Looking For Good

Looks like Canada's Wonderland!.....right? Ottawa Dressage Festival May 2014

Folks who love to watch dressage all day are hard to find within the general population.  This year I am working towards obtaining my first Judge's card and a crazy schedule (that I made for myself back in January) of weekends away to sit with experienced judges to learn the craft, is in full swing.

June 7-8 was the big Judge's Clinic at the famous showground in Palgrave, Ontario.  There was a tent full of us, of all ages and backgrounds, all obsessed with this sport, all weekend.  

Exciting!....right? Cornerstone Dressage Show June 2014

One by one we stepped up to attempt to judge a test out loud and be grilled by one of Canada's rare Olympic-level judges, Cara Whitham, and to stand up to the scrutiny of eachother.  It was one of those experiences that I will remember and draw upon the next time I face a challenge.  "My" horse and rider were one of the best of the day, and I was lucky to be able to explore giving high marks and noting the quality, rather than the difficult task of pinning down the fundamental issues of a more mediocre performance.  A quick "Good! Good girl!" from Cara when I finished my turn was worth a gold bar to me.

I thought I might finally be 'dressaged out' by now, and maybe I was for a short while.  Judges sit alone for long days, put in a huge effort to watch and score everything carefully, and they must remain unbiased in every way for every performance.  It's a serious job and a privilege for a select few.  Last night on the drive home I saw a cow frolicking in a field and said to myself "Hmm.  Unclear rhythm, needs to cover more ground...I give it a 4."

Maybe I'll get the hang of this.