I have judged several dressage schooling events over the years, and believe me it is not easy to be the person writing the critique. Especially in a sport like dressage where the sport is not as straightforward to judge as is the fence down, did the clock run out, did the barrel fall over, who crossed the finish line first. While you try to be as objective and to follow all the guidelines as closely as possible, dressage is in part, art and is subjective to some degree. No matter how hard a human being tries. Additionally it is very hard to ring that bell and dismiss someone from the ring for a major error. It is however, the only way to keep the competition fair.
Most judges in any equestrian sport have 'been there and done that' themselves and have empathy for how hard an individual will have worked to be there on the day. Life is unpredictable however, I believe we learn more from experiences when things don't go as we planned than those times when they do. It's also true of horse training. The easy to train horses are a blessing, but the difficult ones who have obstacles to overcome are the ones that teach you as a trainer. Why are people so quick to judge the judges and yell at the event organizers?
I recall many years ago being at a major show down in Dutchess County, and listening appalled as an FEI rider cantered her horse over to the event organizer who was dodging about busy on the showgrounds in his 'de rigeur' mode of transport the golf cart, and proceeded to yell and swear and carry on about the footing, the speakers, the proximity of other competitors, the loudness of the bell and every conceivable topic that a show competitor could possibly berate about - she became redder and redder in the face, angrier and angrier. From what I and the rest of the entire gaggle of folks could could figure out, there was very little verity in her argument. But even if she had valid issues she wanted to address, there is a system for that. Use it.
How many times have you been at an event, from a 4H or Pony Club outing to the pinnacle events in equestrian sports and seen this kind of behavior? By competitors (sometimes), by their parents (often), by their trainer (frequently) or by their spouse or other team members?
In Europe you cannot compete at the next level until you have scored well enough at the one you are competing in, and you have to start at the beginning. No skipping into 4th on a trained horse. If there is a class with too little interest entry wise then the show managers will cancel the class. What is the point of winning top place in a class against yourself? What is the point in gaining a ribbon because you beat out someone with less experience in whose class you simply do not belong? To keep the horse owners happy? To kid yourself you are better than you are?
Believe me I am fiercely competitive and love to win, we all do. But there are different types of winning.
Sportsmanship and horsemanship are two important actions in my book and actions truly do speak louder than words.
With experience as both a parent of more than one horse mad kid and a trainer of students from true beginners to those competing at the height of dressage sport, the three 'p's in dressage, swallowing a certain amount of pride and allowing that maybe your charge is not quite ready, or sometimes anywhere near ready for the competition can be a challenge. We've all made our bad decisions. For me with both students and horses. Ones I've pushed too hard, ones I have not pushed hard enough. Ones I just plain 'let down'.
The kids want to go to the show, their friends are going, their trainer may want them to compete unfortunately sometimes just to fill the slot on the van. Parents almost always want to see their kid participate and want to see the ribbons on the stall door. Horse owners want the scores, the kudos, the great day out, the bragging rights. Event organizers and horse organizations want to fill their classes and want return competitors. Compromises come at a price.
Every trainer, judge and event organizer and most especially the volunteers are often the target of some type of verbal abuse, badmouthing and internet blaspheming at some point in their careers.
As we head into the 2013 show season in the North East I urge everyone to remember that good sportsmanship is as important to teach our students (of any age) as good horsemanship. It is also imperative that we demonstrate both ourselves in every action and deed.
Respect should always be given to everyone on an equal basis on both sides no matter their age, tax bracket or experience. It is important to do your job fairly, regardless of negative barrage or financial benefit you think may follow. Show organizers MUST support their staff and show leadership and fairness in any situation and not rush to judgement. Rules must be followed by everyone, even if you don't like them or agree with them. There is a system to change them. If you want to see rules changed, spend some time at the meetings and talk to your representatives.
Horse showing is expensive, it is fun and it is serious. Just be careful that you are teaching your charges whether they are your students or your own family, the right lessons. Because those lessons will stick long after the ribbons are discarded and dusty in the barn and the glory days are far behind.
There is always another obstacle in front of you in life, and learning how to overcome it with fairness, grace and integrity is an important lesson to teach. I've got to admit though, it sometimes a lot easier to teach a horse than a human.
