Will you share your test comments and general remarks?

[RogersChapelFarm]

I am in the USDF L judge training program and I would like to see if you all can help collect interesting comments from your tests as well as general remarks at the bottom of your tests. PLease tell what movement, test, and/or level the comments refer to and it will help to build an acceptable AND unacceptable vocabulary for us to discuss using when judging. I think we also could use a great deal of help formulating the bottom general remarks and would like to see what is used by judges out there. Anyone willing to share this info? Pretty please?

They ask for us to scribe and try to develop this vocabulary from that but the vast pool of show riders here should be very helpful too! I am going to collect my own old tests and see what I find. I will have a new perspective as a potential judge. I am also asking my friends to share what they have and provide me their tests for those willing to share. I am looking for what terminolgy you appreciate and do not. I would especially like to hear the comments that you found very helpful in justifying the good and bad or explaning the score given and the choice of vocabulary of various judges. It is up to you if you name the judge that said it...
Thanks!

[Ajierene]

Well, other than the usual 'stiff', 'bit late', etcetera, I ALWAYS get 'cute mare' on my tests. I do not think I have one test that does not have that as part of the comments at the bottom of the test. Always makes me feel good!

Earlier in my career, I would get training tips as well, such as 'work on moving her more forward'.

[honeydoozy]

I always get a giggle at "nice pair"....

(they are, but isn't it the horse/rider the judge should be looking at?)

:lol:

[Arathita]

I actually hate recieving trite comments such as "nice pair" or "lovely pair". I know that judges often use this comment as the mandatory positive comment that they are instructed to give even if the overall ride is bad. It is therefore meaningless to me. In fact, I consider the comment "lovely pair" to mean that the judge had nothing else to say-or nothing more positive to say. I know many judges and I scribe quite often.

I know that judges are not supposed to give advice/lessons on a test but I would prefer meaningful remarks that apply to my ride rather than generic comments.

This occurs from training through FEI, although less so at FEI in my experience.

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

I've forgotten (repressed??) the exact wording, but I think it was an accurate general remark - "Today, horse did not show requirements for the level"
It had been a classic example of a sufficient test - we did the movements, probably even in the right places, but we did not "confirm that the horse's muscles are supple and loose and that it moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit" that day...

[Valentina_32926]

I was (long ago) told by an "S" judge that "horse is ignoring your leg - use whip" - Best advice I could have gotten. I applied that before I rode the second test and improved by 2-3%. Funny I knew to do that but was acting like a passenger not a rider. She really motivated me.

I've also had them tell me the obvious (at least to me since I was riding) "horse is bracing". That just tells me that can see what I'm feeling :lol: but at least it proves they're paying attention. :winkgrin:

[Carnelian]

I actually hate recieving trite comments such as "nice pair" or "lovely pair". I know that judges often use this comment as the mandatory positive comment that they are instructed to give even if the overall ride is bad. It is therefore meaningless to me. In fact, I consider the comment "lovely pair" to mean that the judge had nothing else to say-or nothing more positive to say. I know many judges and I scribe quite often.

I know that judges are not supposed to give advice/lessons on a test but I would prefer meaningful remarks that apply to my ride rather than generic comments.

This occurs from training through FEI, although less so at FEI in my experience.

Ditto. I laugh when others fall for the obligatory positive comment and ignore the meat of the remarks. "Wow, she thinks we are an attractive pair!" I want criticism/advice/comments I can use (as constructively as possible).

I've always wondered if judges are taught in the program to start or end with a positive comment. Get to the good stuff so showing can be a learning experience for me!

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

hee - "Nice turnout" is the one I really dread. Was there nothing else to feel positive about??

I appreciate when the collective comments really do point toward a general theme I can improve. "Greater relaxation in back witll lead to higher scores" Underlining the relevant missing parts - "suppleness" and "engagement" under "impulsion" helps too.

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

Good timing! I recently found a box with some 1999 tests. Some with an OTTB gelding, some with a SF/TB mare. All remarks are from Training Level. Scores unless noted were between 58% and 64%

Collective Marks:
"Nice horse. He needs to stay straighter in his transitions."

"Be careful to keep the poll the highest point. Canter tight in back. Work on getting him to stretch into contact in all three gaits. (From submission marks, same test: "Poll low at times. More submissive in trot than canter.")

"Needs to develop suppleness."

"Horse shows a lot of potential. He needs to relax in his back so he can use his hocks better under him."

"Needs relaxation."

