Dressage Scores Explained

5/7/2012

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
I had my first dressage schooling show this weekend, we had a score of 65, I had three 8 's and mostly 7's a few 6 and 2 fives. Intro b,our canter is not quite ready yet for upper levels, I agree with you, anything below a c average is un acceptable but in the dressage world it's time to move on when you you hit 60's consistently .... I don't understand the coeffcient marks and how they play in, they were all 7 and 8's but not sure how they play into a total score.. Maybe you can explain..
Best Lori

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.

If you had a 65% at intro B, Intro C should be cake too!

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
66 is rly good for me

Bakersfield Dressage link

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.

That's all on Speedy of course. He's not a brilliant or gifted mover. Some horses can get 70% without even trying. I've learned what type of scores we can get. It's not reasonable for me to wait around for 70%. Even though we have earned those scores, they're not easy for us.

The little 1 in a circle was most likely your placing. :0)

L. Williams link

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.
But your posts make me feel like we are where we need to be and keep working on it 😊

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)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage