In all my years I've never seen this! What do you think?

[eggbutt]

At a USEF/USDF show this past weekend I saw something I've never seen before....tell me what you think:

Rider A rides their test and leaves the ring.
Rider B rides their test and leaves the ring.
Rider C (with test caller) enters the ring area and after a minute are told by the judge to leave the area because she is calling Rider A back in to ride several movements -- "it won't take too long".

So, Rider C leaves (with caller), Rider A goes into the arena and rides 4 movements. Judge is overheard to say, "thanks. I wasn't sure if I saw you ride those movements."

My initial thoughts were completely dumbfounded. I have seen a judge ask a rider to redo a movement if the rider has not left the ring, but I've never seen a judge call someone back into the arena after another ride has gone!

While auditing/scribing for the L program, it was stated, if you miss a movement, err on the side of the competitor and give a 6 for the movement.

When this situation was discussed with the TD, she graciously said she'd investigate what had occured but the Judge had sole descretion in the ring. When the TD was told another ride had taken place between the original ride and the partial redo, she said she'd get back to us. There really wasn't a complaint other than "what the heck is going on?!"

The explanation was the scribe had missed 4 movements so the judge called the rider back into the ring to repeat the movements rather than give the competitor the benefit of the doubt and award a 6 for each missed movement.

What wasn't understood is why the judge/scribe didn't notice the missing marks before the rider left the arena? It was unusual to say the least.

[3horsemom]

was this a schooling show?
i have been scribing for a number of years and have never seen nor heard of anything like that.

[see u at x]

At a USEF/USDF show this past weekend I saw something I've never seen before....

It wasn't a schooling show.

I've never seen or heard of anything like this either and I agree...it DOES seem really bizarre.

[caddym]

thats MESSED up and....really unfair to rider C

[FriesianX]

No, NEVER seen such a thing happen! EVEN in schooling shows;) The rules actually say, if the Jury (judge) has not noted an error, then the competitor gets the benefit of the doubt - DR122. I would interpret that (and the L Faculty also discuss it) as a missed movement = judge gives a score. Some faculty say a score of 6, some say a 7. I think it is appropriate to look at what score occurred before and after the missed movement, and score accordingly.

The closest I have EVER seen to this is with a now-retired judge who snoozed off during a few rides. She would wake up, and ring the riders off course and make them start back a few movements, ugh! But I think it is worse to have someone come BACK into the ring after they are done - what if they had already untacked?

[monstrpony]

Well, there was some creative officiating at that show. Nothing off the rules, but some things that had to be looked up on short notice and such--training level rider gets soundly bucked off, horse goes on a major gallop but, amazingly, does not leave the dressage arena; is rider allowed to get on and "contine" the ride? They gave her the benefit of the doubt as no one was sure. That brave girl got right back on, put that horse to *work* and did a stupendous job with it. Judge commented that even she learned something new this weekend! (yes, it did conform to the rules).

Lucky thing the rider in the OP hadn't dismounted, removed her hat and coat and such. And how unfair to the horse?

Don't get me wrong, I adore the people who work this show and appreciate no end the great job they do. It's always a fun, relatively low-pressure show at a nice facility. But it always seems there's something wierd that happens. Maybe that's the case with all relatively large shows?

[eurofoal]

Rated show, respected judge. I was doing my test and suddenly the judge flagged me over. She asked if I had done such and such movements (including a trot across the diagonal). Yes, I replied, " I just did them". She said she didn't see them and asked me to do 3 movements over, which I did. I was not happy and felt I did better the first time.
Weird, huh?

[eggbutt]

Rated show, respected judge. I was doing my test and suddenly the judge flagged me over. She asked if I had done such and such movements (including a trot across the diagonal). Yes, I replied, " I just did them". She said she didn't see them and asked me to do 3 movements over, which I did. I was not happy and felt I did better the first time.
Weird, huh?


No, this to me is NOT unusual......you were still in the ring, right? This rider had LEFT the ring, another ride had gone and the original rider was called back in.

And Monstrpony, the horse has to leave the arena before the rider is eliminated. That particularly situation should have been counted as an error and nothing more since the horse couldn't figure out how to jump the little dressage rail! :lol::lol: This situation seems to happen at Southern Pines on the polo fields frequently. The riders scramble to get up and hold on to their horse and not let them leave the ring so they can finish the ride!:eek:

[quietann]

That is just weird.