"Your horse must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed today!" (Score: 48.64%)

"Work on his coming energetically forward from your leg."

"Much better balance due to engagement and puddles." :lol:

"Tactful riding on tense horse."

"Keep working in this direction."

"Potentially very capable horse who is just having a tense day."

[FriesianX]

They DO teach the judgettes to say something positive in the summary comments - but they also say to avoid trite, meaningless comments (such as nice tail, cute horse, etc). They want you to comment on the good and the bad in the final remarks - during the rest of the ride, you should hit on a highlight - if the score is 7 or 8 (or even better), the idea is to let people know what it could take to make it even BETTER. If the score is less 6 or less, the comment is what went wrong. If you have time, you can make comments like "good angle, but needs more engagement" (what went right, what is needed to make it better).

In the overall comments, they want something that summarizes the good and the bad.

When you deal with a less than stellar ride ride (and yes, you will see some where you struggle to find a positive comment!), some comments I found that were at least kind of useful included:

Steady, gentle horse, but needs more engagement and reach in his stride to score better.

Good energy, but needs to develop engagement and self carriage to show collection required at this level (you'll see a few of those - still in a working gait and frame, playing around at 2nd level).

Tactful rider, but horse must accept rider aids and show relaxation and less tension in the back.

Good energy level, shows some nice moments especially in lateral work (or wherever you notice something good), but short neck and tight back caused by restrictive rider hand in much of the ride.

Steady test, but canter needs more jump throughout (you'll see a lot of that too, especially as people experiment with 2nd level).

The funniest comment I ever recieved from a judge - and this was in a disasterous ride, windy day, judge's tent actually air lifted during our ride - "talented horse, tactful ride, however airs above the ground not required in at this level" - she added a smiley face:lol:

By the way - as you go through your D-2 testing, you'll start to recognize some good comments that are applicable more often - listen closely to comments the examiners use.

I went through the L a few years ago - great education! And I scribed for someone else through their testing, so I've been through the testing a couple of times now :lol: Much less stressful when I was the scribe though:winkgrin: I have to agree - scribe as often as you can for as many good judges as you can - it helps a lot. And on breaks, write down comments you really liked, and practice them until the language rolls off your tongue easily. And - when you scribe, let the judges know you are going through the L - some of them might actually help you. I had a couple who would ask me to score the collectives and give my comments - and then they'd tell me whether they agreed or not! And they took the time to discuss and answer questions on their breaks - judges as a whole were VERY supportive.

[rabicon]

training test 1 comments Recent test

C track left circle 20 M at E 7 Could take bolder strides

working canter left lead bw/ k and a 7 Could have rounder depart with more jump

HXF free walk F A med. walk 5 (our problem spot) needs to cover more ground in FW much more energy needed

BW/H and C working canter right lead 3 wrong lead did not correct until after B :no:

bw. centerline and B working trot 6 trans. could be more organized

track left a c circle 20 M 7 good tempo sometime behind vertical

circle trot at E 8 better in connection here

A down centerline and X halt salute 8 prompt and balanced

A down centerline and x halt salute proceed working tort 8 straight active move off then judge wrote herself Good Confident Entry



Training 1 test of the past before we developed our canter

K and A working canter 5 rushing into canter hollow

Bw/ centerline and B working trot 6 obedient but tight in neck

Trot circle at E right 7 could bend off inside leg more

B circle right canter 5 unclear bend and balance

B circle right at canter 6 running a bit

training 4 test in the beginning

bw/ c and h working canter left lead 6 A bit explosive :lol: got this one a few times back then

M med walk m-b med walk 6 abrupt

E-C working canter C working trot 5 running fell into hand

[rabicon]

comments I've gotten from the first test last year (that was really bad) until now

Some nice moments horse needs to be a bit more steady on the outside rein
cute pair-some nice riding to get horse thru test :lol:
Good basics lovely ride work to keep energy/tempo consitent and connection
A bit quick and tense rider handled well
nicely through the back
pleasant pair capable of much higher scores when horse develps more honest cnxn over back to bit and is able to stay more in bal. in all trans and in canter
careful not to allow curl behind the vertical and keep thinking frwd in walk. lovely test steay and obedient horse good team!
good job very pleasant test
be careful not to get horse behind the vertical (overflexed) ride a little more energetically forward into allowing hand and watch scores go up (we got a 64)
attractive and talented team! some nice dressage basics demostrated
very pleasant ride
pleasant test work to develop better stretch
obeidient and steady careful not to let horse get to low and behind vert. think back to front, "nice ride!"
nice trot work needs lots of canter transition and O's to develop softness and balance
pleasant ride!
pleasant test!

these are in no order just mixed up hope it helps

[amm2cd]

My personal favorite comment was after the judge motioned me over after my halt to ask what breed my horse was.
me: "He's a 4 foundation quarter horse"
Scribe: "No shit?" *looks appologetically at judge*
Judge thanks me, i leave.
Comment: Lovely obediant horse with great potential. Sorry about the language :)

It made me laugh out loud.

