One line of advice before the bell rings...

[Carol O]

Okay, how about one line of advice for the show riders out there.

Check your look in the mirror and make sure your hat is on straight.

Your turn....

[TeddyRocks]

Check the rules... If your in a championship of some sort, DROP YOUR WHIP before entering at A. :eek:

I think that still applies...

[tlw]

About whips - make sure yours is the correct length. Many folks rely on the manufacturer to get it right. Don't!

[J-Lu]

Know where the points are in your test (i.e. where the coefficients are, where the transition scores are, etc.) so if you screw something up, you can fix it with minimal "point damage" and move on with your ride.:winkgrin:

[AmandaandTuff]

Wear appropriate colored undergarments. White works best, NEVER black!!

[Foxtrot's]

Breathe, relax.

[honeydoozy]

Make sure you have someone handy to remove your horse's boots and wipe yours. :winkgrin:

[Surviving the Dramas]

"Smile, and have fun. We do this because we love it" (sometimes there's a hint of sarcasm if warm up hasn't gone well, sometimes its because the rider is a bit stressed!)

That's my notable contribution to friends/pupils just before final warm up around the ring.

[lovemyrobin]

Okay, how about one line of advice for the show riders out there.

Check your look in the mirror and make sure your hat is on straight.

Your turn....

Funny, but so true. My 15yr old "know it all" daughter was in a hurry getting ready for her first class at a show. She didn't want to be bothered doing her hair "the correct way" so she slammed on her helmet with her high pony tail tucked underneath. Judges comments "rider needs to quit tilting her head ", and all the show pictures show a nicely tilted helmet. She hasn't done that one again.

[lovemyrobin]

Another good one--after a tense day at my first rated show, we were sitting at the hotel drinking and watching videos of our rides. My trainer said "this is so silly, getting all worked up today about riding a bunch of straight lines and circles" Needless to say , we all had a good laugh at ourselves (day 2 was much more relaxed)

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

KNOW your test, even if you have a reader.

(I watched a test the other day where the reader/trainer gave the wrong directions, and was loudly corrected by the rider as she went on her way! :lol:)

[Carol O]

Make sure your fly is zipped! I watched a BNT in California ride a test on a hot day. Jackets were optional, so at least he had a nice breeze!

[yaya]

Make sure your fly is zipped! I watched a BNT in California ride a test on a hot day. Jackets were optional, so at least he had a nice breeze!

Considering some of the pictures that have been posted here, I sure hope it wasn't Steffen! :eek:

[SillyHorse]

The best advice I ever got just before we were ready to start was, "SMACK HIM!" :lol:

For the best line of general advice, I agree with Melissa.H.J. Know your test.

[lorilu]

Ride it like you own it.

[Reiter]

If you have a spooky horse, make sure you ride by the judges stand in both directions. Sometimes the boogy man only comes out on one side and you don't want that to be during the test! ;)

[Tiligsmom]

Ride your transitions between and within gates while you're circling the outside of the arena to ensure he's totally on your aids.

[Dressage Art]

Right before the bell rings, do some quick transitions. Do not just walk or just trot around waiting for the bell to ring - judges do not care for that. Use that time to:

If your horse is too energetic, do down transitions such as trot/walk, canter/walk.

If your horse lacks energy do transitions with in the gaits such as medium canter to collected canter, medium trot to collected trot.

If your horse is resistant to the bridle, do lateral work such as leg yield or shoulder in.

If your horse is looky - keep him busy with transitions every 5-10 steps.

[mp]

Right before the bell rings, do some quick transitions. Do not just walk around - judges do not like that.

?????

[Anselcat]

Show up on time and smile at the ring steward and scribe!

[TBROCKS]

Right before the bell rings, do some quick transitions. Do not just walk or just trot around waiting for the bell to ring - judges do not care for that.