In a show recently, I detected an error in my test before the judge did. Training 2 has a "V" free walk with no change of rein; I was on my way to a change of rein when I realized that I'd be trotting a circle to the right for the second time if I kept going. So I turned around to head back to do it right, and the judge shouted out, "Hey, where are you going?" and I replied, "This free walk isn't a change of rein!" and after a moment (probably to look at the test sheet) she said, "OK, you're right." I still got 2 points taken off, of course, but sort of feel like there should be less of a penalty if the rider catches something before the judge.

[mjhco]

Young Horse tests maybe?

[Foxhound]

. . . . and this is why we have the USEF Judge's Evaluation Form:
http://www.usef.org/documents/competitions/LicOffEvaluation.pdf

[monstrpony]

And Monstrpony, the horse has to leave the arena before the rider is eliminated. That particularly situation should have been counted as an error and nothing more since the horse couldn't figure out how to jump the little dressage rail! :lol::lol: This situation seems to happen at Southern Pines on the polo fields frequently. The riders scramble to get up and hold on to their horse and not let them leave the ring so they can finish the ride!:eek:

Yeah, this one was wierd because the horse was actually loose from the rider and made three or four vigorous, bucking laps of the ring. All of those watching near the judge had to think to convince ourselves that she never left the ring, but she did not--she seemed to think about it, but it was pretty clear Why She Was A Dressage Horse (and the end of the ring at A was open the whole time, but it's not a very inviting spot in that particular arena). The TD said the judge could do whatever she wanted in terms of points for errors or whatever (she counted it as one error).

[Ambrey]

So what are you supposed to do if your horse bucks you off during a test?

Just asking, of course ;)

All of these stories are slightly terrifying. Including yours, Quietann... uggghhhh, I'd get lost!

[eggbutt]

So what are you supposed to do if your horse bucks you off during a test?

Just asking, of course ;)

All of these stories are slightly terrifying. Including yours, Quietann... uggghhhh, I'd get lost!

Grab your horse quickly before it leaves the ring. The rules state the horse must leave the ring to be eliminated. If you are able to get your horse and get back on while still within the confines of the dressage arena without assistance, you are allowed to continue your test at the movement you came off and are usually given an error.

[flyracing]

A fall of rider is in the rule book, so I am suprised no one knew how the rider was to be penalized. A rider may continue, they penalized in the offending movement and in the collective marks. Try to remember to hold onto your horses reins when you fall :)


At devonwood (a larger sized show in OR)a rider fell off during a bolt in the freestyle. The horse went back the barns but was caught. She finished her ride and won the the large class (15-20 rides) :eek:. It was other than the bolt a perfect ride! I think this was a year or two ago. I think the judges decided the spook was caused by something unusual and something none of the other riders had to condend with.

From USEF Dressage rulebook: (page 28)
f. In the case of a fall of horse and/or rider the competitor will not be eliminated. He will
be penalized by the effect of the fall on the execution of the movement being performed
and also in the Collective Marks.

[TheHorseProblem]

Grab your horse quickly before it leaves the ring. The rules state the horse must leave the ring to be eliminated. If you are able to get your horse and get back on while still within the confines of the dressage arena without assistance, you are allowed to continue your test at the movement you came off and are usually given an error.

I guess I'd better practice ground mounting.:winkgrin:

[Ambrey]

I guess I'd better practice ground mounting.:winkgrin:

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. Or just hope my horse runs for the barn!

[eggbutt]

Whew...I'm glad Flyracing edited her post.....it is elimination if the horse leaves the arena, so the case she mentioned of an MFS that was allowed to finish the test after the horse went back to the barn is a gross rule violation. Where was that????

From USEF.org - Dressage rules:

f. In the case of a fall of horse and/or rider the competitor will not be eliminated. He will be penalized by the effect of the fall on the execution of the movement being performed and also in the Collective Marks.
g. If the horse leaves the arena with or without the rider (all four feet outside the fence or line marking the arena perimeter) between the time of entry and the time of exit at A, the competitor is eliminated.

[Fixerupper]

Interesting that...in Canada a fall by horse or rider means automatic elimination.

[cyndi]

Ok, what would happen in this scenario...years ago I was at our Championships and overhead some frantic hushed whispering...seems a CHAMPIONSHIP test had somehow gotten LOST between the judge's box and the scorers...now I don't know if they eventually FOUND the missing test, since I was not working that particular area, and never heard the outcome.

