First Time Scriber! Heeeelllllppp!

[WB Mom]

I did a search, but didn't feel like going through lots of pages of threads....
I am going to scribe for the very first time tomorrow. I have never done this before, nor have I had the opportunity to sit with a judge and scribe to observe. It is a rated Dressage show (yikes!).
Please, please I need pointers and definitely help on the do's and don'ts.
Thanks so much!!!

[Big Spender]

No need to panic. Just be sure to ask the judge whether they comment or give a score first. They all have their own way of doing things. You can always abbreviate some words too. As an experienced scorer, it is your responsibility to double check the test before you give it to the runner for scoring. All boxes must have numbers, the horse's competition number should be written inside the test, not just on the outside label, and the judge has to initial any score changes, and sign the test. You will have fun. Enjoy!

[nadasy]

No Worries! Just take a deep breath and have fun. Your judge will most likely ask if you have done this before, and when you say no, they will give you pointers like the best abbreviations for what they are saying. I've scribed for years, and use some of the short hand abbreviations but more than likely I just write what the judge says. It's Very Important to go over the tests you will be scribing for. Just so you kind of get the flow of things. ASK QUESTIONS if you don't know-just do it before they start the show.

If you are scribing for the Intro through Training 4, go over all of those, ditto for the ones your judge will have you scribing for. Chances are the show management will put you with a judge that will be using the lower level tests, which are shorter, and easier for you to start with.

It's important to stay focused and not write so big at the beginning of the box that you run out of room. :lol: One of my 'first time' nightmares. You will use a red pen for errors, and a blue/black for the comments. Judges, by and large, I've found to be very accommodating, and know that helping- you will ultimately help them. They are not about to upset you or they won't have a scribe. Imagine that.

Be sure to get there early, meet the judge and be ready to work. Just in case make sure you have windbreaker, rain gear if it looks threatening, and something soft to sit on in the chair they give you. Sometimes the chairs get pretty hard after all that sitting. Make sure you have comfortable clothes on while still looking tidy and clean. Take extra water. Have FUN!! and then let us know how it went.:)

[Hazelnut]

Let the judge know its your first time.

Ask if they give the score or the comment for the movement first.

If they give comments first and you are still writing when they give the score - write the score in the box and then finish the comment. The score is a must.

Don't drink a lot of coffee.;)

Keep one finger on the box to be scored and move it down when you've written the score.

Sometimes they forget a score, If the movement goes by and no score is forthcoming you can just say...halt? They zone out, too:eek:

Don't expect to look up a lot. I glance up to see where the horse is in the test, but just keep on writing. Hopefully it will be an understanding judge.

Good luck!

[WB Mom]

You guys are awesome! I'm feeling better already. Does the judge actually write the comments at the bottom of the page? In the few classes I've been in, it appears to be different handwriting. Do they normally look over the sheet prior to letting it go?
I have no idea what tests I will be scribing for, but I looked at the day sheets and one judge is doing training and the other is doing 2nd and 3rd. I hope they put me with the training judge since that is my level right now.
I will be sure to do a self check on each box to be sure it is filled in, and will certainly appreciate a peer check by the judge.
I do have a slight advantage in that where I work it is HEAVILY regulated by the government. I hate to say it, but the USDF and all their rules are simple compared to what I do every day.
That just may be my saving grace!

[eyesontheground]

Yes, you will write all the comments and scores on movements then you will hand the judge the test and they will fill in the collective marks and overall comments.

I have had lots of fun scribing. Get ready to learn tons about what different judges look for. It was a very eye opening experience for me!

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses if you normally wear them, water, an extra pen or two. Normally, the show management will provide the pens but bring some back ups just in case. Have fun!!

[Quest52]

The judge will write the end comments at the bottom, and will most likely take a quick look over the test as well.
Some helpful short hand:
for "circle" draw a circle (aka: Circle not round)
for "Forward" write "fwd" or "4ward"
for "square" draw a square
up, down high low... do arrows



stuff like that... it becomes helpful. The lower levels aren't too crazy. Just try to make sure they don't miss on and get too far past the movement. Just hope you don't get a freestyle, those are my favorite, but you really have to know what you're doing!!!
Good luck and happy learning!

[Mallard]

If you have a chance...go out & buy a couple of 'extra fine' pens. In blue or black.
Show should provide a red one and hopefully you will not need it.
I find most pens are not 'fine' enough and I take an old fashioned pencil case with my own pens.
Print small but legible. Nothing worse than getting your test and not being able to read the comments. Use abbreviations.

Smile at the riders when they are making their warm-up pass by the booth.
And double check their number at the same time.

Confirm with the judge which test is going to be ridden.
Tell the judge when the tests change to a different one.
Some judges know the tests - especially the lower levels - off by heart.
Some use a diagram format to follow along.
Some just use the Omnibus.

If he forgets a score I usually try & remind him at the next movement...just say something quick & quiet .."mark for free walk"...
Do not say anything to him when the rider is near 'C' as the riders may hear you.

Yes..the judge will take the test as soon as he has saluted the rider. He fills in the collective marks and adds his comments and signs it.
The runner will come & get them from you in between rides.

