A Scribe's Plea

[Puddin Pie]

I finished scribing at a local schooling show today. The judge was great, the management was great. The competitors however, seemed to forget to check in with us at the judge's stand. While I realize that the schooling shows have many many new riders, please folks, check in at the stand. The steward was reminding everyone to do this and perhaps 5 out of all the rides all day identified themselves. I hope to get to know all of you eventually, but right now, there are only a few that I do know. And if the tests start getting a bit out of order because people are swapping times, and at a schooling show, such things to happen to try to help out everyone, I am really lost trying to get the right sticker on the right test.

Okay, plea/rant over. I was thrilled at the turnout for the show and glad everyone had a great time. And the cheeseburger was delicious.

[honeydoozy]

Thank you!!

I *always* appreciate it when a competitor tells me not only their number, but the test they're riding if they're *not* riding at their assigned time.

It's a couple of words that can save a scribe and judge from frantic scrambling or unfortunate 'getting caught up with the right test' errors. :)

[enjoytheride]

I was at a schooling show today and I have found that schooling shows are much more casual then a bigger show. Although this show seemed well run and I was able to "check in" with someone but I still had to ride by the judge and show her my number.

At larger shows there is an arena person who notes which riders enter the arena, counts down your time, and sends you in.

At the schooling shows you're left to remember your time and wander in on your own.

[merrygoround]

Huh!? You mean the rider whose horse never halted a X, stopped short of your lap, got the winning score because of the mass # confusion? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[kahjul]

Thanks for the info. I never tell the judge my name or number, I always assume that show management does that. I will, in the future, make sure the judge knows who I am when I pass by the stand before entering at A.

[Reiter]

I scribe as well as show and scribing has certainly changed how I approach the judges stand.
It helps to know what goes on on the other side! ;)
When I scribe and the rider doesn't say their number and I can't see it, I won't hesitate to ask for it. I'm always worried about writing on the wrong test, because things do get out of order! I love scribing though and I think the only thing that really bothers me is when I sit with a judge all day, scribe until my fingers hurt and my brain is leached dry from concentrating so hard and the judge treats me like a little peon the whole time and doesn't even say thanks!
Excuse me, I do this purely for the love of the sport with no reembursement but some dry cookies! Okay, rant over and this has only happend once but it still bugs me! :(

[FLeckenAwesome]

yay! just yesterday I told the scribe my number, thanked them for scribing and judging and then apologized to the judge for my hideous navy blue (but shiny and bright!! in the sun) helmet cover since i left my black one at home. Doh!!!

[CapitolDesign]

Thanks to your post, I made sure to announce myself during every test this weekend.

I got a cold stare and a bell to start my test, but I know they were secretly smiling inside ;)

[Puddin Pie]

Trust me, I thanked the few people who announced themselves!!

[Rhiannonjk]

Thanks to your post, I made sure to announce myself during every test this weekend.

I got a cold stare and a bell to start my test, but I know they were secretly smiling inside ;)

Hee... I ALWAYS tell them who I am and what I'm riding, even if it is a recognized show and I'm going right on time. So I've gotten that look a lot!

[magnum]

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There is a little known section of the annual USDF competition directory that covers all of this ... and more ... Called "Competition Protocols" (if memory serves) .... take time to READ it!

Magnum

[CLB15]

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There is a little known section of the annual USDF competition directory that covers all of this ... and more ... Called "Competition Protocols" (if memory serves) .... take time to READ it!

Magnum

From http://www.usdf.org/docs/competitions/handbook/AppendixD-DressageProtocol.pdf
"...
In the event of a scratch you do not have to ride ahead of your time. If you do opt to ride ahead of your scheduled time, this schedule variation should be brought to the attention of the judge and scribe.
When you present yourself at the arena area ahead of your time, you are saying you are ready to be judged...
Dressage competitions are scheduled to the minute and most competitions run on time.Check for the official to present yourself at the in-gate on time. Arriving late for your scheduled ride will result in elimination
..."

Maybe I'm missing it, but I don't think it specifies whether the competitor or management is to inform judges/scribes of changes?
I compete and volunteer at schooling shows (both as "management" and for specific jobs). I'd expect the show manager to keep their volunteers & judges informed of any changes/scratches/etc. If a rider will go ahead of schedule, the ring stewards at our small schooling shows will let the scribe/judge know as it is "part of the job". Having said that, I'd still expect riders to slow down and say hello to the scribe/judge, and let them know who they are- especially for people riding ahead of schedule or in place of a scratch.

[Margaret Freeman]

From a purely practical point of view, that little number that dressage horses wear can't be easily seen from very far away. And it isn't always in the same place on each horse -- bridle, boot, saddle pad. And, if there's only one number and it's on the opposite side of the horse, it can't be seen at all.

It's the scribe's responsibility to verify the number and write it on the top of the test. The sticker alone doesn't do the job because the stack of tests can and does easily get out of order, for any number of reasons. Some riders just head down to A and don't get anywhere near the judge's box, or circle around behind the judge's box. There's no way for the scribe to know who this person is.