Um, what? What judge has time to worry about how the next horse is going around the ring? Unless the horse is really acting the fool, they barely glance up. In real life, the judge is scrambling to finish up the prior score sheet so it will be ready for the score runner, and trying his/her best to keep the show running on time. Unless the judge has a bad reputation and only 2 riders entered the class.

[nhwr]

Lengthen down the center line. It give a good first and last impression of a forward horse. Just make sure you have practiced your downward into the halts from a lengthening.

P.S. I have scribed enough to know that judges do indeed pay attention to what riders are doing before they enter the ring and it often subconsciously does set the tone for their impression of the ride.

[Tiligsmom]

Good Point NHWR!

I too have scribed quite a bit and that 1st impression before and just after entering the ring sets the judge's expectations for the rest of the ride (good or bad). Of course, they are supposed to judge each movement individually, but they are human. If you see some great stuff early on, you look for great stuff later in the test.

That very forward, confident charge down the center line and a perfectly balanced halt at X is a key expectation setting move. Of course, if you and your horse fall apart completely for the rest of the test, there's no saving you :(

[Dressage Art]

I’ve also been scribing for the last 8 years and also created a website about scribing: http://www.geocities.com/scribing101/ From that experience, judges do pay attention to what riders are doing before they even enter a ring. If a rider just pitter-patters around, judge might ring her bell sooner,... than for a rider who is doing transitions and “working/warming” up her horse. If a rider would like to get more time before the bell rings, it probably will help not to pitter-patter.

As for a halt, Axel Steiner said something along the lines that he can usually predict the whole test from a first halt... So, yes, halts are quite important and there are 2 in each test from Training to GP.

[mp]

I’ve also been scribing for the last 8 years and also created a website about scribing: http://www.geocities.com/scribing101/ From that experience, judges do pay attention to what riders are doing before they even enter the rings. If a rider just pitter-patters around, judge might ring the bell sooner,... than for a rider who is doing transitions and “working/warming” up her horse. If a rider would like to get more time before the bell rings, it probably will help not to pitter-patter.

You said judges "do not care for that." And I was wondering why. I do whatever I think my horse needs to be at his best. If I think he's done enough transitions and just needs to pitter-patter about, why would a judge care? Judging starts when I enter at "A," doesn't it?

And if I'm not ready by the time the other rider exits the ring, I'm screwed anyway.

[Pony Fixer]

Relax. Then ride the horse, not the test.

[Carol O]

Got your number?

[J-Lu]

Got your number?

Good one! I've been here before and the ring steward didn't catch it...luckily I have friends who can run fast! :lol:

[Vesper Sparrow]

Similar to the above, but at the end of the test...
Don't forget to stop for tack check before you do absolutely anything else...:)
Otherwise you will have a lot of explaining and pleading to do.

[Dressage Art]

You said judges "do not care for that." And I was wondering why. I do whatever I think my horse needs to be at his best. If I think he's done enough transitions and just needs to pitter-patter about, why would a judge care? Judging starts when I enter at "A," doesn't it?

And if I'm not ready by the time the other rider exits the ring, I'm screwed anyway.

You are correct, judging does starts at A and judges are not suppose to judge or form an opinion before a rider is inside of arena. At "L" they kept repeating that judges should be blind to what is going on outside their arenas... I don't think that you should worry about that. It's more a question of the TIME that a judge would give you before she rings the bell for you. I've scribed for many judges who would look up, note if a rider is not doing anything, then they would say something along those lines: "let's not waist our show time on pitter-pattering around and get her in the ring" and would ring the bell. Sometimes even before the rider went the whole way around... One of the jobs of judges is to keep the show on time. Judges always worry about that.

If you don't need to refresh your horse with additional transitions or give your horse time to look around - then the time that you would spend right before the bell rings probably will not affect you - don't worry about it then and ride your horse the way that is beneficial to both of you.

