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Q :I
recently attended the National Dressage Championships at
Taupo and I was interested in the huge variation in marks
given. In some tests, one or two judges had a certain combination
placed first or second whilst the other judge had them right
down the field. This seemed very inconsistent and it must
make it difficult for the riders. What are your views?
Curious, Cambridge
A :There
are some very valid reasons for a result being different as
you describe, one of the most common being where the judges
are situated around the arena. With three judges, usually two
are situated on the short side (one being at C) and then a
third on the side at either B or E. The view from the long
side is often very different from that on the short side, in
fact so different there are certain criteria than can only
be judged from one or other positions. An obvious example is
the accuracy of the halt. From the side it is clear whether
this is on X or not and indeed the placement or ‘squareness’ of
it and the overall submission. From C it is possible to assess
with confidence the straightness not only of the halt but the
trot (or canter) before and after. Equally the shoulder-in
can look regular and supple from the long side, but from the
short side the judges may note that the submission could be
better (maybe there is a small head tilt which is difficult
to see from the side) and angle is lacking or too great. As
a result, this and other similar movements, can score very
differently from different positions. Having said that, should
the combination fulfil all of the Scales of Training to the
degree required for the level, the individual scores will be
very similar.
It has to be said that whilst onlookers may be confused, the
riders do have the benefit of the completed test sheet to give
them explanations as to the reason why marks were given for various
movements in the test. As well as this, there is a collective
comment given at the bottom, setting out the judge’s overall
impression of the way of going.
I know that Dressage New Zealand is, in any event, committed
to the continued education of its judges who are, after all,
a group of dedicated people keen to contribute to a sport which
they love. They are encouraged to apply the Scales of Training
to their assessments, balanced with their experience as riders,
competitors and/or trainers. We are very fortunate that they
are willing to offer their time and expertise in order that we
may participate in the sport we enjoy.
 |
The
view from the long side of the arena is often very different
from that at ‘C’ |
Q :I
am an adult rider having taken up riding four years ago and
enjoy both dressage and jumping, as well as hacking out of
course. I have owned by 11-year-old TB/ID mare for two years.
I had her vet-checked before buying her, but a few months later,
when she constantly had difficulty going down hills, she was
diagnosed with an old sacroiliac injury. This means she is
somewhat choppy in her stride and doesn’t step through
to the extent that we would want for dressage. In particular
I have had a great deal of trouble getting her to strike off
on the correct canter lead to the right side.
We do reasonably okay at training level and I have won a couple
of local dressage tests but the judges’ comments usually
include ‘uneven’ or ‘unbalanced’. I was
having regular lessons until about four months ago due to financial
constraints. Can you suggest any exercises to help build up her
supporting muscles so I can ensure she is not sore from the work
we do together and to improve her ability to strike off correctly
on to the right canter lead?
Glenys, Wellington
A :The
first aspect that I think it would be good to establish, Glenys,
is your understanding of the injury that your mare has suffered
in the past. I am sure that you will have taken advice from
your vet concerning this but in essence the sacroiliac joint
is located at the point of the pelvis where the spine joins
it. Amongst other things the joint is supported
by thick, strong ligaments which give this joint stability.
A traumatic injury such as twisting and falling in a float,
which the spine is weight bearing whilst out of alignment,
can cause this condition, and indeed there are other causes
such as pregnancy when hormonal changes cause relaxation of
the ligaments and then the subsequent load can pull this area
out of alignment. Due to this misalignment, the horse will
take uneven steps behind and have a stronger and a weaker hind
leg, and it is these symptoms that the judges are noting.
You mention that your mare still has a sloping nature to her
rump on one side which indicates to me that this joint is still
not in alignment and muscle wastage has taken place. Furthermore,
it must be mentioned, as with the human version of the same complaint,
varying degrees of discomfort may be experienced by your mare
especially with the rider weight added.
Firstly, you must ask your equine physio to come and take a look
to see if your mare’s pelvis can be repositioned, although
I appreciate that this can take some time to achieve, and it
may well be that you are advised not to ride her during this
time so that her back may get rest.
It has to be said that until there is some improvement in her
condition any exercises that I may suggest to you will be ineffective.
I am so sorry that I cannot be more helpful but this treatment
will be necessary in order for you to ride a happy, comfortable
horse who is capable of working in a way that the judges will
appreciate.
Q :Can
you please explain a little about what is required at Elementary
level for the movements that require a collected to medium
trot (or canter) then back again? Some of the tests give a
separate mark for the transition and it is in this regard that
I am being scored down. The comment is generally along the
lines that the transition is too progressive, but it
is, after all, only level three! What is reasonable at this
level in your opinion?
Tanya, Wairarapa
A :It is at Elementary level, Tanya, that judges first expect to
see clear transitions in and out of lengthened paces. In order
to show the type of transitions that will be appreciated by
them you must first look to suppleness, impulsion and balance.
If any of these factors are lacking then it will not be possible
for your horse to react from the leg aid to show the differences
expected. By level three, we are looking to see the hind leg
start to carry more of the weight of the horse by coming more
under his body. The transitions asked for are to test this
ability to carry the weight behind and keep the forehand self-carrying.
Do remember that the collection required to be seen is first
degree only. Therefore, given the qualities mentioned above,
it is reasonable to expect to see a transition certainly within
a couple of strides between the movements stipulated in the
test.
Q :I am having a few problems with the walk-canter-walk transitions
required in some tests. We can do walk to canter just fine
but downwards, either I get trot steps in the middle or a halt!
Can you please suggest what I need to do to get a nice, active
walk transition from canter? My horse is on the strong, forward
side.
Sam, Otago
A :Well,
Sam, despite your horse being on the forward side, he does
not sound as if he is, as yet, on your aids sufficiently and
whilst he is happy to react to the canter aid from walk, which
is a lot about listening to your leg, he is clearly not so
eager to listen to your rein aids. For this reason I would
suggest that you practise a lot of transitions but do not start
off with the very difficult canter-walk transitions but with
less demanding ones where trot is required. These are most
successfully achieved with the use of half-halts, where we
ask the horse to listen to us, rebalancing himself in the process
in order that the canter-walk transition can ultimately be
achieved with lightness of the forehand and a ‘sitting’ quality
to the hind legs.
Having focused on the horse, a word of advice about the rider!
If your horse is to be able to balance himself sufficiently in
such a difficult downward transition, do remember to be in balance
with him! Remain upright in your position neither leaning back
(which will push the hind legs away) or forward (which will give
him additional weight to cope with on his forehand). Happy transitions!
