Separating judges and scribes

[JenEM]

@rothmpp

There are many shows that are not tech enough to be able to put judges/scribes in separate locations and have 100% stable and predictable communication. Shows that I have worked at that are totally paperless in the booths still have a book of backup tests - tech that is power dependent or network dependent can go down - sometimes in the middle of a ride. It’s happened to me.

Even if you’re somewhere without good cell service or wifi (so, most shows!), there are bluetooth walkie-talkie apps that would be perfect for this. Nearly all phones have bluetooth now, and you’d just have to be within range.

I’d think the other problem with a shower curtain, even if you duct tape is in place, is that it’s going to be a bit noisy if there’s wind, too. Which would be problematic for both scribes/judges and horses!

[trubandloki]

If a show is expecting a volunteer scribe to have certain things (like a phone that can last all day with certain capabilities) be sure to make this known upfront. Not the day or the day before the show. Assuming people have these things is going to end poorly.

[Gardenhorse]

@SolarFlare

Thank you, that was the article. Although now I’m now sure about how exactly they ran dressage, because there’s one sentence that implies that the scribe is writing the final comments, and then also she says that they both had bins for their tests, which means both the judge and scribe had a bin. I don’t know why the judge would have a bin if he/she wasn’t handling tests.

“I really liked the ‘no contact’ test pick up, where we both put our tests in a plastic bin when finished.” (bolding mine)

“no handing the papers back and forth or to the test runner” (Plantation and Waredaca) and ““I also liked not having to hand the test to the judge quickly after the last halt and salute…”

I remember reading somewhere (although it wasn’t in that article, so I’m not sure where it was) that at one show, the judge and scribe each had a copy of the test. Scribe did scores/remarks for movements on their copy and then Judge wrote final remarks and collective scores on their own copy, then they were stapled together later. So someone still has to handle the tests from both to combine them but maybe easier to do it back in the show office wearing gloves?

[teddygirl]

I just scribed at a schooling show using computers and a Cee Coach. The computer program had a few, um, glitches including occasionally Delian all the scores off of a finished test. The Cee coaches worked great. The judge and I were at different ends of a gooseneck trailer. I would not want to scribe for a judge who was wearing as mask. It’s hard enough to understand them anyway!