Yes, management should inform the scribe of any changes. But it's often a long wet/muddy/dusty walk from the office to the ring steward and the ring steward to the scribe, and the runners are often headed to a separate location from the show office to deliver tests to the scorers. When changes happen quickly, there's no efficient way to get the changes to the scribe. When there's barely a minute between tests to sort out who's riding next, the scribe can't be jumping out of her box and chasing down the rider and/or the ring steward, and the ring steward can't be running back and forth because the riders then can't find her. And a walkie talkie in the judge's booth is not only distracting but can also startle horses.

Therefore, it only makes common sense (plus courtesy) to stop at the box and say your number to the scribe. This protects the rider from any mixups and makes life much easier for the scribe and the judge.

[Capriole]

Amen! It's so easy as you ride by the judge's booth to say "Good morning, I'm #23." And so vitally important.

I just posted this on another thread, but I was at a show last weekend where the scribe got two score sheets mixed up. (At least two, I should say -- that was the only situation I noticed.) And this was a recognized show with experienced volunteers.

[baylady7]

I make it just part of my routine.

Ride up to the judges box, halt, say "Good morning, ma'am (or sir), horse number 123, Dressage Bunny, ridden by Happy Camper."

They usually acknowledge that they have heard me, some even reply back good morning, and then we move on with our warm up.

It is also a good way to let your horse see that there are people in the judge box (or trailer or tent), which can be helpful.

Appy trails,
Kathy & Cadet

[Kimberlee]

Amen! It's so easy as you ride by the judge's booth to say "Good morning, I'm #23." And so vitally important.

Ditto

[Bayou Roux]

It is also a good way to let your horse see that there are people in the judge box (or trailer or tent), which can be helpful.


And they can see all the cool levade action your horse has when it balks at the trailer!

Do you think you get extra effort points on a TL test when that happens? :lol:

[swgarasu]

I haven't shown in a while, but I thought you weren't supposed to tell the judge your name, only your number? I used to always give my number but not my name.

[Reiter]

Ride up to the judges box, halt, say "Good morning, ma'am (or sir), horse number 123, Dressage Bunny, ridden by Happy Camper."

I don't know if there is a rule that you are just supposed to say the number, but for me personally the above is way too long.
I say, Good morning and my number. I do this while I'm trotting by, so anymore talking and I'd be down the long side already! :D
Both the judge and the scribe are encompassed in my greeting, since I do sit on the other side as well and would probably be a bit annoyed if someone would say "Good morning, Sir" to the judge and totally ignore me! ;)

[Puddin Pie]

Glad everyone has my back on this!! We tried a Walkie to have some communication this time, even though the office wasn't too far away. When it started squalking static and I could not get it to turn off or turn the volume down, I franticly ended up sitting on it to smother the noise. The judge realized what I was doing and got a laugh at it. I think the rider was on a 3 year old at the time-would not want to be the cause of any airs above ground. The trail riders who could be heard but not seen past A were enough action.

[ideayoda]

The scribe can always do what the event ones (have to) do, which is color/markings of horse as well as the number (while the judge is writing their general impressions).

[baylady7]

Good points!!

>>>>And they can see all the cool levade action your horse has when it balks at the trailer!
Do you think you get extra effort points on a TL test when that happens? <<<<

That would be cool. I had to wait at the end of the arena while exiting a test this weekend as the horse coming in after us was having some "issues" at the gate. My guy stood like a rock until it was safe for us to exit. He got extra treats from me for that!!!

>>>>>>>>>>Both the judge and the scribe are encompassed in my greeting, since I do sit on the other side as well and would probably be a bit annoyed if someone would say "Good morning, Sir" to the judge and totally ignore me!<<<<<

absolutely a good point as well!!! Maybe if we are south of the Mason-Dixon line we can say "good morning ya'all" and include everyone!!! (I love trying to explain "ya'all" to folks from up north). Being orinially from their I can blurt my greeting out at lightening Yankee speed (and still be understood)!!!

Appy trails,
Kathy & Cadet

[Capriole]

I haven't shown in a while, but I thought you weren't supposed to tell the judge your name, only your number? I used to always give my number but not my name.
There is nothing wrong with saying your name (the judge has a list of the riders, anyway), but saying your number is shorter and easier for all involved.

[SGray]

done a lot of scribing - seen a lot of errors from all sides - so I ask each rider their name and what test they are riding and check that info against the test we have - has saved much stress for all concerned

[rabicon]

I have a question. At our schooling show the scribe and judge sit at C and the ring steward is close to them. When we go in the ring steward actually tells the scribe and judge the number, so should I still tell them? I always tell the good morning or good afternoon but since the steward has always told them I've never said anything.

[Reiter]

Rabicon, your situation is a bit different (and unusual in my experience), so in your case I would probably just say the greeting as well.
I've never been to a show where the ring steward is next to the judges box!

[rabicon]

really, We go in right next to the judges box and at the other show the stewards have walkie talkies and talk to the scribe, so when we are about to go in they tell the scribe who we are. Guess we are lucky around her. :winkgrin: This is good to know though if we do a show that doesn't have the same tactics.