June Update

The June issue of Dressage Today is out. That’s Terri’s photo of Steffen Peters and Ravel on the cover, and her photos also accompany my article on the competition. You can also see my commentary on the World Cup warmups at www.dressagetrainingonline.com

June is packed with shows and clinics: I just finished judging the CDI at Raleigh, and this month I’ll be judging everywhere from Kalispell, MT to Mexico City to Blaineville, Canada, as well as teaching a judges’ forum in Mexico and clinics in several states. 

As you can see, I spend a lot of time on planes, and either in or around the dressage arena, and not so much time in front of computers, so I hope you’ll forgive me for not posting more. But if you have any questions that I can answer,  please submit them through the Comments box, and I’ll answer them as soon as I can!

Axel

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. Stay tuned for observations and commentary from the world of dressage.

World Cup in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack arena is the next stop for both me and my wife, Terri Miller. We’re looking forward to seeing many of you there!

Meanwhile, please peruse the “Ask Axel” question and answer column, which originally appeared on  Terri’s blog.

Axel

Dressage Judges and “Different” Breeds

Candace asks:

“I have a question about dressage judges and breeds of horses. Do most judges take into account the way of going of different breeds? Should they? I have heard the owner of some PRE Andalusians state that it is always hard for his horses to score well because most judges prefer the Warmblood way of going, and might penalize the Andalusians for their natural difference in foot action or speed.”

Axel Steiner replies:

The short answer to both of your questions is, “No.”

The longer answer: Dressage training is beneficial for most breeds of horses. However, dressage competition is judged on standards based on the conformation and movements of European warmbloods. These standards and requirements are codified in rules books all over the world. (See the US Equestrian Federation rule book.) Therefore, it is not that a judge might “prefer” a warmblood, it is more that the non-warmblood may have difficulty meeting the established standards for the level being shown. Breeds that are not bred specifically for the gaits and movement of dressage competition may have trouble achieving those standards. In order to become more competitive, several non-warmblood breed organizations are now striving to breed their horses in such a way that they more closely meet the competitive dressage standards. You can see this already in some of the very competitive Friesians, Andalusians and Lusitanos that are now coming into the sport.

Thank you for a good question!

(If you have a question for Axel, you’ll find a submission form when you click on Questions For Axel at the top.)

Questions About Judging

Anne M. asks:

“Dear Axel,

After attending many shows this past season as an observer I have walked away feeling that judging has become very subjective. Even within the same test a rider may score 65% with one judge and a 58% from the other judge. I send this question out to you because I have a lot of respect for your methods. Why is this so?

“When judging, especially in the upper levels, are there reccuring themes or mistakes that you see that a rider could change to recieve a higher score? What are the most important components of putting together a solid test in your mind-20so that a rider can recieve more consistant scores within the same test? Thanks!”

Dear Anne,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address your question, which is actually three questions: 1) Has judging gotten more subjective? 2) Are there recurring mistakes in tests? and 3) What are the most important components of a test?

1) You must realize that judging is subjective, has always been so, and will be so in the future. However, judging has improved tremendously in the last 20 years or so. There is nothing wrong with “educated subjectivity.” Better instruction for the judges, videos (replays), live clinics, and frank discussions all have helped to reduce subjectivity. But nothing is better than experience. When you have judged a certain movement a thousand times, you build up a standard and then can compare the movement you are viewing against your standard.

Even with a solid standard, judges can come up with slightly different scores for the same movement. The difference between a 6 and 7, or 7 and 8, is not very much and depends on many factors, subjectivity being one of them. Another factor is the location of the judge and what can and cannot be clearly seen from that position. This has been an ongoing issue and that is why there is currently some discussion about adding two more judges at K and F for major championships. For instance, the judge at “M” can see the straightness, or lack thereof, of an extended trot going away from him, while at the same time the judge at “E” or “B” can see the horse’s frame and ability to cover ground. The judge at “C” can best see how straight the entry and halt is; the judges on the sides can see more clearly whether that same halt is square.

2) & 3) The answers to these two questions are very much interrelated. The simple answer is “Attention to Basics.” Basics are important at every level. The Training Scale (rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, collection) is a never ending process. Correctness of gaits is just as important at Grand Prix as at Training Level. Quality of riding is just as important too! Once a horse or rider is at Grand Prix, they have been through the Training Scale many, many times, each time with greater demands and requirements.

But talent is a prerequisite also. Like any sport, the parties have to have some basic talent. Some people dance with rhythm and grace, others can’t keep a beat. Let’s face it, some horses would much rather do something other than dressage, and some riders will always be awkward on a horse and have difficulty learn to sit properly. But even with talent, many riders don’t spend enough time developing a independent seat and quiet hands before they venture into a competition arena.

As far as the training of the horse goes, many riders ignore the principles of consistent training laid down in the Training Scale. Schooling at home at a level higher than you are showing would eliminate a lot of the recurring mistakes and bring scores up significantly.

I hope this answers some of your questions!

Axel

(If you’ve got a question for Axel, you’ll find a submission form when you click on Questions For Axel at top.)

Behind the Vertical or….?

Lynn asked: “At least here in the U.S., I get distressed at dressage competitions to see so many horses who are either behind the bit, or overbent, with trailing hocks or all of the above rewarded with high scores. In fact, it’s discouraged me completely from any plans to show my young Lipizzan-Arab competitively. What hope can you give me, if any?”

Axel replied:

Dear Lynne,

In general I fully agree with you. I too am distressed when improperly trained and ridden horses get rewarded with high scores. However, I am a bit confused with your lead in sentence “at least here in the US….” This implies to me that you have observed better practices in other parts of the world. Here I must disagree with you; unfortunately, I have observed behind the vertical/out behind all over the world!

We all hope to see horses shown at, or slightly in front of the vertical, with hind legs sufficiently under and carrying for the level shown. However, because of riding or training faults, this is not always what happens in the ring. It is also unfortunately a fact that some judges are better than others at seeing proper or improper ways of going, and at rewarding or punishing what they see. This should not keep you from having fun with your horse at horse shows. Just be careful and thorough with your training so that your young horse doesn’t fall into the category you asked about! Thank you for your question, and good luck!

Axel

(I you have a question for Axel you’ll find a submission form when you click on Questions For Axel at top.)