Judge's Top Tips

If you feel nervous riding in front of dressage judges, then you are not alone! Many of us tense up and feel the pressure when riding in front of others, but Petplan want to help you feel at ease.

Petplan have teamed up with FEI Dressage judge and trainer Andrew Fletcher to bring you his top tips to help you feel as relaxed and as confidence as possible ahead of your next competition. Remember, those judges’ comments can be super helpful when preparing for your next outing.  
 
Kicking up a fuss between the dressage boards

If your horse can sometimes be a little naughty or even spooky during your test, it can be very easy to become distracted, nervous and even a little tense. Andrew puts our minds at ease as he speaks to us about misbehaving horses from a judges point of view:
 
“Judges are all human,” Andrew begins. “Most judges would appreciate horse problems and understand that riding dressage tests are not always easy or straightforward. Primarily I would concentrate on dealing with trying to find a solution to this issue and not worry too much about the score or what people may or may not think.”  
 
“If your horse is spooking,” Andrew continues. “Personally, I would use inside flexion with a rideable inside leg, flexing your horse away from problem areas to reduce spooking. I find gradually approaching the problem works better than taking the issue head on. Your approach should be to help your horse cope rather than frighten him more by giving the problem to much of your attention. As a judge I would rather see a combination give a slightly wide birth and lose a mark or two for accuracy than see horses put the brakes on.”  
 
Andrew’s Top Tip

My advice would be to persevere and work on keeping your horse in front of your leg during the warm-up and from the start of the test. If practice does not improve your horse’s way of going then I would suggest getting some help from a reputable trainer, or consider whether there could be a bigger issue as to why your horse is reacting in such a way? If he is spooking at objects not normally found in your arena, consider using a table at home to act as a judges box and perhaps incorporate flowers and other objects.  
 
Moving up the levels  
Moving up the levels can be daunting, so here Andrew shares his advice; “Being ready to move up a level is not an exact science,” Andrew advises. “Ideally you should feel confident at the current level and address any gaps in your horse’s training.” 
 
Andrew’s Top Tip

Ensure you have a full understanding of the new level including a knowledge of the movements required. If finances permit and you feel you are performing the test reasonably well on your own, then you should consider attending a BD test riding clinic in your area. This will enable you to ride the test and be judged by a BD listed judge who will give you an idea of the marks of each movement. They may also help with improving any weak areas.  

Standing out 

Andrew shares some tips for producing a ‘stand-out’ test, suggesting that a rememberable test will always have:  

• Good balance of both horse and rider. Horses who work through a test whilst maintaining good longitudinal and lateral balance will show good levels of self-carriage and suppleness, whilst showing correct rhythm in all paces.
• Invisible aids are desirable from a rider who is in complete harmony with the horse.
• Impulsion from the horse’s hind-legs will always be pleasing to see as long as they do not begin to run onto the forehand.
• Always remember to ride from back to front, meaning impulsion from the hindlegs to an elastic rein contact that helps balance the horse and manage energy.
• A good square halt. This is achieved through the horse arriving in good balance and ideally not against the hand. Try to keep active hindlegs whilst collecting into downward transitions. Use mirrors, eyes on the ground and helpers at home to practice this.
• A good salute, one that should be completed confidently and in good balance whilst your horse is fully immobile. It is very acceptable to smile, but not essential, and your reins should be taken in one hand and a soft contact kept. 

Preparing for your next competition 

Understanding the judge’s summary at the end of your dressage sheet is essential and one of the most important areas of the test sheet. Here, Andrew explains why:

“All judges are trained thoroughly to sum up the test in the arena at the end of the test sheet, named Judges Comments. The summing up comments should be factual and therefore reflect the actual test, ideally outlining good areas and maybe give a pointer to weaker areas along with possible future improvements.” 
 
“If you do not understand these comments, then along with your sheet you should definitely approach the judge for a polite discussion after the class has finished. Judges are encouraged to discuss tests at the end of the class if riders wish.”