I have to admit that the judge on Wednesday really knocked me for six with that stupid bitchy comment. I know I should be able to ignore her, but I really struggle. I thought she would recognise Jazz (she's seen him often enough in the last two years, she's been our judge for 50% of the tests he's done there!) and realise what an enormous step forward for him that test was. Nope. All she thought of doing was knocking me down when she saw how pleased I was. Cow.
I know he isn't "ready" for mediums, but he and I both enjoy them a lot more than the lower level tests because they keep both of us interested and on the ball. This dressage lark has got beyond a joke with how incredibly seriously we are all supposed to take it. It's hardly a matter of life and death is it, how well you do a half pass left?
Anyway, I'm taking stock and also because of constant rain I only ridden the one horse, Ace, once since Wednesday. Tomorrow SH and I are taking two days away to recharge our batteries by the seaside, and Wednesday I hope to have renewed energy to get back on with Jazz and Ace's schooling and Radar's fitness training. And work out a strategy of how to compete as a social occasion and not get bent out of shape by the kind of people who choose to train to judge dressage, a good proportion of whom seem to be people who do it so that they can pick holes in other people.
Rant over.
I forgot to muzzle Buttie and Ace last night and I will be waiting on tenterhooks to see if it has affected either of them. Radar was a dork this morning and led everyone a merry dance around the garden instead of going from the barn into his stable. Tetley was just like him - very affected by changes of weather front, is he still ML? And thanks for reminding me that Buttie was not so fat when I fed Ace from racks instead of on the floor - I have returned to the racks and he is thinner already. I gave them up when I had to switch from small bale to big bale. It's easy to get a small bale leaf into a rack. With big bale you get it in your eyes, down your bra and almost everywhere else :-)
See you Wednesday folks.
C
It is so hard when you do all the work of braiding, spiffing you and horse up, loading, driving, paying all the fees etc, not to take competing seriously, and I have so many times experienced the same frustrations you have. One negative, undermining comment from a judge can completely undo you.
ReplyDeleteI had a judge give me a zero for a leg yield one time and I have a professional show photographer's image of that moment in the test clearly showing that my horse was crossing his legs laterally in a leg yield going in the disputed direction. (Thanks for watching my test, judge.)
While I certainly sympathize, there is not much I can say to ease your misery except to let you know it happens to everyone. It is not easy to block out the opinions of others--especially when you have paid them to offer opinions--but the only way to go at it is to set your own goals for each competition and be satisfied if you meet them. I DO NOT mean scores either. You decided that Jazz's overall demeanor and submission where high priority and you scored with both. You won, no matter what the score.
I scored horribly on my championship tests a few years ago, coming in last place in the division. But I was pinned (There were only six or so competitors at my level) and was expected to do a victory gallop after receiving my ribbon in the main arena. Dead last, crummy scores...but I had a huge grin on my face. Why? It was just after I had treated Tucker for ulcers and he was totally relaxed and behaved in a totally distracting situation in that arena, galloping along behind the other horses completely under control and content.
To be honest, I think that was one of the unforgettable highlights of my entire showing career. Comments on the test paper were forgotten and dismal scores faded to oblivion. All that mattered that that moment was a partnership between my horse and me.
Jazz gave you a great gift the other day. Cherish it--keep the wheat and throw out the chaff.
Enjoy your mini vacation!
Don't take it on board...that judge was just an arse!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with SH :-)
Oh yes, Tetters is still the equine barometer. He knows, before there is any visible sign, that the weather is about to change.
ReplyDeleteWell, I agree with Jean. Take what was good from the day.
ReplyDeleteThe judge reminds me of one I wrote for once.
"Cow" was what I was thinking all the time. A short time afterwards I was at another competition and riders were discussing a foul judge and guess who it was .................?
Dressage people do take life very seriously, since I am not at that level the judges are mostly kind to the Mrs. Hopeless ones.
Still, if you want serious, just go to a Western Equestrian competition ......
Ello, its Thursday evening you know!!!!
ReplyDelete;-)
Yeah, sorry, had my head stuck up my own backside.
ReplyDeleteNever thought Western would be that way Judith!
Ahh, nice to know the weather vane still works ML :-)
You are right about the judge Mandeigh!
Nice stories Jean, it happens to us all, doesn't it?
C