But what WOULD happen in that case? Would the rider have to re-ride the test??? Is there even a rule addressing this scenario?

[Carol O]

Who was the judge?

[eggbutt]

At devonwood (a larger sized show in OR)a rider fell off during a bolt in the freestyle. The horse went back the barns but was caught. She finished her ride and won the the large class (15-20 rides) :eek:. It was other than the bolt a perfect ride! I think this was a year or two ago. I think the judges decided the spook was caused by something unusual and something none of the other riders had to condend with.



Had I been in that class and this rider was allowed to continue competing (under USEF/USDF rules) I would have gladly spent the $125 to file a formal complaint!:yes::yes:

"something unusual" can happen during any ride at any place and the rider must deal with it, from kids slamming folding chairs into their mother's head in the stands, to super thunder, to sirens, football games, rock concerts and firework displays.

[Spectrum]

Just a comment on the suggestion that people should try to hold onto the reins when they fall.

There are a couple really good reasons why you should *not* do that.

1. If your horse (like most) tries to run away after you fall off, this is a perfect way to end up with broken fingers or cracked bones in your knuckles as the horse attempts to break away from you. Take it from me, I've done it *twice* with different horses. You can also get your shoulder dislocated if you get jerked the wrong way. It's really just a good way to injure yourself.

2. If you pull the reins off with you when you fall, you are setting your horse up in a perfect position to get a leg through the reins and either break the bridle or hurt itself. If you let go of the reins there is a decent chance the reins will stay up over the neck and out of range of your horse's front legs or any obstacles your horse may gallop past.

I for one would rather be eliminated than increase the risk of injury to myself or my horse (or even just my bridle, which cost much more than a class entry fee) to save an elimination.

Spectrum.

[eggbutt]

Ok, what would happen in this scenario...years ago I was at our Championships and overhead some frantic hushed whispering...seems a CHAMPIONSHIP test had somehow gotten LOST between the judge's box and the scorers...now I don't know if they eventually FOUND the missing test, since I was not working that particular area, and never heard the outcome.

But what WOULD happen in that case? Would the rider have to re-ride the test??? Is there even a rule addressing this scenario?

Well in any class (not just championships) there must be a valiant effort to find the test!!!!! We've had judges drive off with a test in their briefcase before! Usually a judge will hang around to be sure there aren't any ties to break for any reason. The test simply must be found --- period. I've known of tests being misplaced but never permanently lost. They simply must be found.

[AM]

No one cited this rule (included also in DR122)

l. Any resistance which prevents the continuation of the test longer than 20 seconds is
punished by elimination.

Would that not apply to the horse galloping around the arena?

[Equibrit]

G Verbonic or F Dearing ?

[monstrpony]

No one cited this rule (included also in DR122)

l. Any resistance which prevents the continuation of the test longer than 20 seconds is
punished by elimination.

Would that not apply to the horse galloping around the arena?

Had that rule been invoked strictly, the pair would have been eliminated. But given that it took well longer than 20 seconds to *find* the darned rule, I think things turned out as they should. The rider was ready to hop back on and continue immediately. But I do believe (and I was NOT any kind of official) that the horse kayro'd for more than 20 seconds before being caught.

The judge did mention in passing that she gave a low collective mark for submission, and a high one for the rider. The gal really did do a masterful job, no animosity toward the horse, just a firm hand and made the sucker go forward--just like it should be done. It was a pretty darned good ride, under the circumstances. She was a young rider, and I'd say she has a bright future, so I'm glad she got to do the ride.

Does the rule really say that the rider has to mount without assistance? Before the recent rule change in eventing, a rider who fell on XC ("no unauthorized assistance" territory) could have their horse held and get a leg up. *Nobody* mounts a dressage horse from the ground--certainly a leg up would be allowed?? (the person in question above did actually mount from the ground, unassisted--ah, youth!)

[eggbutt]

[quote=monstrpony;4280697]
Does the rule really say that the rider has to mount without assistance? /quote]

The rule that applies to this is no one else is allowed in the arena while the test is underway other than horse and rider. This would be considered "while the test is underway". Someone could come along and complain that whomever was holding the horse had a calming influence yadda-yadda-yadda.

OK....just checked the rule book and nothing is specifically written about this other than "unauthorized assistance" so it's another grey area. I suppose if the judge is decent they might allow someone in the ring to hold the horse while the rider remounted but it's definitely a grey area. I would attempt to heave myself back on the beast's back rather than risk another penalty!