If show management knows this is your first time then they should put you at the ring with the lower level tests.
Maybe you should read the higher level tests tonight just in case. It's always a good idea to be somewhat familiar with the tests.

Have fun!!

[J-Lu]

Yay! You will love it.

I have scribed a bunch of times and had fun every time. In my opinion, the most important things to do in the morning are a) bring layers to dress for weather b) show up at least 10 minutes early so the management doesn't stress c) bring something to drink and something to munch on.

The judge will give you instruction before your first test. Tell her you haven't scribed before. She'll tell you what to look for when the rider enters the ring (usually - you verify that the rider and the number on the test match), when they like to give the score (at the end of the movement? At the beginning of the next movement?), and how to write comments. They're usually excellent at teaching you how to scribe because they know it's a volunteer job.

The show usually gives you treats and drinks, but I like to bring my own just in case.

My suggestions are: I agree with Mallard - smile at the riders when they come around the ring before the test - it makes everyone feel good! I usually smile and say "number 57 (or whatever)? Thank you!" Do NOT to worry about abbreviating in the comments box. Personally, it takes me longer to think up a good way to make abbreviations than to write it all out. Yes, my hand cramps after a few hours, but this is easier for me. :) Do not be afraid to tell the judge that she forgot to give you a score - sometimes they forget. Keep your finger on the movement on your test sheet so you can look up and actually watch some of the rides without losing your place. It's a great educaton! If the test runners forget to bring drinks/snacks to judges, I usually ask the judge if I can get them anything during a break. Many can be thirsty but don't want to bother asking for anything. Lastly, I don't initiate chat with the judges but I certainly chat back when they chat to me. I usually have a very fun time. Have fun!

[flamenco horse]

Although not necessary, here's a link to a few of the most commonly used abbreviations. I've certainly never memorized them all, but there are a few which make sense and are easy to remember. :)

For me, I found it's better not to write too small or I get writer's cramp fairly quickly. Relax, ask for assistance when needed, and have fun!

http://www.dressage.net.au/scribingsymbols.pdf

[Vesper Sparrow]

Don't worry. It's not rocket science (at least from my experience scribing for the lower levels) and you'll catch on quickly and learn a lot. The first time I scribed, one thing I wasn't told beforehand and wish I had: check the riders' numbers. We had a late-minute scratch and were not informed.

Bring water or something else to drink (I personally would be afraid of spilling coffee on the test sheets), a hat and sunscreen and dress appropriately (no jeans or riding clothes).

[redpony]

Experiment around with different pens, make sure to take your own. When you're writing for 8 hours it makes a big difference. I can't use the Bic pens that are normally in the scribe box, the tips are too thick. You need 3 or 4 black pens and 1 or 2 red ones.
Also, if you have a radio, make sure to ask if you're not sure how to use it. They're very helpful for communicating with the ring steward. (The steward can tell you if there are any scratches, who's coming in the ring, if a rider wants to go at their time if your ring get ahead of schedule)
Usually you can ask the runner to bring the judge coffee, water, snacks and don't be shy, you can ask for things to. At least at shows I've staffed that's the norm.
It's a show requirement that you be there 45 minutes before the ring opens. That gives you time to collect your tests, scribe box, order of go sheets. radio, grab a coffee and get organized. Another important piece of advise, don't chat about any riders, horses, trainer you know that come in your ring! If your judge changes rings, be sure to ask the secretary if you stay with that judge and if you should take the upcoming tests with you. Be careful not to shuffle papers around when a rider is coming by the judge"s stand, or if it's windy, have some paperweights (rocks) handy. Most of all, have fun, it's a great way to learn what the judges are looking for.

[Dressage Art]

A long, long time ago I made a website "dressage scribing 101" to help new dressage scribes. I didn't update it in forever, but there is still some useful information there:

http://www.geocities.com/scribing101/

[Janet]

The USDF has a guide for scribes
http://www.usdf.org/docs/competitions/handbook/AppendixE-Scribe.pdf

[WB Mom]

I survived! WHOO HOOO! The show mgmt put me with a wonderful judge for intro/training level. Cara Whitman (Manotick, Ontario) who obviously from her accent was originally from Europe. She was so understanding and was also working with a learner judge during some of the rides so I got to hear the exchange between the two. She was so very nice! I didn't have any trouble with the comments or the scores. If I had a question, which I didn't have but a couple, she was more than willing to help.
All in all a wonderful learning experience. I didn't get to watch a lot of the rides, but it certainly gave me a great perspective on what a judge was looking for in Training level.
I am so happy I did it. There is no better learning experience, at least IMHO.
I hope I get to scribe next year at the Missouri Dressage Classic!
Thanks so much for everyone's input. You really calmed my nerves and put me in a much better state of mind about the whole thing.

[Hazelnut]

:DYAY! Great job! I have only scribed at schooling shows. Maybe next year I will try recognized.

[Dressage Art]

Scribing is fun! Today I scribed for Linda Zang, an "O" judge and it was great! She has a wealth of information!