Nicky Vogel tips?

[I <3 My Hanoverian]

A friend of mine is riding in a show soon and almost all of her Training level tests are being judged by Nicky Vogel. She really wants to qualify for championships at this show. Does anyone know anything about this judge - does she prefer a steadier horse versus a flashier horse? Is she generally a high scorer or a low scorer?

Thank you so much - I'm sure my friend will appreciate any help you can give her!

[J-Lu]

I did some clinics with her. She's great and is a hoot to ride with. Tip: ride correctly! (I've never been judged by her but I very much enjoyed riding with her and found her comments pretty right on).

[oldenmare]

I know Nicky well and love her - have scribed for her and ridden under her as a judge. I also use her as a judge in my schooling shows - and this is why:

She is BIG into the basics - know your ABCs of dressage - at Training Level - know the requirements - horse accepting of bit, active, forward but not hurried, ride horse uphill, ride test accurately, etc.

She will pick up on the little things that can hamper a ride such as failure to be straight/wavering on center line, circles not correct size/placement, horse falling in on circles, etc.

She's tough but fair. Doesn't discriminate by breed or creed. If you get a good score, you've earned it. If you get a bad score - you earned it.

Just like the other good judges out there.

[Jennifer Alcott]

A few years back, I took some lessons from Nicky--I, too, think she's great!

Ditto on the previous comments...at Training Level, it's all about the basics and "correctness".

Make sure that your geometry is good. No egg-shaped circles, make sure that your circles are the right size, make sure your serpentines are correct and consistent.

Be accurate in terms of the location of your transitions.

Don't try to fake it--in other words, she's not going to be fooled by a "pretty headset". As someone who spent/spends time at Arabian breed shows, I can SOOOOO fake it; but she'll nail you every time! I can remember her saying to me in a lesson, "STOP FIXING HIS NECK, YOU BLOODY NECK-FIXER!" Busted!!!! :D

She is not into "gimmicky" training methods.

Use your corners properly.

She will not reward "flashiness", fancy movement, etc., over correct work; and her scoring is not affected by breed, color, or size.

She recognizes that a good horse is a good horse--whether it's a correctly trained and ridden QH or Arabian with a good temperment, or a $100,000 warmblood that has the potential to do FEI level work.

Be neat, tidy, clean, and conservative in your tack, turnout, and attire. (Although I did LOVE to horrify her with my sparkly gold bell boots, gold lame rubber bands for braiding, and anything in leopard print...but that was for schooling, not showing!)

If you get a score that is in the low to mid 60's from her, you did well. If you get a score between 65 and 69--you did fabulous, and you should celebrate! She is not a tough scorer; she is fair, accurate, and judges & scores according to the standard.

Nicky has a fabulous sense of humor--very dry! As a total newbie to dressage, I was incredibly ignorant (I always had to look around for whatever letter she was telling me to do something at), and it was a whole new way of riding for me. Nicky was SO patient with me, and helped me be more patient with myself. We laughed a lot during my lessons, and I truly enjoyed every minute, even though I spent a lot of time at first being very frustrated with myself. She was very encouraging to me, and helped me a great deal!

And above all else, she is a true HORSEWOMAN, and a very hard worker. I have a HUGE amount of respect for her.

[slc2]

Dressage judges don't 'hate horses for their lack of flashiness', they score you down if you ain't goin' forward. It's pretty simple.

[Horse Lover]

As so well put by previous posters, don't concentrate on seeing how you can impress the judge -- ride correctly and demonstrate sound training basics with this horse. IMO, it should not matter who the judge is -- no substitute for clear demonstration of correct training. Nicky is very knowledgeable, correct and fair, and if you achieve a good score, then you can be assured you've earned it. And if it's at the PVDA R4L, there will be some very good and solid competition in your T-level classes! :)