you get to see their interpretation of the judge’s comments, for better or for worse. Those people are my favorite. Either they made an improvement and it’s exciting, or they get overzealous and you get a chuckle.
I agree that upper levels and eventing tests are hard because the the stuff comes up quick. The first time I did an eventing test, everything happened unexpectedly quick, even the low level ones. I’m not sure why they are written like that. So definitely try a schooling show that mainly offers Intro and Training level to start with. I also scribed at a show that offered western dressage, and the judge had never seen it before. Neither had I. That was a lot of fun though, because the judge was winging it and actually asked me if I thought she was being fair.
Scribing is super helpful as a rider as well. You get a lot of insight to what judges look for in each test, and I usually learn something new each time I do it.
[QUOTE=3rottenponies;8662415]
Must be a Florida thing, to be paid to scribe. The only time I have not been paid to scribe was at a schooling show. Open shows, every time.[/QUOTE]
I’m in California, and the big CDI shows (as I noted above) often pay scribes a small stipend if they scribe the entire show (3 to 4 days). BTW, those scribes are also dressed like a pro - jacket and slacks, etc.
But we don’t pay for one day scribes, the smaller shows don’t pay, and the paid positions require a lot of experience. If you’ve ever scribed at FEI levels - you know it requires a whole new level of speed and organization!
Most of our scribes are volunteers. Our GMO gives awards to the Top Ten Scribes each year - based on judge’s votes. I made Top Ten in 2014, and one of my friends made Top Ten last year!
I don’t think you need to have actually ridden dressage to scribe. A basic knowledge of the tests you will be handling and a good look at the list of abbreviations that are common to the movements will have you covered.
Scribing really opened my eyes to the problems many riders face in the lower levels. Impulsion, Impulsion, Impulsion, March, March, March! :lol:
The only time I got anything other than lunch for scribing was when I agreed, on short notice, to scribe for the L program. The person I scribed for insisted on giving me $ for gas and lunch. She was very nice.
[QUOTE=atlatl;8663294]
The only time I got anything other than lunch for scribing was when I agreed, on short notice, to scribe for the L program. The person I scribed for insisted on giving me $ for gas and lunch. She was very nice.[/QUOTE]
Same, here! I had forgotten about that “payment.”
My L candidate tried to write me a check and I refused the first time we worked together. Then when she came back months later for the final part of the program she brought me about three bottles of wine from her home area (Paso Robles area) and some chocolates and olives.
That was so nice, and the wines weren’t cheap. I (and my partner) gobbled up every bit of her gifts.
