Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
As a teacher, it is hard for me to be happy with a score of 66%. In academia, 66% is a D+. A 70% isn't much better as its a C-. I've had a hard time explaining to my grade savvy 5th graders that any score in a dressage test over 60% is consider by many to be a solid score and is actually worth celebrating. They don't buy it. They know that the As are in the 90% range and that Bs are scores in the 80s. Anything below 70% is failing. So how can a 64% be considered a winning score? They smile and congratulate me, but then they give me a quizzical look with one eyebrow cocked as if in, uh-huh. Sure. Whatever you say, Mrs. Sweaney. I am kind of in their camp on this one.
In any case, the scores are the way they are. I've only had a couple of 4s, for canter transition, and thankfully, nothing lower although I can see how it could happen. Lately I've been earning quite a few 6s and 7s with those irritating 5s having taken a bit of a back seat. Lovely 8 shows its head occasionally, but the 9 and 10 have remained in hiding. How common are they anyway? Here is the description that goes with each numerical score. 0 – Not Executed 1 – Very Bad 2 – Bad 3 – Fairly Bad 4 – Insufficient 5 - Sufficient 6 – Satisfactory 7 – Fairly good 8 – Good 9 – Very Good 10 - Excellent For the Training Level test 1, if a rider were to score a 6 on every single movement, including those with coefficients of 2 as well as for the collective marks, the overall score would be 144 points earned out of 240 maximum points. What would the percentage be? Why, 60%! It would be considered a Satisfactory ride. For the very same test, if a rider were to score a 7 for each movement, the points earned would total 168 out of the same maximum of 240 points. What would the percentage be? Yup. 70%, a Fairly Good ride. I can't even imagine riding so well as to score an 80%, an average of an 8 for every movement? Pretty impressive. Watch out 10! You're on my list!
Lori
5/7/2012 11:42:32 am
Hi Karen
Karen
5/7/2012 11:54:41 am
Congratulations, Lori! Those are great scores! The coefficient just tells how many times that score is counted. For example, if the movement has a coefficient of 2, the mark is counted twice. This is good if you get a get score, but it lowers your average if you score low.
Bella
8/7/2018 11:21:50 am
Hi! I got a 66.250 percent on my test C back in 2015. I was in championships- is that good score for championships? Because on my test there’s a 1 with a circle around it... does that mean very bad...? I 8/8/2018 06:40:53 am
Bella, it has been six years since I wrote this post, and I have learned a ton! I would kill for a 66% right now. LOL The way I look at scores now, 60% means I am in the right level. Higher than 65% means I am probably ready for the next level. 70% means I am DEFINITELY ready to move on. 3/11/2016 03:27:29 pm
Found this post from a google search as I have a hard time wrapping my brain around %'s and dressage scoring. Thank you! Good post :)
Ameya Grice
11/18/2019 09:03:39 pm
Good thread to read thanks 😊 I took my very green horse to an entry level test and scored 55% which I don't think was unfair I was just really pleased that my horse didn't buck or spook. Unfortunately all the comments were negative which was quite disheartening when it was obviously a very green horse. Would have been nice to get some comments on what we did right. 11/23/2019 06:31:04 am
I am not sure where I read this, but the judge is required to make a comment on any score lower than a 7. Since scores below 7 are not great, especially 4s and 5s, the comments will describe what went wrong, so those will typically be negative. There just isn't time for the judge and scribe to write a positive comment during the test. It's in the judge's "further remarks" that you'll get your positive comments. :0) Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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