A Dressage Scribe
Scribe or Sit with a Judge – Scribing is a great way to learn what a judge looks for in a good test. Shows love having volunteer scribes and you will learn great deal. Scribing is one of my favorites, I just can’t quite figure out how to watch my paper and the horse at the same time yet.
Don’t Warm Up your Horse Too Much. This can be hard to gauge and you will need to know your horse well to warm him or her up correctly. Make sure to check the show time so you know if the show is running ahead or behind schedule. Warm up is not a time for training. If your horse is having a bit of trouble with a movement, don’t drill as if you were training at home. Usually drilling will make the situation worse. Just accept what you have to work with that day and do the best you can. Keep in mind the weather and its impact on your horse. An extremely hot day can definitely change how your horse preforms. The key to this tip, practice, practice, practice and know your horse.
Always Prepare for Your Next Movement – Have your next test movement in your head and prepare your horse before the movement is to be asked. You however don’t want your horse to anticipate the movement. This can be a tricky balancing act between preparation and anticipation. Keeping a variety while working at home can help with anticipation.
Ride Your Fullest Potential – Don’t turn into stone the minute you enter the dressage arena and forget to ride your horse. Your horse needs guidance and direction from you. Make sure you are not so conservative you don’t allow your horse quality movements.
Entrance and Exit Halts are Important! These are the first and last things the judge sees in your test so make sure these movements are good.
Read the Directions and Purpose of the Test – Each dressage test has the directions and purpose written at the top of the test. Read those to get a better understanding of what the judge expects to see out of you and your horse when preforming.
Halt at X- Halts should be at X (if designated on the test). Remember at the lower levels you may ride the halt through the walk. It is better to ride the halt through the walk at be at X than to overshoot X. Occasionally you may ride a test where a judge will be at B or E then your precision will really be put to the “test.” 
Do you have any tips on ways to improve a dressage score? If so, please feel free to share so we can all learn with you.