I personally like to circle the arena 2 times: once at trot and once at canter to show my horse how the surroundings look before I go in and feel what kind of horse do I have now under me. My current mare can change quite a bit just walking from warm up to a show arena. I really don’t know if she will loose her “GO” button and freeze, be mesmerized by her surrounding or she will have a “GOx3” times as usual b/c there are cows running next to arena who she needs to outrun NOW, wind blowing flags and bushes!!! Time before the bell is crucial for us.

[molliwog]

If your horse is spooky or sucks back a bit, ride him or her FORWARD around the outside of the arena.

I've scribed a lot. ANd yes, the judge is not supposed to "judge" this part of the ride. However, more than one seasoned judge has observed, quite correctly, that the timid riders who can't figure out how to get old Dobbin moving around the outside of the ring often have great difficulty with their tests.

I ride a hot spooky one...he can twist his head sideways to look at whatever when he's going around the outside, but he still has to go forward......as long as he is ahead of my leg I can get him by anything, it's just not always pretty. And the judge would much rather see this that 50 whirl and spooks.....

[MyReality]

Just ride that damn horse. It's between you and your horse now.

It's all about letting the training comes out. Focus on each other, let's do it!
Tune into each other, deal with each circle and turn, tune out everything else. It's too late to strategies. Can't believe people are discussing what the judges are thinking... a good ride is a good ride.

Remember your best show is no better than your worse ride. Training is about improving a horse's consistency. If the training is there, it will show.

[mp]

I've scribed a lot. ANd yes, the judge is not supposed to "judge" this part of the ride. However, more than one seasoned judge has observed, quite correctly, that the timid riders who can't figure out how to get old Dobbin moving around the outside of the ring often have great difficulty with their tests.

You don't have to be qualified as a judge to figure that one out. ;)


I ride a hot spooky one...he can twist his head sideways to look at whatever when he's going around the outside, but he still has to go forward......as long as he is ahead of my leg I can get him by anything, it's just not always pretty. And the judge would much rather see this that 50 whirl and spooks.....

Again, what a judge would rather see in the moments before entering at A has nothing to do with the score, does it? I've always assumed judges are like everyone else watching -- they'd like to see riders do well.

I ride a hot one, too. But he's not spooky -- just opinionated and expressive. For the trip around the outside of the ring, I need to work on his frame of mind more than anything else and do whatever is necessary to get him to focus and behave his bad self. Or he'll give me the finger several times during the test, which I'm sure the judge won't like. :lol:

As My Reality said, just ride that damn horse.

[nhwr]

If a judge feels you used your time in the ring ineffective before you enter at A, that will likely be reflected in your score if you have any issues.

I typically try to compete at least one level below the level I am schooling at home. I use the time in the arena before entering the ring to establish a foundation for the test - attention, confirm a good half halt, then play and show off a little of some of the things we are good at in the next level. So when I go into the test, the horse thinks we are taking it easy and the judge has a chance to see we aren't pushing the envelope, in terms of training.

[Dressage Art]

My current mare is hot, very opinionated and when I bought her were a rear and a head shaker. My previous GP trainer refused to ride my mare b/c "she is not safe to ride" and strongly advised me to sell her and get a horse more suitable for dressage. So I know a thing or two about hot and opinionated horses who know how to use their middle finger... and it is transitions right before the bell rings that can save your whole test, b/c this is how you tune them to focus on to your aids and away from the scary surroundings.

I disagree with the "damn horse" advice - especially if one thinks that pitter-pattering around can be called "riding your damn horse" and the training will show up by itself. If that was true a GP schoolmaster could take a monkey thru a GP test ;) Riding your horse is a partnership and riding correctly is done thru transitions and Half Halts. Good transitions = good preparation.

Several years ago, I took a 3 day clinic with Rachel Savedra (GP pro) and she was the first one who made a big emphasis on the pressures time we have before the bell rings. We worked on that and it really helped me during my shows. Don’t underestimate or waist those 1-2 minutes before the bell rings – they do make a difference and most of people who show often do have a plan for them.