[Dressage Art]

Another "L" with "D" here. In your final exam, you will need to show that you can use specific suggestions and not rely only on the general corrections that can be applicable to many riders.

Further remarks can touch on either "purpose" of the level or either on the "collective marks". It is encouraged to make a "sandwich" or at least try to achieve a balance of positive & negative. Further remarks should cover the BIG picture, the essence of the level requirements. While scoring the test, you will hear yourself saying the same things more often than others, theoretically similar comments would appear in your collectives. That would be a clue on what to write in your "further remarks". I try to zero in on a change that rider can benefit the most from. I try to send the same message in further remarks and collectives with a question did this rider meet the "Purpose" of this level.

For example:
Training level purpose: "...moves freely forward..." ride with the lowest score in “impulsion" with collective comments: "lack of activity":
Further remarks:***Appealing horse & well organized ride. Horse needs self motivation and desire to go actively, freely forward from rider's light aids.

1st level purpose: "...thrust and pushing power..." with the lowest score in "impulsion" with collective comments: "tempo is too fast"
Further remarks:***Secure rider & powerful horse. Horse lacks suppleness and tends to hurry. Work in developing pushing power needed at this level. Rider rushes from movement to movement as well.

2nd level purpose: "...reliably on the bit..." with the lowest score in "rider" with collective comments: "needs giving hands/unsteady hands"
Further remarks:***Imposing horse. Some promising moments at times. Horse needs to be steadier in connection, reliably on the bit & more engaged from the rider's soft aids. Better self carriage & giving hands will help to develop harmony between horse and rider. "

[Ibex]

I personally loved the "good combination" remark after I had a brainmelt and forgot to ride, and the schoolmaster I was leasing made it clear this was unacceptable... :lol:

I also loved the "horse shows promise" comment... while showing training level on the same horse... who was schooled to PSG...

[Tiligsmom]

Another one here who doesn't like the trite "nice pair", "cute horse", "nice turnout" etc. blather. If my test was so bad as to not warrant any constructive positive commentary, then the score and comments should reflect that!!!

I think it's important for the judge to note what was done well and what wasn't, but don't give empty compliments....

[purplnurpl]

how bout:

under collective remarks
"rider needs to look up definition of circle"

One that helped me a TON with my walk (any walk other then stretch)
"move hands with horse"
My walk scores went up 2 points after this mark. I started moving my arms with the motion instead of holding.


One that BUGS ME!
as the comment of any movement.
judge/scribe writes "horse needs to be more forward"
forward is a DIRECTION! I'm already moving forward. (forward is the opposite of backward)
did you mean horse needs more impulsion?

[stripes]

Here's a Training Level Test 2 complete with video. There's a little bit of liberty footage at the beginning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRMkFCKx0r8

1. A enter working trot, X Halt, Salute. Proceed working trot - 6 - resting rt hind in halt, not str8 in move off
2. C Track right. B Circle right 20m - 7 - steady tempo could be steadier in connection
3. KXM Change rein working trot - 6 - same but res. @ M
4. Btwn C & H working canter left lead - 6 - tight in neck @ depart
5. E Circle left 20m - 7 - could have more bal. from behind
6. Btwn E & K working trot - 7 - same
7. A Medium walk - 6 - hes. @ A, needs bigger steps
8. FXM Free walk - 6 - needs to stretch down more
9. M-C Medium walk - 7 - active
10. C working trot - 6 - losing stretch thru neck
11. E Circle left 20m - 7 - needs more stretch to outside rein, but steady
12. FXH Change rein working trot - 7 - str8 & steady
13. Btwn C & M Working Canter right lead - 6 - hes. depart
14. B Circle right 20m - 7 - could use more bal. from behind & jump
15. Btwn B & F Working trot - 7 - better bal.
16. A Down centerline, X Halt Salute - 8 - bal. & str8

Comments & Collective
Gaits - 7
Impulsion - 6 - needs more elasticity of the steps & engagement of hindquarters.
Submission - 7 -
Rider - 7 -

Obedient test, just needs hind legs to step more under in trans & for more jump in canter. The working trot on the diagonal should be your working trot throughout the test. Very nice horse!

