I wrote this article about my experience becoming a Recorded Dressage Judge last year, and it was published in the Ottawa Area Dressage Group's Spring 2015 Newsletter:
Perspectives
The view from the judge’s booth: A Journey in Judging
My name is Shannon Becvar. I'm 36, and moved my farm and horses to Pembroke in 2013 after a decade in Timmins, leaving behind a small but successful teaching and training program, and bringing me closer to family and access to more opportunities. Last year I obtained my Dressage Canada 'r' Judge's card. For myself, the journey to judge came from looking ahead to a season where I wasn't prepared to compete, but I needed to meet people within my new community and develop my skills.
The process to become a judge is laid out in the Rule Book. I had obtained the competition results required to enter the system, and then needed to spend time sitting with experienced judges as a scribe and also as an auditor, watching and discussing with the judge in addition to the scribe. I needed to obtain permission from the show organizers, as well as from the judges, before the shows. Without any hesitation, everyone I contacted welcomed me into the process. I also attended the Judge's Clinic in Palgrave, and while it was intense to score a test in front of Olympic judge Cara Whitham, it was a wonderful opportunity to network with a room full of people who love to watch dressage all day, just like me.
Learning to judge, like learning to ride, is ongoing. Something new always feels goofy at first, and the only solution is to put in the hours and practice. While judging schooling shows, I worried many times if I was leaving a good impression with competitors who were trying very hard to show their best. At the Judge's Clinic we had an open session where several long-time judges expressed their regrets over situations where they felt they may have made the wrong call.
What a relief to hear 'We've all done it! We're human! Learn from it, move on and keep judging!' I sat with seven judges last season at five venues in the Ottawa area.
Within the booth, I saw no bias or any negativity towards competitors, ever. I saw eternal hope to be stirred by a great performance, desire to give top marks when possible, and positive guidance carefully written at the bottom of each test. From watching test after test and listening to the process, the mystery of it all melted away and a consistent formula of scoring emerged, a formula built upon experience and discipline.
Every show felt like a clinic, training my eye and teaching me not only how to judge, but also how to become a better trainer, coach and competitor. If you hold any of those roles, or if you have ever considered becoming an official, I strongly encourage you to volunteer some time in the booth this coming season. A seasoned judge is a wealth of knowledge and a very interesting horseman!
Shannon Becvar, Dressage Canada 'r' Judge
EC Level 1 English Coach, Silver Tree Stables, Pembroke ON
The view from the judge’s booth: A Journey in Judging
My name is Shannon Becvar. I'm 36, and moved my farm and horses to Pembroke in 2013 after a decade in Timmins, leaving behind a small but successful teaching and training program, and bringing me closer to family and access to more opportunities. Last year I obtained my Dressage Canada 'r' Judge's card. For myself, the journey to judge came from looking ahead to a season where I wasn't prepared to compete, but I needed to meet people within my new community and develop my skills.
The process to become a judge is laid out in the Rule Book. I had obtained the competition results required to enter the system, and then needed to spend time sitting with experienced judges as a scribe and also as an auditor, watching and discussing with the judge in addition to the scribe. I needed to obtain permission from the show organizers, as well as from the judges, before the shows. Without any hesitation, everyone I contacted welcomed me into the process. I also attended the Judge's Clinic in Palgrave, and while it was intense to score a test in front of Olympic judge Cara Whitham, it was a wonderful opportunity to network with a room full of people who love to watch dressage all day, just like me.
Learning to judge, like learning to ride, is ongoing. Something new always feels goofy at first, and the only solution is to put in the hours and practice. While judging schooling shows, I worried many times if I was leaving a good impression with competitors who were trying very hard to show their best. At the Judge's Clinic we had an open session where several long-time judges expressed their regrets over situations where they felt they may have made the wrong call.
What a relief to hear 'We've all done it! We're human! Learn from it, move on and keep judging!' I sat with seven judges last season at five venues in the Ottawa area.
Within the booth, I saw no bias or any negativity towards competitors, ever. I saw eternal hope to be stirred by a great performance, desire to give top marks when possible, and positive guidance carefully written at the bottom of each test. From watching test after test and listening to the process, the mystery of it all melted away and a consistent formula of scoring emerged, a formula built upon experience and discipline.
Every show felt like a clinic, training my eye and teaching me not only how to judge, but also how to become a better trainer, coach and competitor. If you hold any of those roles, or if you have ever considered becoming an official, I strongly encourage you to volunteer some time in the booth this coming season. A seasoned judge is a wealth of knowledge and a very interesting horseman!
Shannon Becvar, Dressage Canada 'r' Judge
EC Level 1 English Coach, Silver Tree Stables, Pembroke ON
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