I know why I scribe – for the education! Also, most judges are lots of fun to hang around with.
What are your reasons?
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I haven’t scribed for dressage, but have for Paint shows. .So horsemanship, trail, ranch, reining and so on. It’s always very educational for me, even though I don’t have stock horses. And for the most part I end up with some very nice judges.
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I have learned so much scribing! It helps me understand just what the judge is looking for. And, Scribing for judge candidates in their programs, from the L all the way up to the S exams - is an AMAZING education. That said you have to be a good scribe for that, because the candidates are nervous…
I am currently scribing for an L candidate, and for an S candidate… and yes, judges are fun to hang out with!
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Because I learn soooo much. Because it’s fun - despite the long, long days. Because I don’t show myself and am not a great rider, but gives me a way to be part of the shows.
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So that we can continue to have shows!
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I have learned a LOT from scribing. My last opportunity, I scribed for someone who had taken a horse by the same sire as my mare up through the young horse program (and won a lot with him). It was super cool talking about their similarities and his experiences with a bloodline some people say is difficult but we’ve both had the same great experiences with. That was extra special!
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Fun - I get to spend the day at a horse show 
Education - even though I’m a licensed judge myself now, it’s always good to sit with more experienced judges and learn from them
Giving back - we have to have volunteers to have horse shows!
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- Because I want to make sure we continue to have shows in my area!
- To be part of things when I am not showing myself.
- Maybe I’ll learn something (even though I know realistically I won’t be able to see very much, at least I can pick up general trends)
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Because it’s an incredible education!
Your perspective changes when you watch the same test ridden 10 - 20 times and hear the judge’s comment on each movement.
Because judges at lower level events and dressage shows need all the support they can get!
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I really miss scribing. I can’t handwrite anymore so had to give it up. I found it educational and always interesting.
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I’m so impressed by the folks saying they learn stuff. How do y’all have time to watch the rides in order to see what the judge is saying? I’m always too busy writing to watch anything.
There’s value in giving back, for sure, but how do I also benefit from the learning opportunity? Am I just slow?
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No, you’re not slow, lol! At the upper levels, it’s pretty much impossible to watch anything, but certainly up to first, and maybe even second level, I find I can glance up fairly often. And although I’m not riding at those levels any more, the basics are the basics and I always learn. I keep my left hand index finger on the next movement to be scored so I know where I am in the test.
Also, if there’s time, I ask questions after the judge signs a test and before the next one starts. I can’t remember a judge who was not happy to answer a question, whether it was about the previous ride or about something in general.
Scribes are the glue that holds the show together. A good or great scribe makes the judges day so much easier! I am facebook friends with many of the scribes I have worked with throughout the country. I am always happy to answer questions if time allows. I will occasionally tell the scribe to glance up at a movement if they have asked me a question about an extension for example to let them see what i mean by ‘more up front than behind’. Or stepping out in a TOH. There is usually plenty of time if the scribes are experienced.
Thanks to all that volunteer for this! Personally, I can and do scribe for handwritten tests, but I cannot type fast enough for the escribing.
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I’m one who can’t look up while scribing or I really screw up. But I still learn a ton even while not looking because I get to hear what’s really important to the judges I’m scribing for, which is so helpful for my own training and competing.
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If nothing else, you learn the most common issues with each movement. and there are places you can watch. ALso, take the time when the horse goes around before the bell to look him over - then connect what you see to the scores you write. Especially applicable to how gaits influence scores.
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I did it for the reasons mentioned before: the education, insights, the fun of spending the day at a show, feeling useful and supporting the sport I love.
The last time I scribed I did not feel like I was keeping up the way I used to. I won’t do it again. Bummer.
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Our shows have all switched to escribing and you get to type in the numbers and comments!
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That would leave me out – I’m a terrible typist.
It depends on the test but there usually certain sections at every level that you have a chance to watch. And I’ve found that once they see you are interested, most judges will take the time to point out noteworthy things, explain the reasoning behind marks, and even ask what you would score a movement and why - and then usually explain why you are wrong lol.
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