Hope this helps. :)

[bossmare18]

You have made me laugh out loud. With the judges comment "Your horse must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed today! (Score: 48.64%)". I think I have deserved this a couple of times, but no judge had ever said it. hehe

[STF]

My last show with the BBM, the judge said "Elegant mare, tons of potential but needs to stop seeing imaiginary ghosts everywhere"

LMAO

[Jealoushe]

"Diplomatically ridden"

:cool:

[Flying Hill]

My favorite humorous comment was (about my 19-y-o mare who decided to call for her trailer buddy throughout the test), "Will be nice when she grows up!" :)

I like useful comments like, "For better scores do xyz." I had a tense test one time and the judge wrote to count 1-2 for better rhythm, which turned out to be helpful advice. I have ridden a lot of really green horses in their first dressage tests, and when you have a really tense, bad test it is nice when the judge recognizes any positive glimmers of potential (like "tactfully ridden", "nice moments", "shows correct xyz at times", "scores will improve as horse relaxes", "2nd half of circle better", etc.) instead of only highlighting the mistakes. I rode one TB in his first dressage test and on the first canter transition he spotted the opening at A, picked up the wrong lead and tried to bolt out. I hauled on him to keep him in the ring, at which point he planted his feet and then exploded into the air, spun and landed facing the other way. I got him facing the right way, walked a few steps to catch my breath and finally picked up the correct lead. The judges comment, "Some distractions. :) " I thought that was great!

One judge I scribed for commented "More bend through neck than body" on almost every movement of many of the rides (I wished that I had a rubber stamp!). More useful, I think, would have been to mention it the first time she saw it, then at the bottom of the test, to write, "For better scores, ..."

[Tomw]

I've had 3 comments that really put a smile on my face.

1) I took an ex hurdler out a week after i got him cos i had a space on the back of the box, just so he could see an indoor school and learn its not all going fast! he was great except he found markers all had tigers hiding behind them! He did quite a good test considering just did it in a 10 by 20 arena!! cos we couldnt get near the markers! I found this hillarious and laughed the whole way through! The judge wrote "how lovely to see someone actually enjoying a test for once" i thought it was a really nice coment to make when a horse wasnt behaving in a way posible to say much constructive, and as a judge i always try to coment on anyone who looks like there enjoying riding, as so many people ride round looking like they'd far rather be anywhere but in front of you!

2) Had my very good eventer out on a day he was a bit over the top! ie. free gallop on a rapidly shortning rein!! and a simple change with 3 flying changes but no simple change till nearly the next movment!! we got a terible mark but at the end she wrote " bet he's amazing x-country" having read a very depressing test sheet it really cheared me up!

3) Had a wonderfully talented lad got for meat money as he had problems in his head, sweat as pie but suffered major panic attacks and one test we got a 10 for a canter movement but when he got to A where the next movement begun he stopped dead and stood vertical she gave me a 1 for it! but wrote "i would have given you a 10 if i was judging the quality of the rear"

[sam1979]

Flying Hill- I got the same comment with 19 yr old gelding. :D Guess my guy and your girl were still knockouts. Kinda like telling an "older" supermodel she still looks 18!!

[STF]

Yrs ago I was riding a jackass of a horse who liked to stand on his hind end when upset. He would rear and spin if he did not want to go forward and if he got spooked. Well it was windy and the judges box had a tarp around it popping and I was bound and determined that he was not going to run, spin and bolt away, so I made him do the test, on two feet or not....
It was a schooling show, but an "L" judge wrote "Your a brave soul!"
LMAO
(No I was mad!) LOL

[J-Lu]

Hahaha! I have to agree with some previous posters. I hate "lovely pair", and I hate when judges say this to beginning riders with bad rides. I've heard so many people say "I got a 50% but the judge said we're a lovely pair!!!!!!!"

That said, I just looked at a bunch of tests and got the following comments:

I've gotten "lovely pair.", "LOVELY PAIR! (Underlined)", "Capable pair", "Talented Pair", "Nicely turned out pair", "nicely presented pair".....etc. I got a "tactfully ridden" and "cute horse" and "cute mare".

The comments that made me happiest were comments on my riding, such as "nicely sitting rider" or "nice, deep seat with sympathetic hands" or comments telling me what I'm doing well, such as "lovely changes" or "nicely forward for this level". It's nice to hear you're doing something right!