[TheHorseProblem]

[quote=monstrpony;4280697]
Does the rule really say that the rider has to mount without assistance? /quote]

The rule that applies to this is no one else is allowed in the arena while the test is underway other than horse and rider. This would be considered "while the test is underway". Someone could come along and complain that whomever was holding the horse had a calming influence yadda-yadda-yadda.


Okay then, besides working on ground mounting, maybe I should have my husband standing by with one of those plastic mounting blocks to toss me.

[yaya]

I guess you could always face the horse towards the arena fence, the assistant could stand outside the arena fence and hold the horse while you mount.

Or re-mount at A, and they could give you a leg up without entering the arena and no fence in the way!

[K Bayo]

So east coast/west coast? GV or FD?

[TheHorseProblem]

G Verbonic or F Dearing ?

Translation anyone?:confused:

[K Bayo]

Were they the judges?

[TheHorseProblem]

:lol::lol::lol:

They are judges (thanks, Google.) Without the punctuation, it looked like some kind of weird code! G and F are dressage letters, so...:confused::confused::confused:

[K Bayo]

G is for Gretchen and F is for Fran

[K Bayo]

Who was the judge?

Still trying to find out

[eggbutt]

G Verbonic or F Dearing ?


Fran Dearing in Asheville, NC this past weekend.

Other than this incident, the judging by both judges seemed very accurate with good, informative comments. In fact, I never heard one complaint about scores/judging the entire weekend which is a bit unusual!:yes:

My post wasn't intended to bash the judge, just ask the question if anyone had seen anything like this before. If you asked any of the people who were questioning what they saw what they would have liked the outcome/answer to be, the only answer was to understand what had happened and learn from it and to be sure it was a level playing field for all competitors. The final response given by the TD satisfied everyone involved.

[monstrpony]

In the incident of the bucking horse, Dearing was also the judge. The rider in question had a groom/helper with her, and when the horse finally stopped, the helper was next to the arena, right outside of it, and right in front of the judge's stand. She turned and asked the judge if she could step inside the arena to grab the horse (rider had walked to the other end to try to catch the horse and was walking back), and the judge said yes. Judge then invited the rider to come back during a break to ride the horse inside the arena. Then it was realized that the horse had not left the arena, so the ride was not eliminated for that reason and should be able to continue, if the rider wanted, which she did. Since the helper was already holding the horse, she stayed there till the rider was mounted. The TD went off to find the specific rules for this situation while the judge simply judged the rest of the ride.

Come to think of it, I wasn't there all day and never checked to see if there were any changes made later in whether or not this ride was eliminated after the rules had been checked. I do know that the pair entered a later test in a scratch spot so the horse could get in the arena again later.

Given the givens, I think the episode was handled as fairly and appropriately as possible. Not the kind of rule you expect a TD to have right in the front of their brain, but everyone made good decisions in sympathy with the horse and rider, which is what is most important. I second what eggbutt said about the quality of the officials, and the good sense with which the episode was handled. Just another unusual live-and-learn for everyone.

[caddym]

I was reading for someone at a recognized show - it was a 3rd level test.

so after the first salute she was to track left - as I said - but she tracked right and then continued with a med trot across the wrong diagnol and just kept going. She did all the movements just the mirror image. I kept reading. the judge did not catch on. It was very weird. and she WON with a good score.

[Dressage Art]

In ther ring it's only you and your horse. Unauthorized assistance covers about everything from the outside of the ring: verbal advice/help as well as any non verbal advice/help.That said, I saw one judge almost giving a lesson together with a trainer to a rider whose horse was continuously balking. The test was allowed to go on, even after the "prolonged resistance" and "unauthorized assistance". It was a USDF/USEF show.

Unfortunately, just like everywhere, there is bias in the show ring.

