Today was spent being a penciller for the Kyneton and District Adult Riders Club at their Dressage Test in Lancefield. Apart from the weather and the torrent of rain in the morning (which one poor woman had to work her test right in the middle of - she couldn't even see!) it was a good day.
It was also my first intro into dressage testing and being a penciller for a Judge.
The judge I worked with was a lovely person named Michelle and we did level 3 tests in ring one with 32 entrance, which equals a very long day of judging. Ten minutes per test from 9am to 3.10pm.
I did learn a heap of what is required, what the judges are looking for and the way the system works. I also learnt that all the appearance stuff isn't really necessary for judging, its just a nice and expected thing to do. There were some stunning horses there and, at level 3, some interesting riders as well.
At one stage I was watching a woman and said to Michelle, "If my instructor saw me ride like that I would be told I was doing everything wrong! Her feet are in the wrong place, her legs are forward, she is bouncing around like a yo-yo, her reins are in the wrong position etc." Michelle laughed and said, "You're right so if you have really only had 4 lessons your instructor would be really proud of you for even being about to recognise it in others." I was wrapped in that! I know my option doesn't count in these situations , but I can't just sit there a not speak the whole time, now can I?
KDARC have a really well set up operation and I heard a lot of people comment positively on different aspects of it. Particularly the 10 minute intervals, the way one tests leads into the next and the standard of comments by the judges. I will be passing on the feedback as I am sure they would be happy to hear it.
Though I enjoyed it and understand the dressage appeal more now I still don't see myself getting that into it. To think that each entrant probably prepared for a month of practise for the test, then to go to all the trouble of prissing and pruning yourself and your horse for the day, travel all the way there from all over the state to be in a test ring twice for 6 minutes each - well it does seem like a lot for a little. After all, it only promises a potential ribbon, a few points and a sense of satisfaction to walk away with at the end of the day. Sure you can practise in the warm up area for as long as you want but its really not the same thing. It makes me wonder why they don't have adult riders gymkhanas as that seems more like the kind of fun I'd like to have and you can still get the ribbons and sense of satisfaction at the end. Or am I too much of a generation X - instant gratification type when it comes to horse play?
At the end of the day Michelle said that she would be recommending me to be a penciller for future tests, saying, "You just have it!" "It" apparently being good listening, ability to pick things up and attention to detail. She also said she thinks I should "seriously consider" becoming a judge myself. Although I was pleased and flattered I don't know if either is a good idea.
After the pencilling work I thought I would go and take a few photos before I left and bumped into my instructor Kim and one of the girls that also goes to Aurum, Ma
ddy and her family.Maddy was there to do her first level 5 test and Kim had tested in Level 1 that morning but had driven back to support Maddy in her first trial. I thought that was a very nice thing for Kim to do. Maddy is 12 years old and has a beautiful cross Clydie named Bobby. I too stuck around to offer a show of support to Maddy and get some more pictures.
I will email them to Maddy and find out how she scored on Wednesday.
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