As I suspect y'all have figured out, Courage and I compete in dressage. (Omg I can actually say that and be like IN FACT YES WE GO TO SHOWS. Cool.) Anyways. There is no spectator assistance allowed, though at the lower levels you are allowed to have a test reader in non-championship classes.Until this year, I'd never used one. I mean, the tests are published MONTHS (if not years) in advance of the shows and you know what tests you're doing going in and I used to think there was NO EXCUSE for having someone read something you OUGHT to have memorized. It's not like a jumper course where you get to learn on the go. It's literally available for free online for THREE YEARS.
But then there was all the chaos at the show and I only sorta half knew one of my tests and the other one not at all and THEN I found out that I'd been told I'd ride the tests in one order but not was riding them in the other order and so the test I memorized was now second and I had like 38 seconds to learn the test I hadn't memorized and CUE PANIC.
And then this lovely lady offered to read for me. (And they let me ride the tests in the original order, phew).And wow.
That was really helpful. It was our first out of the year and I was so focused on giving Courage a tactful ride that it was really, really nice to have that little extra check on where I was going.
I'm still too proud to use a reader all the time, but what a relief it was that day.
So how do you feel about "outside assistance" in your chosen discipline? Do you take advantage? Frown on it? Try to get your competitors disqualified?
I appreciated outside help during Jumper schooling shows, but I have never used it for Dressage shows and honestly I feel like I would find it more confusing than helpful. When I'm riding my brain is focused 100% on riding and outside influences only interfere and fluster me.
ReplyDeleteReading the title, I totally thought this post was going to be about outside rein and leg haha.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with you on both counts. I think it's important to be able to operate without a reader because you might not always have one available (like the show I went to this past weekend, I only knew one other person and her ride times were right near mine so she couldn't read for me). Also, sometimes I think a reader would mess me up if I'm in a groove. It's nice to have a reader when you're doing multiple tests close to each other without much time for test review in between though. The other time I have used a reader is for schooling shows where they use the free CADORA tests instead of the USDF ones because I don't know those ones as well.
Me too! I was reading the first paragraph and wondering where the post was going and then laughed when I realized there are other outside aids besides leg/rein (shocking I know)...
DeleteI think readers have a time and a place (first show nerves) but can also be a hindrance (reading wrong test/not having a complete test and trying to make up the end).
lol ditto the outside leg & rein!! it IS a favorite topic of mine
DeleteMe four :D
DeleteMe five!
DeleteI used to use a reader at dressage shows when I was starting out with Mikey (11 years ago). I stopped as soon as I realized I couldn't process all of the information my brain was being presented with- my horse not acting accordingly, good/bad readers, listening for the judge, trying to make things nice, etc. I was at a clinic a couple years ago riding 2-3 and the clinician didn't know it off by heart so he had someone read for me... Well we're riding in a small arena instead of standard, I'm listening to the test because it's being spoken, I'm listening to the clinician give me directions, and then I'm trying to act on it all and towards the end of the test, the reader's instructions fell out of my head and I couldn't fall back on my own memorization because I had gotten lost in the arena, and I had to stop and ask them to repeat the direction. Embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteNo readers for me, ever, at all. One of the last times I took Mikey out, a horse had a complete meltdown in the ring next to me and I never knew until I looked at the pictures of my test and saw it freaking out in the background. I memorize tests early so I know them forwards and backwards, I have a plan for each movement, and I end up in my own little world while I'm riding.
I don't hold it against those who do use readers, but I've seen them at all levels at recognized shows (training through FEI). I think once you're out of the lower levels you should be making an effort to learn your tests because you can't just go out there and go off your reader's direction- you have to have a plan.
I think outside trainer help (like at hunter shows, where a trainer can loudly yell at a kid which jump is next and how many strides she should get and when to kick the pony) is ridiculous. I mean, going off course is one thing, but not being able to figure out when to kick or what your striding should be? Uh... no. You're not being tested on your ability to memorize, but on your ability to ride the horse and movements appropriately. So if someone can tell you how to do that, instead of just where you are going? Nope. Feels like cheating.
ReplyDeletePlus, if you know where you are going, you'll be able to better ride the test/movements the way they are supposed to be ridden. So it pays to know your test.
That said, sometimes people blank on the damn thing in the ring. I've been there. I have zero issues with using a reader, but I have issues with people relying on the reader. You should know your test so that the reader is a back up, not so that you are using them to get around.
Then you have me. Readers distract me too much, and I forget to ride my damn test. But I also sometimes go off course because I'm too busy riding my damn difficult creature to remember where I'm going. Win/lose. That's competing.
