ONLINE dressage has often been perceived as the poor relation of ‘real’ dressage competitions, but, with lockdown, attitudes have drastically changed! Frustrated riders have flocked to participate and entries to online platforms have soared.
It has become apparent that online dressage has so much to offer! Apart from the obvious – such as no need to travel, less pressure while riding from home, a flexible timetable, a broad schedule with something for everybody – there are very significant other benefits!
One of the regular competitors at Dressage at Home and International, Jill Hobson, has shared her thoughts on online dressage with Horse Week. Jill has competed her horse, ‘Furisto Seven for a Secret’, in the Freestyle to Music class and in the Medium dressage class. In the latest league, which has just started, she has moved up to compete, with great success, at Advanced Medium level.
“Firstly, I find that having my test in a video format, from exactly the perspective the judge sees it, allows me to self-analyse my performance, to find the weak points and to make a mental note never to do that again. This contributes to my learning experience and growth as a rider,” Jill began.
“Then, when I get my judge’s feedback, unlike in a ‘real’ test, where the moment has passed, I can sit down with both the sheet and the video and have the benefit of a whole tutoring session (in repeatable format) in front of my eyes! It becomes so clear what the judge has rewarded or faulted, and the lesson is easy to take on board for the next time.
“Next, the judges themselves… Online platforms are not geographically tied to the availability of judges. In ‘real’ tests, the input of a limited pool of judges can have an equally restricted effect on the knowledge competitors take away. But many online platforms are drawing not only from Dressage Ireland listed judges, but also from British Dressage, offering both confirmation of achievement and a new perspective. For example, Dressage at Home and International, the Northern Irish online platform currently available through a Facebook search, has three English judges in the team and is currently in negotiation with others to expand the panel,” she continued.
“As well as this, the standard of judging online has, in my experience, always been scrupulously high. At Dressage at Home and International, all the judges are listed, either with Dressage Ireland or British Dressage, and usually from a higher list: most are high achieving riders themselves; and all have a broad range of experience, one having judged as far away as Australia and India!
“A ‘real’ test is tied to a timescale of about six minutes per competitor, and the judge, under pressure, is forced to make snap decisions, or sometimes write collective comments that have become vague, or lose their personal importance, by necessity of time restrictions. How many times have we read the ubiquitous comment of ‘a lot to like’… while the bell is ringing for the next competitor?
“Conversely, I have been strongly impressed by the lengthy and relevant feedback written on many of my online test sheets – sometimes amounting to a veritable essay! This is the time to sit down with a nice cup of tea and spend the time assimilating the new advice!
“I have scribed several times for judges of online tests at Dressage at Home and International, and the one thing that has impressed me is the time given to each test, frequently the judge asking to ‘pause’ or ‘replay’ sections of the test for a better informed judgement! Be warned – nothing will escape a conscientious online judge!
“Now Dressage @ Home & International has widened the range of classes to include jumping. Yes, you read that right! This is the latest addition to the schedule, and a rapidly growing class! It is judged on the style and effectiveness of the horse and rider over a course of jumps – something that is relevant not only to those wishing to improve their show jumping technique, but also to the working hunter aficionados, as it directly relates to the judging of the jumping phase of working hunter competitions,” said Jill.
“For me, online dressage has offered a great learning experience, a chance to compete with young horses, to get valuable feedback, to move up the levels, all from my own arena. Gone is the perception of low standards, small classes, easy wins – now riders are competing, at the highest of standards, with riders from around the worlds! (Not to forget the stunning quality of the three and four-tier rosettes that come through the post-box – my favourite early morning wake up call!).” Jill concluded.
Lockdown has brought the horse world its share of difficulties, but one positive is the vastly increased popularity of online dressage. There is no doubt, as the future moves towards the increased use of technology, online dressage is here to stay! And no longer the poor relation, but bringing its own advantages to the table, a competitive platform in its own right!
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