Took the plunge to start volunteer scribing

[HorsesinHaiti]

I went yesterday to volunteer at the monthly dressage schooling show at the barn where I ride. The owner asked, would you like to learn to scribe? We always need those.

Well, I’ve jump judged before, so why not? I shadowed the scribe and judge for the afternoon, and in a couple months I may be scribing part of a schooling show.

So can anyone refer me to up to date, good video or written training for scribes? Official abbreviation lists from later than 2012? I will be Googling, but I figure COTH riders can give better advice than that!

Thanks, all.

[yaya]

If you are a USDF member, they have a guide for scribes in their Education Library on their website, updated in 2019.

[Djones]

Yes see the usdf site for the latest.

Practice! Study the shorthand then quiz yourself on them and test your learning.

Figure out the pens you love.

Learn how to note error on course ( you need a red pen for this).

Day of: Make sure you review your scribe stack of tests vs the schedule of rides for the morning, then again for the afternoon. I print an order of go in case they don’t think to give the scribe one.

Ask the judge how they work…most do the comments first then the score. If they say 7, you write 7.0. I keep my left finger on the movement number or description I am focused on, so the judge can glance at my copy and quickly ensure we are literally still in sync. if you get lost or they do, just catch up. They will come.back and fix it.

I really enjoy doing it at schooling shows. In my area it is 90% 1st level or lower at many shows. Those are easy to scribe;)

[Training_Cupid]

Wow your show must have a lot of volunteers, usually it’s trial by fire whoever they can rope into it will scribe and figure it out on the job!

[ZuzusPetals]

Pens freeze if it’s cold enough. You may want to use pencils. If you do use ink, waterproof.

[Djones]

I think you are required to use pens? Never heard of using pencil.

[ZuzusPetals]

Ah. Just sharing my experience taking notes outdoors for hours on end in a non-horsey profession.

[HorsesinHaiti]

Thanks. I’m not a USDF member but Google connected me to some of their training stuff. Good to know that 2019 is still a good year.

[joiedevie99]

Learning at a schooling show is great. Intro and training have a long time between movements - which means more time to write. Scribing at the upper levels is much faster paced - and even at the middle levels when you have a transition score in addition to the score for the movement before and the movement after.

[HorsesinHaiti]

Re time between movements: yeah, there were a few mid-level eventing tests in the mix. Holy moly! Not just rapid fire scores, but micro text on the sheets and little room to write! Gotta bring reading glasses for the USEA tests!

[starrunner]

Thank you so much for volunteering! Our poor scribes usually learn on the fly it seems. Power levels and schooling shows are great places to get your feet wet though.

[hoopoe]

Pens required.

[HorsesinHaiti]

Pens required - and what’s said in the booth stays in the booth unless it’s a dictated comment -which gets written accurately. Other greatest commandments?

[Mander]

I scribed for the first time at some horse trials last fall - it was actually so much fun. The judge was very nice and 90% of the tests were the equivalent of training level, so “slow” enough that she could also talk to me about what she was seeing and why she was scoring it the way she was. It was like auditing an 8 hour clinic. From what I’ve heard, I was pretty lucky - some judges are pretty terse, and with higher level tests, you shouldn’t expect to be able to watch at all, as the movements come up too quickly and you’ll be busy writing. Overall though, it was a super educational experience and I’d love to do it again.

One tip - take a few pens that are different sizes. An assortment of skinny/medium/fat pens means that if your hands start to cramp a little, you can swap to a different shape pen and the change in your grip will help keep things from getting too agonizing

[SolarFlare]

I’ve been scribing at events for 8 years - it’s my favourite job! Lots of great tips already given. Definitely use pen (it’s in the rules in Canada as well) and make sure you have more than one in case you run out of ink or have a pen failure. I bring my own pens as I’m left handed and most events provide the really cheap ballpoint pens, which smear badly with a lefty. Have at least 2 black/blue pens and 2 red pens available.

I keep an order of go handy and cross off each rider as they come around the ring before their test. If a rider doesn’t appear, I’ll put a star beside their name until I can confirm they are really not riding (sometimes we don’t have a walkie talkie so we don’t get updates on scratches or switched times). I also have my phone at the ready to check on the time, to keep the judge updated if we get behind.

One other tip - once the judge has written comments and signed the test, do one final check to be sure each box has a score and the rider number is there. It’s much easier to recall a movement right after the test than to try to remember after you’ve given it to the runner, and the scorers send it back because of a missing score or rider number.

[Djones]

MAKE the rider show you their number before they get rung into the ring some riders don’t ride down to the judge and scribe and offer it up. Confirm verbally “thank you, rider 45. You are riding Training 2?” This little step avoids the wrong rider or the right rider wrong test.

I make a little identifying note in the top corner like “solid bay w/ blue bonnet” or “paint with solid black tail” in the event a test is sent back for correction or clarity this really helps.

[Mardi1]

After you have some experience and can scribe well for the higher levels, if you’re asked to do a rated show, be sure that you’ll be paid, and not considered a volunteer.

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

Scribing is actually a lot of fun - I scribed our small schooling shows when I was still riding.

If most of the tests are First and below, no problem. Intro and Training are pretty easy - familiarize yourself with the test BEFORE the rider starts so you don’t get left behind on a movement. You may also have to tell a judge where they missed scoring a movement (yes, even at the lower levels!), so you need to know the test as well as the judge does.

Most judges are happy to know you’re a first-time scribe, and will help walk you through the process for the first few rides.

Oh - write legibly, or use a shorthand that’s easily understood by the riders.

[netg]

@Mardi1

After you have some experience and can scribe well for the higher levels, if you’re asked to do a rated show, be sure that you’ll be paid, and not considered a volunteer

Our rated shows locally never pay that I’m aware of. I have been paid every time I helped at “r” program scribing, but I don’t assume that will be the case.
We have a summer series that gives gifts I really appreciate, but none actually pay that I know.

[joiedevie99]

@Mardi1

After you have some experience and can scribe well for the higher levels, if you’re asked to do a rated show, be sure that you’ll be paid, and not considered a volunteer.

I know of very few shows that pay - basically just a few of the big ones run by management companies in CA, FL, and maybe NY. Any others?