Took the plunge to start volunteer scribing

[SolarFlare]

@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.

Every year, I curse the majority of riders who go around and around the ring with the number on the inside so I can never see it (or it’s in a plastic holder on a sunny day so I can’t see anything with the glare). I gave it a couple shows last year and then any riders who didn’t tell me their numbers (or whose number wasn’t easily visible) got the “hi there! What’s your number?” friendly prompt from me. I hoped it would remind them for the rest of the season Maybe I’ll start at the first show this year to make my job easier for the next shows!

@Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom

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.

Especially when the tests change! The judges get used to what’s included in each score and then it all gets mixed up (like when a movement used to include the transition, and then in a new test it’s separated out into a second mark). In my experience it’s best to remind them at the time, not to wait until the end of the test. They may let you know that they’ll come back to it, or they may give you the mark right away if there’s time.

All of our eventing and dressage tests are updating this year in Canada, so I anticipate lots of judge reminders and red pen use this season!

[BraveSC]

Scribing is my favorite way to volunteer! Everyone above has some solid suggestions (a good pen is a must and possible a nice lap desk if you are left handed like me!) but I wanted to add that if they label the tests for you, ALWAYS double check the rider in the ring and the test you are about to write on. Sometimes they go out of order…another thing I do is check the master list of the tests being ridden to the test provided. I once was given a stack of First Level Test 1 test when the riders were actually riding Test 2. Have fun!

[Djones]

@SolarFlare

Every year, I curse the majority of riders who go around and around the ring with the number on the inside so I can never see it (or it’s in a plastic holder on a sunny day so I can’t see anything with the glare). I gave it a couple shows last year and then any riders who didn’t tell me their numbers (or whose number wasn’t easily visible) got the “hi there! What’s your number?” friendly prompt from me. I hoped it would remind them for the rest of the season Maybe I’ll start at the first show

I am not patient enough to wait and see, I just make sure by calling out to them and engaging with them verbally. So many of our local riders are some combo of nervous and in their heads and just don’t think to tell me. No worries, I just ask and smile and compliment their horse or whatever the first time we speak. I like to think a smile and nice interaction at C settles them.

[starrunner]

In my area, there are so few volunteers, that most shows are starting to pay to have anyone step up at all.

It’s not ideal, especially with some of these shows that are basically introductory shows that don’t break even, but yes–not uncommon here in my experience in Wisconsin.

I’ve often seen or paid between $50/$100 a day plus food/lunch and often hotel if it’s a two or three day show. That being said, if anyone is in the area and wants to scribe, let me know, lol!

[Mondo]

OP - I’ve been judging for about 30 years. Let me tell you what a scribe did to me at a show last weekend. I was gobsmacked! The rider performed a 10 meter circle in canter. It was quite good. I gave it a score of 8 and didn’t add a comment. (The 8 sort of speaks for itself, you know?) The scribe said, “I’m going to put, ‘Nice bend!’” and had actually written that on the test sheet before I could respond. DO NOT EVER MAKE YOUR OWN COMMENTS. E V E R! Do not paraphrase what the judge said - abbreviations are OK.

To the scribe in my story, I just said, “Uh, sure…” because I was so shocked that they would do that. I definitely lodged a complaint with show management and I hope that person is never allowed to scribe again.

[rothmpp]

@Mondo

OP - I’ve been judging for about 30 years. Let me tell you what a scribe did to me at a show last weekend. I was gobsmacked! The rider performed a 10 meter circle in canter. It was quite good. I gave it a score of 8 and didn’t add a comment. (The 8 sort of speaks for itself, you know?) The scribe said, “I’m going to put, ‘Nice bend!’” and had actually written that on the test sheet before I could respond. DO NOT EVER MAKE YOUR OWN COMMENTS. E V E R! Do not paraphrase what the judge said - abbreviations are OK.

To the scribe in my story, I just said, “Uh, sure…” because I was so shocked that they would do that. I definitely lodged a complaint with show management and I hope that person is never allowed to scribe again.

So, the shows I work for are all escribing - so I’ve been known by the third day with the same judge to be putting a score/comment before the judge gives it. I know by then usually what the judge is going to give/say. BUT - I will always change it to reflect what the judge says if I did not get it right.

If I am at a show where we are still handwriting tests - I always wait for the judge to give a score/comment since I cannot easily undo on a written score sheet.

[Mardi1]

@Mondo

To the scribe in my story, I just said, “Uh, sure…” because I was so shocked that they would do that. I definitely lodged a complaint with show management and I hope that person is never allowed to scribe again.

Curious as to why you didn’t address it directly to the scribe after the test ?

[SillyHorse]

@Mondo

OP - I’ve been judging for about 30 years. Let me tell you what a scribe did to me at a show last weekend. I was gobsmacked! The rider performed a 10 meter circle in canter. It was quite good. I gave it a score of 8 and didn’t add a comment. (The 8 sort of speaks for itself, you know?) The scribe said, “I’m going to put, ‘Nice bend!’” and had actually written that on the test sheet before I could respond. DO NOT EVER MAKE YOUR OWN COMMENTS. E V E R! Do not paraphrase what the judge said - abbreviations are OK.

