Judge not lest ye be judged!

Art 4.5 : Extended Trot

The Horse covers as much ground as possible without hurrying, the steps are lengthened to the utmost as a result of great impulsion from the Hindquaters. The Athlete allows the horse to lengthen the frame and to gain ground whilst controlling the poll. The fore feet should touch the ground on the spot towards which they are pointing. The movement of the fore and hind legs should reach equally forward in the moment of extension. The whole movement should be smoothly executed by taking more weight on the Hindquarters.

Having watched Uthopia earn 10s for this movement and having read the rubbish from BD forum members who would be hard pushed to produce a test worthy of more than 60% I have one piece of advice for them all. Spec savers now does two pairs for the price of one!

Should judges be required to ride at the level that they judge? Does being a rider make you a better judge? Certainly there may be more empathy but as judges are there to recognise good training and not there to give a riding lesson surely being a rider or not should not make an iota of difference. The only time I can see a problem is if the marks are not what the rider desired. This may lead to the comment,'what does she/he know?' However the same can be true of a rider that judges, he/she may have ridden at the level required but badly, or he/she may not have earned high marks through lack of horse power. I think a good judge is a good judge. I dont like it when I go past the box and glimpse the judge looking away from me or head down and chatting to writer, I expect what I give, 100% to the test being ridden. Honesty, integrity, sense of humour and knowledge as well as stamina and concentration are what is required at all levels. A lot of riders at the lower levels cannot afford trainers every week so some guidence really helps and many a time someone has thanked me for positive comments and pointing them in the right direction. Fit the comments to the combination in front of you ie raw amateur or semi pro or pro. Just pick out one or two of the scales of training needing more work and try not to write a book. Some sheets resemble war and peace! These are just my thoughts and the way I do it so please dont shoot me!! I also think the comments more suppleness etc all have a place. I mean to say, how many times have you heard a trainer shouting more bend, more bend! I want to shout, where, where? bend through the neck, through the ribs through the hips??? In training 'bend is your friend.' so I am told. Careful though, this does not mean riding on the inside rein!
Im hoping that tomorrow brings back my mojo and enthusiasm for riding. Its not that I don't want to ride, its just that I want to ride much better. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut and can't get out. Why is it that one day you get a fab result and think you've cracked it and then you spend the next decade trying to repeat that feeling and the harder you try the more it eludes you! Admittedly I am trying to produce more cadence on a 16 year old (she doesn't look it and she has had a year off),but I sometimes wonder if I should just hang up my boots and take up breeding them instead. If Mr Hester is a secret blog reader,(I put nothing past him), please find that slot you promised me before Rotterdam! Meanwhile, tomorrow Im popping to my friend Ulrichs to work her as the surface is super and I get some good advice.

I read with interest today about Icelands quiet revolution.

Why Iceland Should Be in the News, But Is Not
sacsis.org.za
Icelanders have quietly carried out a revolution by toppling a weak government, drafting a new constitution and seeking to jail those responsible for the country's economic debacle.
Apparantly this revolution has not been reported by the media in Europe because they do not want us to know that this is possible. Just goes to show how this government controls its population but they better watch out, ideas are already forming! How I would love to be in charge for one week! My friend said she would order indoor schools in every village! Not a priority for most of the population Claire but great idea! I would make bankers resposible for their mistakes and stop all their bonuses, increase pensions and stop benefits, close borders and ban human rights and finally pull out of europe and become a free trading country again! Not that I am political at all!

I have found the recipe for Dutch pancakes! No wonder they took so long as they are cooked in the oven and take half an hour! Anyway I cooked one today and it was yummy! Maybe not as good as grandmas, but practice makes perfect! With all these calories its a good job I have joined a zumba class!

Well I have entered Bee for another show on Sunday so lets hope she has watched the videos in slow motion and read all the classical dressage books. I do hope her +DAP shows and I pray I can manufacture a big trot and canter. Lets hope the judge has the qualities I desire and finds some good marks and if she doesn't I will just write a blog!!!