[SGray]

[quote=Dressage Art;4282856].......That said, I saw one judge almost giving a lesson together with a trainer to a rider whose horse was continuously balking. The test was allowed to go on, even after the "prolonged resistance" and "unauthorized assistance". ........./quote]

I've heard some judges express the opinion that once a score gets to a certain point (as in extremely low) then if the rider is trying and just having lots of problems (i.e. rider is not abusive) then judge might take pity on them to try to turn an absolute disaster into a potential learning experience

most of the judges that I know are out there in that box because of a love of dressage so they try to encourage the competitors and keep growing the sport

[Dressage Art]

I've heard some judges express the opinion that once a score gets to a certain point (as in extremely low) then if the rider is trying and just having lots of problems (i.e. rider is not abusive) then judge might take pity on them to try to turn an absolute disaster into a potential learning experience

most of the judges that I know are out there in that box because of a love of dressage so they try to encourage the competitors and keep growing the sportIn this case their score shouldn't COUNT and rider shouldn't be in the ribbons. It's one thing to help to overcome an issue and school the horse and another thing to help a rider thru her test and still give her a respectful score of 60+%

[SGray]

I agree DA

the judges were speaking to me of scores that would be in the 40s (or less)

[Janet]

Well, there was some creative officiating at that show. Nothing off the rules, but some things that had to be looked up on short notice and such--training level rider gets soundly bucked off, horse goes on a major gallop but, amazingly, does not leave the dressage arena; is rider allowed to get on and "contine" the ride? They gave her the benefit of the doubt as no one was sure. That brave girl got right back on, put that horse to *work* and did a stupendous job with it.
Nothing "creative" there, nor any "benefit of the doubt". The rules are perfectly clear that you can continue after a fall, as long as the horse deosn't leave the arena.

[Janet]

Just a comment on the suggestion that people should try to hold onto the reins when they fall.

There are a couple really good reasons why you should *not* do that.

Well, if most of your riding is out in the open, and letting go of the reins means a LONG walk, either to find the horse, or to go home, holding on to the reins, at least initially, seems the better bet.

Never had a horse step through the reins. Never hurt my shoulder, though I have "skinned" my fingers.

[Peggy]

I speak from personal experience on this one: you may remount and continue the test if you fall off and your horse has not exited the arena. I was not holding on to the reins b/c I have been advised in the past not to. Horse still stayed in the ring and stared at me.

[atr]

Janet, I've both torn my rotator cuff, and been left in the woods with a pair of broken reins and no horse and a very long walk back to civilization before now, so I think it's the luck of the draw...

And back to the orginal question, if I'd been rider C, I would have been pretty cranky if it was my posted ride time.

[MEP]

I have also torn a rotator cuff hanging on to the reins; however, it was a (ride-em-cowboy, bucking bronk) rehab ride and I would not have dared let go of that horse, he would have killed himself (as it was, I also fractured my foot in 4 places requiring surgery, but that wasn't from holding on to the reins :lol:). The poor horse was in rehab forever.

[Pony Fixer]

I once did a 1st level test in reverse starting with a leg yield which I did in the wrong direction which made the bulk of my test in mirror image. I did not realize that I was in the wrong until the halt at A where I was faced the wrong way, the judge did not realize until I never moved from the halt at A. (I was thinking--$hit, do I continue, clearly I have not been rung out....). Eventually when all was figured out she had me continue from almost the end of the test, so I only showed a canter on one lead...and got a decent score (over 65%). I would have totally started over but she said it was too hot to start from scratch...

[monstrpony]

Well, if most of your riding is out in the open, and letting go of the reins means a LONG walk, either to find the horse, or to go home, holding on to the reins, at least initially, seems the better bet.

As an aside, the next time any of you are inclined to ask why the cowboy types ride with all of that extra rope on their bridles, this is exactly why. If you're out in the wilds, chasing strays, and your horse gets a burr up it's butt, and you land on the ground, all of that extra rope tucked into the back of your chaps keeps you in touch with your horse, but you can still let go of the reins and break your fall (and the horse will pull the rope loose if really necessary) Just sayin'

Janet, the officiating was only creative in the absence of anyone being sure what the rules are. What was done just demonstrated why the rules are as they are--sensible, sympathetic decisions ended up doing just what the rules say. I mean, people weren't totally clueless, but there was some doubt about what the specific rules are. The case did exceed the time limit for a disobedience, but allowing the ride to continue was correct given that the horse didn't leave the arena. And now this little incident has been given far more press than it warrants.

[ESG]

And Monstrpony, the horse has to leave the arena before the rider is eliminated. That particularly situation should have been counted as an error and nothing more since the horse couldn't figure out how to jump the little dressage rail! :lol::lol: This situation seems to happen at Southern Pines on the polo fields frequently. The riders scramble to get up and hold on to their horse and not let them leave the ring so they can finish the ride!:eek:

Interesting interpretation of the rules. I would have thought that the rider would have been DQd because of the dismount - intentional or not. :winkgrin:

As to the judging, I would have lodged a protest. There is no way that that's legal.