To the scribe in my story, I just said, “Uh, sure…” because I was so shocked that they would do that. I definitely lodged a complaint with show management and I hope that person is never allowed to scribe again.

Gobsmacked is right! I can’t imagine doing something like that.

[netg]

@Mondo

OP - I’ve been judging for about 30 years. Let me tell you what a scribe did to me at a show last weekend. I was gobsmacked! The rider performed a 10 meter circle in canter. It was quite good. I gave it a score of 8 and didn’t add a comment. (The 8 sort of speaks for itself, you know?) The scribe said, “I’m going to put, ‘Nice bend!’” and had actually written that on the test sheet before I could respond. DO NOT EVER MAKE YOUR OWN COMMENTS. E V E R! Do not paraphrase what the judge said - abbreviations are OK.

I’m just astounded.

I always find it interesting when I’ve ridden for a judge where I’ve has barely any comments, and find out they comment on almost every movement. While scores are most important, a lot of scribed appear to miss a lot of information given.

[Djones]

@netg

always find it interesting when I’ve ridden for a judge where I’ve has barely any comments, and find out they comment on almost every movement. While scores are most important, a lot of scribed appear to miss a lot of information given.

I don’t grasp your message. Meaning you’ve since scribed for them and learned they comment a lot?

I have scribed a good bit and sometimes there are comments on every movement and the next test might have 4+ movements with just a score and no comments at all.

[Mander]

When I scribed, the judge told me first thing that she’s not required to give comments for anything a 7 or above, and she won’t (she did lol). She also said if she does, that I can ignore them entirely. I still tried to write everything down, but I can understand why a scribe might choose to skip some comments if it’s a fast paced test (or they’re trying to save their hands!).

[netg]

@Djones

I don’t grasp your message. Meaning you’ve since scribed for them and learned they comment a lot?

I have scribed a good bit and sometimes there are comments on every movement and the next test might have 4+ movements with just a score and no comments at all.

Meaning regardless of the test, some judges comment a lot, as I learn when I scribe for them. However, when I’ve ridden in front of those same judges, I have frequently had very few comments. Because apparently many scribes can’t keep up and miss a lot. I’m talking tests with scores where judges are required to give comments not having any, over and over. Can’t complain about the judge when it’s the scribe not writing what they say - and unfortunately, there are just too few volunteers.

[Djones]

Gotcha, thanks!

[Mondo]

@Mardi1

Curious as to why you didn’t address it directly to the scribe after the test ?

We were running a bit behind, and I wanted to finish collectives and my final comments and get on with the next rider. However, I decided that since the comment she took the liberty of making wasn’t wrong, I would chalk it up to inexperience and only address it if it happened a second time. It did not. I did make a point of making comments on every movement after that so that she had to keep her head down writing and not look up again to opine on the ride.

[HorsesinHaiti]

Certainly Mondo, I’m not about to tell a judge what to write!

I might be able to help at the March show after all. Whenever I do my first go at scribing, I’ll let you know how it went - and have a gazillion questions!

As in: are any of the eventing tests supposed to be printed on legal paper rather than letter sized paper? That would help with the squash effect.

[Mondo]

I think the tests usually should be printed on legal or A4 (EU letter size). Some shows print them front and back. That works too.

[HorsesinHaiti]

Hi all! The judge in March brought her own scribe, so my first try at scribing was yesterday. I shadowed for a bit and then took over for the rest of the day - which was at least 6 hours of scribing. My left hand was crying by the end! I’ve had to do tons of online training in recent evenings for Rotary (I’m President Elect for my club) so I didn’t spend as much time reviewing abbreviations as I wanted, which didn’t help.

The judge, Janice Holmes, was very kind and encouraging to a noobie scribe. She was willing to repeat when needed, and was patient the few times I wound up off-sync. I didn’t make any sync errors she couldn’t correct, she said I did a good job, the scorer said he could read all my numbers, and the show head said no one was complaining about my handwriting, so I guess I passed muster!

I did learn a good bit about what goes into a good score. Janice also explained a bit about how tests are designed, and how key issues build into others or resolve over the course of the test. I will definitely scribe again - with an abbreviation cheat sheet and a hand warmer for writers cramp!

[lorilu]

There is a glossary of terms and abbreviations on USDF’s website, I tend to leave out vowels. Just never substitute words. Get the finest pens you can find. FOr an error of course, use the red pen and write ERROR in the box over the movement’s directives. Its up to the judge to put the -2 on the back of the test, but I subtly remind them by passing them the red pen when I give them the test to do final remarks… Don’t forget to use the decimal point and 0 or .5 - NEVER jsut the number. (Judge should know better).

[Janet]

@HorsesinHaiti

are any of the eventing tests supposed to be printed on legal paper rather than letter sized paper?

AFAIK ALL the Eventing Dressage tests are supposed to be printed out on legal ( 8 1/2 by 14) paper

[SBrentnall]

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’ve scribed at local shows, CDIs and the World Cup. I’ve never seen a scribe be paid.