Demo Rider for an L Session.... Beneficial?

[Petstorejunkie]

I'm in all honesty kinda new to competition and am browsing my local DCTA website and saw something for USDF "L" Session C I'm assuming it's a training class for judges? They are looking for demo riders. What would a demo rider get out of this? I'm hoping it means you are the rider example and you get picked apart by like 30 people.... that would rock, personally! I'm planning on emailing to find out for sure before i volunteer, but was curious if anyone A. know for sure what it is and B. has done it and wants to give opinion?
Thanks!

[Beasmom]

I rode for an "L" training session once. It was run like a mock dressage show. It gives the learner judges a chance to score a test and get feedback from the instructors.

It gives the volunteer riders a chance to ride tests without the "stress" of an actual competition. As I recall, we were expected to dress as for a show (coat, light breeches, etc.).

If you want specifics, call the organizer.

[eggbutt]

In North Carolina our demo riders dressed like a schooling show and were selected based on the level of their horse/rider abilities along with a variety of horses (breeds & experience). Nothing over 2nd level due to the L program limits. Riders were asked to ride portions of tests/movements and then were critiqued. This can sometimes sound brutal, so don't be thin-skinned if you do decide to ride as a demo rider, particularly if you are on a greener horse or other than one bred for dressage, ie warmblood. The instructor will ask the class participants to comment (sometimes quickly) with a numerical score and/or comment. Then the instructor will discuss the comments(s) and scores and help the participants tune their eyes and comments. This is really the only way a participant can really learn how to evaluate say, an Arabian or ASB or QH, against what they may be used to seeing. They must learn to eliminate any and all breed prejudices and score according to movement and the best gait the horse shows, as well as learn not to coach or give inappropriate comments. It's pretty tough on the L participants but they can't do it without demo riders! Go for it and have fun!!!!:yes::yes::yes:

[Fandango7]

I was asked to do one once. It was okay. I did like hearing all the different candidates opinions, however, it made me realize that not everyone who wants to be a judge knows how to ride. ;)

[shawneeAcres]

I did this in NC for "L" judges was riding at first level. I really enjoyed it and learned quite a bit from it. Rode one of my App/TB mares and NOONE could believe she was app, they ALL thought she was WB :)

[bossmare18]

I rode in one session at first level. I thought it was fun and beneficial. The comments were not mean and the instructor was very, very good.

I would do it again.

We all rode at the same time (3-4of us) and were asked to do the same movements. Example - we all rode a centerline and the judges said what they would have given the centerline for all the riders, then we did a trot lengthening, etc.

[HFSH]

I've been auditing my GMO's "L" program. We just completed the "B" session.

It's very important for the riders to not over-state the level they and their horses are working at. If the riders claim to be at a certain level and then cannot really perform at that level, it really hurts the "L" candidates because they need to see people who are truly working at Training to Second.

I think it's very generous of people to bring their horses and be willing to have 60-70 people watching them ride! If you are interested in it I strongly recommend it! You'll learn a LOT and you will be contributing to the education of future judges!

[Petstorejunkie]

I think it's very generous of people to bring their horses and be willing to have 60-70 people watching them ride! If you are interested in it I strongly recommend it! You'll learn a LOT and you will be contributing to the education of future judges!
That's what i was hoping for. i really could give a rats about competition, but am more interested in scores and feedback... it seems like a cost effective way to get a ton of eyeballed opinions.

[Hidden Pond Farm]

For all of you out there who HAVE demonstrated for the L Ed. program, I want to say a very BIG THANKS! HFSH is right on, mentioning that it's tough enough to enter at A in front of one judge, but imagine doing it in front of 14 "judges" plus an audience of auditors over 50 people. That's more people than you see in the stands of even a bigger USDF show! YOu guys put yourselves out there so others can learn, and it is really so very helpful...both the great performances as well as those unexpected moments that pop up sometimes are great discussion tools for these aspiring judges.

For those of you thinking about helping, I want to point out it's a great way to give back to the sport. It's also good to hear feedback about your test performance, giving you a nice tune-up for the up-and-coming show season. It's not a clinic format, so you shouldn't expect formal instruction as a rider. And you are really only in front of the audience for about 20 or 30 minutes between the warmup, test performance, and subsequent discussion. For this last part you are walking around listening, mostly. Perhaps the instructor will ask you to repeat a movement or two.

Our C session is coming up here in Wisconsin on May 23 & 24. I plan on bringing my horse for a first level evaluation. If any COTH BBer's make it as riders or auditors, please introduce yourselves!

Pam Doolittle

[Dune]

I've done it before, it's fine, especially if you don't mind being picked apart by a bunch of folks who may or may not know what they're talking about. :winkgrin: Go for it!

[Dressage Art]

For all of you out there who HAVE demonstrated for the L Ed. program, I want to say a very BIG THANKS!


Ditto! It takes a small vilage of volunteers to do a USDF "L" program. Thank you to all who takes their time to volunteer! I hope you'll hear useful comments.

[Foxhound]

I was a demo rider for 2 of the PVDA L program sessions last spring. The first one was run by Janet Foy, and I can highly recommend her. She was very positive, encouraging, and had me do some exercises to get my horse a little lighter in front. It was like a mini-clinic and I would do it again in a minute.
The second session was less fun. The weather was colder and I had to go early in the morning, so my horse was a bit tight, and we were both tired from doing a real show the day before. The worst part was that the instructor was a rather crabby, less-positive lady. She had me to do some exercises, but I didn't feel like she explained them well enough for me to do them in a way that benefitted my horse and I. Fortunately, I have my horse with a really good trainer, so I was able to just shrug off the less-positive experience and move forward with our program.

I would be a demo rider again in a minute, for Janet Foy or any other judge like her.

[CapitolDesign]

I was about to write something very similar to this. If you have thick skin and know you will be critiqued in front of many people, this is a GREAT learning experience... especially if you show and want more feedback.

Janet Foy was great and made me feel comfortable throughout the weekend (I rode 2 horses).

Unfortunately, the other demo I did on the same horse was not as worthwhile to me (in my opinion). I felt bad when I finished my ride and many comments seemed to conflict with what I had been hearing from many other judges and Janet Foy, so I left confused.

However, I would recommend EVERYONE either demo or audit this... it is a great program.


I was a demo rider for 2 of the PVDA L program sessions last spring. The first one was run by Janet Foy, and I can highly recommend her. She was very positive, encouraging, and had me do some exercises to get my horse a little lighter in front. It was like a mini-clinic and I would do it again in a minute.
The second session was less fun. The weather was colder and I had to go early in the morning, so my horse was a bit tight, and we were both tired from doing a real show the day before. The worst part was that the instructor was a rather crabby, less-positive lady. She had me to do some exercises, but I didn't feel like she explained them well enough for me to do them in a way that benefitted my horse and I. Fortunately, I have my horse with a really good trainer, so I was able to just shrug off the less-positive experience and move forward with our program.

I would be a demo rider again in a minute, for Janet Foy or any other judge like her.