The useful comments were ones that gave me useful info about the ride...especially something that I can fix immediately, such as "good engagement but quick in the canter" or "needs to be a notch more round" or "needs more forward" or "too conservative in medium/extended gaits". I also enjoyed comments such as "horse is active but not very engaged" or "softening the neck will increase your scores". All of these comments are something tangible I can work with for both the next test and in my training in general.

What I really hate getting are the generic comments, such as "lovely pair" and the obvious, such as "major communication problem" when my horse blew up. yeah, I know! What about the rest of the test? But what I hate THE MOST is getting NO comments at all! :)

[Dressage Art]

One of my instructors from "L" really disliked "do this for higher scores" kind of comments and scolded us for writing them.
For "L" participants ALL boxes should be filled with comments. All of them, including collective marks = nightmare for scribes!

[GallantGesture]

When I almost got tossed off my ottb attempting to approach the judge's booth before the test, then entered the ring bucking sideways because it was the only way I could get him in at all.... comment was "Athletic Horse" It made me laugh atleast.

Later that day, same horse, but a little more settled by then (or just exhausted from morning performance), slightly better test. "Nicely turned out pair. Tactfully ridden tense horse. With miles should help relaxation which will improve test overall."

I didn't mind these generous comments as the tests I rode didn't give them much constructive to comment on. The horse was more than capable of doing the tests well at home, and just lost it at the show. I was just appreciative that the judges let me muddle through the tests so atleast he got the experience in the ring, and hopefully this year goes better!

Same tests (Intro A and B) ridden at a schooling show at home barn, he got 66 and 65.5 instead of 47 and 50. Comments "Horse is lovely, well turned out rider. Fluid, submissive, very willing attitude. Rider shows horse to good advantive allowing horse to show best traits. Consistancy and better use of arena needed." and "Lovely pair. Lovely pair! Happy Exp. Willing and submissive. Shown to best advantage. Well turned out pair. Needs to develop consistency in transition and gaits." These were constructive and helpful, and I didn't mind the extra "lovely" comments thrown in, but it would have been more meaningful if she wrote what in particular she liked, instead of a general comment she probably put on every test.

[ToN Farm]

I think many judges have their pet phrases and remarks.

I also think (and I could be 100% wrong here) that the comments given to tests at the lower level are more likely to get the 'nice pair' and more encourging remarks than those given out to people riding more advanced tests.

I'd like to think that my horse and I are a nice pair with a nice turnout, but I haven't gotten that remark since doing Training Level a long time ago. I looked though my most recent tests yesterday, and just about all of my comments start with "NEEDS". In my case, it is more engagement and self carriage.

As for a more unique remark that one of my friends got "A pleasure to watch!".

[Carnelian]

My trainer got this comment on one movement at 2nd level: Monochromatic.

She was riding a dark bay with no chrome on it! She did ask the judge later what it meant. I can't remember his exact translation. She basically needed more brilliance in the movement (impulsion, etc.) Just say it and not try to be creative with your thesaurus!

I got overzealous with my spur in a canter depart and the mare bucked. Comment: needs to be more diplomatic with spur. That was an understatement, but I appreciated her tact in acknowledging the buck was completely caused by my (lack of) riding.

[foreward!]

the second test (intro B) that I rode my OTTB in. He was a nut case. Didnt want to be forward. We had an awesome display of bucks :eek: across the diagonal. Most places said "tight, resistant, inattentive...." the whole test was basically aweful. But in my collective marks I got "tactfully ridden" and in futher remarks "Keep explaining him to that he MUST go foreward" He was so bad that when I exited the ring, people parted like the Red Sea!! With comments like "how did you ride that?" (it must have looked spectacular, lol) "is he always like that" (ummm, no cause if he was he wouldnt be at a show)

I've also gotten "very well muscled hindquarters, good job with your cross training"

"nice consistant test with moments of Brilliance!"

"nice use of half halts"

"Feeling Frisky today" :lol:

"use corners to supple and bend and renew relaxation"

"Dont compromise what you know is right"

"You do so much REALLY WELL, training requires a lot more than walk, trot. You are clearly on a good track to fexion, bend, relaxation and ready to move on to improving connection---then your canter departs will become more reliable."

This last comment was from one of our toughest local judges. That was my final show that season..... and final show with a horse that I will never forget. Due to a serious pasture injury, he never was able to return to competition training and retired as a trail horse. :sadsmile: He was also the same horse who got me all the other goofy, good and not so good comments.