[mp]

I disagree with the "damn horse" advice - especially if one thinks that pitter-pattering around can be called "riding your damn horse" and the training will show up by itself. If that was true a GP schoolmaster could take a monkey thru a GP test

Not to speak for My Reality, but training applies to both horse and rider.

Riding your horse is a partnership and riding correctly is done thru transitions and Half Halts. Good transitions = good preparation.

That's what "ride that damn horse" means, my dear. You just used a lot more words.

[Dressage Art]

That's what "ride that damn horse" means, my dear. You just used a lot more words.
I thought that you were looking for a genuine clarification and show advice, but it seems that you are just out to pick a fight.

[MyReality]

I did not mean pitter-pattering around. I mean exactly what you mean as well. I mean focus, and reliving the movements what you've schooled all the time. The times which you two try to create the magic.

You get in, the horse needs HH, give him HH... the horse needs forward, give him forward. That's riding the horse... which is no different from riding at home. That's what I am trying to say. You can play it up for the judges, but if you are confident enough to do that, you probably need no advice.

There will be very seasoned competitors who aim at impressing the judges at various angles. Why not. For the rest of us, to get that focus and not get affected by those sitting at C, is very important. I find myself not riding at shows all the time... the horse is doing his thing, I am busy worrying about the pattern, and worrying where his head is... instead of honestly ride every stride like we were at home.

The OP ask about one advice before the bell rings. I interpret it as, one concise, absolute most important thing to remember... like what your coach/friend will whisper to you quickly right before you enter. Usually my coach will say "Show them!" Perhaps it's a matter of interpretation, but I couldn't imagine that the most important thing to remember, is about what to do outside the ring, not that it is trivial either. If the OP is asking, how to gain the competitive edge while entering and exiting, I believe your answer would be very appropriate... and deserve a thread in itself.

[mp]

I thought that you were looking for a genuine clarification and show advice, but it seems that you are just out to pick a fight.


You did clarify what you meant by "judges don't care for" pitter-patter or whatever. Thank you.

I didn't ask for show advice.

I don't pick fights.

[Puddin Pie]

Make sure to check in with the scribe or ring steward if they are at the end gate. Always good to be riding the same test that the judge is judging-mistakes do happen in test order or other things. See prior post of a Scribe's Plea.

[Eireamon]

I am often guilty of going into the ring and in the event of just concentrating on my test and keeping it going I forget to really ride my horses as strongly as I should.

So my trainers daughter said to me a version of Lorilus.

"Ride it like you stole it!"

[nhwr]

I live in So Cal and my old trainer surfed a bit.

She paraphrased Eireamon's concept this way;
If it swells, ride it :D :lol: :yes:

[SillyHorse]

She paraphrased Eireamon's concept this way;
If it swells, ride it :D :lol: :yes:
:o:o:eek::lol::eek::o:o

[Luvmyappy]

I know this sounds silly and unclassical but...my mare loves to occationally explode at the bell :( so...there she is standing at the far end of the dressage ring waiting for the bell to ring. I mean she's supposed to behave and obey but she has her own agenda some days so it's best not to rock the boat at shows.
I'm sure the judge is perplexed at the dumb horse and rider standing there waiting.

[NovDressageRdr]

Dont tell someone to relax. From personal experience, when I was in the chute (I used to barrel race) someone would tell me to relax and I would start to freak and of course the horse senses that.

[goeslikestink]

acknowledge the judge before and after your test

[mtngirl]

If the weather is really hot, have a helper hand you a washcloth that has been soaked (and wrung out) in cold, ice water. Take a moment and breath in the coolness. It will help to clear your mind and refresh you!

[Carol O]

I like that one mtngirl! I will use it!

[Foxtrot's]

Leave me alone to put on my game face. I can't chat and concentrate at the same time. But bring me a nice cool cloth - I would like that.