I feel like I should know my tests, and really, I do try... but having a reader as backup takes some of the pressure off. Because we all know how good I am at remembering tests. *facepalm*
ReplyDeleteI use a reader for my dressage tests simply because I get out there & my brain goes "OMFG!!!" :/
ReplyDeleteHa! So we had just come down to the trot for our trot fence in the little Derby this weekend and Ellie must have just realized that there were giant Disney posters on the standards (Disneyland Derby) and paused a beat. I swear there was a collective, simultaneous "cluck" from everyone standing along the rail. That's what I noticed most from the peanut gallery- clucking and the occasional "look up."
ReplyDeleteI have found having a reader to be really distracting. And one time my reader told me the wrong thing and got herself totally lost! So I always go without a reader. Just my personal preference.
ReplyDeleteAs for outside assistance ... I don't really care. After all, it is just you and your horse in the ring. A trainer can yell all they want - but it's up to the rider to produce results.
i hate outside help. a reader is fine, ive used one when catch riding. i do not miss h/j land and the trainer screaming things from the ingate. its distracting and annoying. i thought eventers were just a quieter bunch (hah) until i realized its just not allowed.
ReplyDeleteif youre competing you shouldnt need someone to shout at you how to ride,
Coming from the hunters I'm accustomed to trainer assistance while riding. It doesn't bother me much either way. Personally I'm an independent rider and have not struggled much with learning tests or courses - so making it around without assistance suits me. I've also been happy to act as reader for friends. Really it comes down to personal preferences and comfort levels I think. Tho I would encourage riders to do their best to be independent enough should the circumstances necessitate that (i.e. Don't be completely paralyzed if your trainer can't be ringside)
ReplyDeleteI use a reader whenever I can - it helps me focus on the movement I am doing at the moment instead of thinking too far ahead. I still memorize the test (readers make errors sometimes!) but it helps me relax and ride more effectively.
ReplyDeleteI say if you need a reader, go for it! They distract the hell out of me though, as I need complete zen silence to keep my crazy brain on task.
ReplyDeleteI've always found a reader distracting so I've only used one a few times. I also refuse to read for clients unless there's a reason why (had a kid with severe test anxiety one year, another had a horse who seriously acted up in warm up and she was nervous). Like you said the tests are available for years and hopefully you've had time to memorize them. But I mostly don't want to read because I like to watch and take pictures.
ReplyDeleteTaking pictures is totally valid.
DeleteI use a reader all the freaking time. I can handle memorizing one dressage test, but two is too much for my pea brain to handle. I try to have a general idea of where I'm going and what movement is next so in case I mishear or don't hear the reader I'm not veering totally off course.
ReplyDeleteDude I'm not above having my trainer yell "GO TO THE YELLOW FLOWERS" in every one of my courses. In fact, she's done this... more than once. I would have a reader as long as I possibly could.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I can't focus on both the reader and my ride. Heck, half the time I feel like I'm tuning out my instructor. I wish I could use one for help if needed but I'm also pretty good at memorizing so lucky I've never needed one. However, I've only ever ridden at intro level so that could always change haha.
ReplyDeleteI have definitely been present when olympian coaches tried to sneak their riders as little more info during a test, and I didn't trip balls about it. And I personally would LOVE someone to remind me to sit the fuck up during my jumper rounds so I stop slumping progressively as we move towards the last fence.
ReplyDeleteBut there's also something about doing it all yourself that is super cool! So there's that.
See, that would piss me off. If you can't ride without your trainer holding your hand, maybe you're not ready to show.
DeleteI take advantage of the reader because I mostly am a nervous nelly at competitions and forget my tests haha.
ReplyDeleteIn eventing and in carriage driving you can't have a reader. So I grew up basically not ever having that option and never even questioning it. Once in awhile though, when our barn would go to USDF shows... having a reader was awesome. I agree with you, that it really should be *part* of the test, knowing what is coming ahead and preparing accordingly for it... but in the real world shit sometimes goes all to bits when you're in the arena and you can't even remember which way you're going much less anything else!
ReplyDeleteI've only ridden a dressage test one time for giggles, but at least in the jumpers, while it's nice when I'm lost to have someone yell the next jump at me, I'm much better off just knowing the course, because once I start riding the course one jump at a time, it becomes impossible to think ahead and ride with a plan. I feel like in dressage I would run into the same issue--instead of planning ahead and riding each movement smoothly, the test would be clunky and ugly because I wouldn't have a long term plan. Having the reader as a back up could certainly be nice though. I will say that my trainer standing at the get and occasionally yelling at me to sit up is helpful, because otherwise I end up like a turtle with my reins too long by the end of the course. Haha.
ReplyDeleteI remember a 4h show walk/trot class where a local trainer had people positioned near each corner to help the student out. Meanwhile the kid from my group went in the ring and kicked butt with zero assistance.
ReplyDeleteThat said I like a reader during the first dressage test as show nerves are a thing, but after that I've been ok.