[Janet]

Interesting interpretation of the rules. I would have thought that the rider would have been DQd because of the dismount - intentional or not. :winkgrin:
Why, when the rules clearly say ther opposite?

[eggbutt]

Interesting interpretation of the rules. I would have thought that the rider would have been DQd because of the dismount - intentional or not. :winkgrin:

As to the judging, I would have lodged a protest. There is no way that that's legal.

The rules clearly --- very clearly --- state that the rider and horse are not eliminated unless the horse leaves the arena.

And, as for lodging a complaint, no one was inclined to spend $125 just to get an answer that we all got anyway. The rider who was allowed a "do-over" did not place in the class, although I don't recall how low his score actually was, so no one was placing penalized by what the judge did other than cause questions.

[Foxhound]

There is no fee required to submit a confidential judge's evaluation form:

http://www.usef.org/documents/competitions/LicOffEvaluation.pdf

[Dressage Art]

The use to be a rule that the pair was eliminated from the fall. BUT... as I been told, there was a big name trainer BNT who would ride her tests and then if the tests didn't go as she expected, she would "fall off" her horse at the final halt = thus be eliminated = thus the score that she didn't want did not count = yet she schooled her horse ;) so the rule was changed, so riders can't just wiggle out of the not-so-stellar-ride scores.

The point is that if you decided to show = you need to stick with it and show. You can't just scratch in the mid-test b/c you don't like the score that you'll get.

Still, some riders do scratch right before their rides if their warm up doesn't go well to avoid the low score, not to hurt their year end award standings... I'm telling you, it's all about ribbons for some people... it's not really for the love of horses or journey... it's about the end result = blue ribbon ... sad...

[Cincinnati]

I guess I'd better practice ground mounting.:winkgrin:

Ha. They better start installing hoists if they want middle-aged, stiff riders like me to mount from the ground. :eek::lol:

[Dressage Art]

Ha. They better start installing hoists if they want middle-aged, stiff riders like me to mount from the ground. :eek::lol:
It's a good thing that Debbie Mcdonald never fell of Brentina in the arena ;) http://admin.dressagedirect.com/uploads/images/_8nPhFKPUP9eWNz4-onVUQ/2008_March_Burbank_Brentina_tetleyphotodd.jpg
and
http://www.eurodressage.com/images/news_dr_mcdonald.jpg
and
http://equisearch.com/equiwire_news/world_cup_2009_debbie_ruben_800.jpg

[TheHorseProblem]

http://equisearch.com/equiwire_news/world_cup_2009_debbie_ruben_800.jpg

Gee, thanks, DA. Now I'm crying again!

[Ambrey]

Ha. They better start installing hoists if they want middle-aged, stiff riders like me to mount from the ground. :eek::lol:

Agreed. My horse does not want me practicing ground mounting, he told me so this morning.

[Dressage Art]

Since I love to take my mare (currently 4th level) to the multiple day trail rides (aka my equi-vacation with friends) I do have to mount on her (16.3h) from the ground, but I always try to find the stone or a little hill. My leg (I'm 5.3) will not reach stirrups from the flat ground no matter what.

Give your horse a cookie right after you mount to teach them to stand still and wait for you.

PS: TheHorseProblem, I'll miss them too, but it was time to give her a well deserved rest.

[Beam Me Up]

The use to be a rule that the pair was eliminated from the fall. BUT... as I been told, there was a big name trainer BNT who would ride her tests and then if the tests didn't go as she expected, she would "fall off" her horse at the final halt = thus be eliminated = thus the score that she didn't want did not count = yet she schooled her horse ;) so the rule was changed, so riders can't just wiggle out of the not-so-stellar-ride scores.


Couldn't she still duck out at the end of the test? Or dismount and lead them out?
The "falls" sound funnier though!

[K Bayo]

There is no fee required to submit a confidential judge's evaluation form:

http://www.usef.org/documents/competitions/LicOffEvaluation.pdf

You can also submit a form commending a judge. It does not always have to be negative.

[Janet]

The use to be a rule that the pair was eliminated from the fall. . Must have been a LONG time ago. my 1990 rule book says " In the case of fall of horse and/or rider the competitor will not be eliminated,"

[Dressage Art]

Janet, I'm NOT questioning that source ;) but I’m sure you can find out from “older” TDs if the story holds up

[Elatu]

I've seen riders excuse themselves 1 movement before the end of the test to have a not so stellar ride count.