Back from 'Dressage at Waterloo Spring Classic' (a USEF level 3 competition). Judy convinced me to take both boys "you need practice going down the centerline". She had a point, as Saumur had skipped last year, and Remy only went to a couple of Intro classes. Not to mention yours truly being out of (show) practice... ergo, three rides per day: one on Saumur and two on Remy. No time to get bored!
With the truck and trailer loaded to the brim we headed out on Thursday. The schooling went well, despite blustering winds, rain, and looming thunderstorms. Friday started with Remy's TL 3 class, and ambitiously I had entered it as qualifier for Regionals. Good start: Even with some "whoopsies" (breaking in the canter) we received our qualifying score and won the class! Remy's second class went well also and I felt pretty good.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as well with Saumur, he got his tongue over the bit and that was it. The judge didn't see it and marked it down as "not forward enough, not enough contact" -- well, lady, you can't have contact if the tongue is over the bit. But OK, I didn't think too much about it.
The bummer came with Remy's class on Saturday. I had heard grumblings about that particular judge before (same one I had for Saumur), and sure enough, her comments really had me more than fuming (or, as my friend Stephanie would call it: "der Schachtelteufel ist los"). Whereas all other tests had great scores for harmony, and comments like "quiet rider", "lovely pair", this one wrote "the horse needs a partner, not a dictator". It could be humorous, because both Judy and George have been after me about being 'too nice', meaning not pushing my horses enough! But my sense of humor never came to the surface on this one, especially after JP innocently asked "do you think it's because you are German?!".
I went to the show office to talk with the manager (who, together with his staff, goes out of his way to accommodate competitors), and the TD (Technical Delegate). I made it clear that I am paying for constructive criticism, not for unqualified and non-quantified comments like this. The TD agreed and offered to send a copy of the score sheet to the USDF for the judges evaluation forum and also suggested I submit an evaluation form.
While talking with other competitors I found out that I was by no means singled out (good or bad?). I ran into a friend of mine who said "oh, I should have told you, I just scratch every time I am supposed to ride in front of this person, I don't need the abuse!". Others had tales about extremely low scores, 1s and 2s, without comments; or plain mean comments. To top it off, said judge was overheard in the tack store complaining about "the crappy riders she has to judge all day long". Well, lady, if you hate your job that much, get another one!
Luckily I had one more ride in a different arena, and that restored my faith in the system.
To sum it up:
The good: I had a great weekend, boys were awesome, I truly enjoyed the company of the Topline team and the other competitors
The bad: A 'bad apple' judge
The call to submit evaluations: Fill out the forms! In this case: "USEF Member's Confidential Evaluation of USEF Judges, Stewards, Technical Delegates, and Course Designers". Officially voice your concerns, only that way things may change.
Don't forget to point out the positive either, such as very helpful suggestions from the judges; or competition feedback on items such as footing, super organization (I greatly appreciated three guys from the show staff showing up at my trailer offering to unload; and also help fix a flat tire!). People need to know that they are doing a good job and that their hard work is appreciated.
Oh yes, and a little bragging at the end: Remy won the Training Level Championship :-)
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