Just wanting to check if it is common to lose marks for stumbling during a test (arena had a dip in it)?
I had always thought that you weren’t supposed to get marked down for things like this but in my most recent test I got a 3 for my horse tripping - to be fair it was a bit ott, she nearly went on her knees.
Thanks
Forget marks, I would be plenty worried that my horse was tripping on arena footing. Is this something she does often? In my experience tripping is a combination of bring unsound and on the forehand.
I wouldn’t expect a sound horse carrying themselves well to nearly fall on their knees just because of a dip in the arena. Not when I think about the kind of back country terrain I’ve tracked up hundreds of miles in as kid and adult with my horses never once missing a step.
Yes you will often lose points for a trip. The judge may not see the change in footing (and a noticeable dip in the footing should immediately be brought to the attention of the show manager), and so is marked as a “loss of balance”. I can’t comment on the actual score you got, but I’ve had many a small trip and it is either called a loss of balance or uneven steps–the trip itself is not commented on per se.
Yes, I have gotten marked down after a trip for “on the forehand.”
I bet the judge felt awful to give that score too. I’ve scribed a few times and honestly they hate seeing that happen or any mistake! My judges tried to make excuses until they couldn’t. When a dog ran out into the middle of the ring once, the girl’s pony cut off her circle so she let her try again… to bad it was the girl who caused the circle cut off but the judge still tried.
If you noticed there was a dip in the arena, you’d be wise to keep your horse’s shoulders ‘extra’ tall to prevent a trip. I also event and most of my dressage tests are on grass. It’s never very level and is often on lumpy, rutted and uneven ground. We’ve stumbled lightly - once. You can bet that was a big reminder to me to be very mindful of my horse’s posture!
Its unusual. One of the first and most important issues dressage addresses is a horse on the forehand. Before a horse can even use himself with his haunches engaged, he learns to start to get off the forehand. Head up, reaching under from behind and moving forward freely. The lateral work you do preparing even for training and first level begins to ask your horse to reach under and he has to get off the forehand to do any of the work at this basic level.
If your horse has underslung heels (underrun) and long toes, this is going to be a problem, as well, and its very common, unfortunately. I would look at these two things to start.
And here I thought someone finally had fun during a test!!! :lol:
Of course you are going to get marked down if you horse is stumbling around.
And you didn’t get a 3 for the tripping, you got a 3 for the whole movement; which may comprise of many things.
Ex. You are not gonna get a 6 on a canter departure if your horse almost fell on his knees. 
Tripping makes the gait uneven, which is marked down.
If the ring had a dip, too bad so sad. Were your horse the only one who tripped?
If not, maybe have a talk with the show management.
The only time little mistakes aren’t penalized per say are in Young horses classes. Like, the 4 yrs old can cut their corners and the 5yrs be more « expressive » than needed. 
I once watched two riders before me have trouble at the same spot in a ring at a schooling show on footing that had obviously not held up well to water. I lost a point for riding inside of the giant divot at that spot (knowing I’d rather take a deduction than get my horse stuck in a hole), and after the test immediately went to the ring steward and notified them of the problem. They took a quick break after the next rider and someone did some grooming on that spot.
I’d absolutely expect to lose points for a serious almost-falling-down trip, just like I expected to lose points for not riding into the corner to miss an obvious problem spot. Ride to protect your horse. Now, if the horse is tripping in normal, well-groomed footing that is just a little sloped, I’d be worried.
Okay thanks everyone.
And yes she was a bit on the forehand but she is a 5yo TB in a low level eventing test, she was great in the warm up but it was a little bit away from the arena and only got half a trot lap around the arena before the judge rang the bell so she was quite unsettled.
It is probably because I am used to pony club eventing tests so they must just be being generous which is why I didn’t say anything at the event but wanted to double check.
That’s typical. It sucks, but ideally you’re supposed to have the horse moving with enough impulsion and balance that they’re not tripping. If the ring had a dip you should inform a steward, but balance is one of the things we do get judged on.
The age of your horse and its level have nothing to do with the score you will get as the judge doesn’t have that info and even so, wouldn’t/shouldn’t take it into account.
Shows can get tight in time. Always be ready, check your time and go as ahead as you are allowed.
BTW, your « time » is set for when you have to enter the arena/when the judge ring the bell. So you always need to be going around the ring a few minute or so prior.
It’s unfortunate that you couldn’t do a full lap around the arena, but there is no rule that says you have to.
It is probably because I am used to pony club eventing tests so they must just be being generous which is why I didn’t say anything at the event but wanted to double check.
They must indeed be more generous at pony club shows.
But next time, don’t be shy to ask questions to the organizer. As long as you do so politely, they should answer them all.
Don’t you have 45s to enter at A after the bell rings? I ask because we do in Canada and that is plenty of time to trot all the way around a 20x60m arena.
I’ve seen lots of people at First and below basically panic when the bell rings and rip their horse round to get to A as fast as possible - losing the nice connection and balance in the process.
Yes - the basic formula for a judge to arrive at a score is:
Basics +/- Movement Directives +/- Modifiers
Basics are essentially the collective marks (gaits, submission, balance, rider, etc).
Movement Directives are the actual movement - such as the shoulder in, angle, bend, etc).
Modifiers are the little things that happen outside of the actual movement - they are NOT as important, but include things like a stumble, a spook, counter bending in a corner, etc - although outside of the directives of the movement, they are still part of the test. AND they can be an indicator of the basics - balance is a big part of the basics.
I would definitely expect to lose marks for the horse tripping, and any level of dressage.
The horse lost both rhythm and balance, and you can’t get a decent score without both of those.
I can think of no instance where a horse tripping and falling to their knees wouldn’t be penalized…balance and rhythm is the cornerstone of dressage riding…
What everyone else has said is true re getting marked down for a trip. But I wanted to give you a friendly reminder that you do have 45sec to enter the ring after the bell rings. Which is more than enough time to make a full lap of the ring at a brisk trot. Use all the time you have! Even at 4th level if my boy doesn’t go around the whole ring he can be a royal PITA about stuff. I make a point of doing a fair bit of cantering outside the ring to make sure we get everywhere I need to get him before we enter the ring.
While it is true that you have 45 seconds after the bell, once you enter the area around the arena the judge may ring the bell at any time s/he likes - I have had them ring it when I was halfway down the FIRST long side after the in gate! Also, remember you can enter the area around the arena when the prior horse has halted, saluted, and is walking out (but still in the arena)… Plan your warm up time so you can get to the arena midway through the prior test so you are ready to go in as soon as she salutes…
I did not expect my score to be any different because of my horse being green/unsettled I was just responding to above replies saying I should be worried about her being on the forehand or tripping. I would not be happy for a judge to skew marks toward anyone including myself for any reason at all.
And yes I started to go around the arena as the person before me was leaving I was not running late and was standing watching their test so I would be ready to go. I know the 45s rule but didn’t want to push it and feel like I need to rush (being the kind of person I am I would feel like that).
Thanks everyone for your help
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