Ride A Test

The Bakersfield area chapter of CDS, Kern River Dressage, is organizing a Ride-a-Test day for this coming Saturday.  I signed up.  I've never participated in a Ride-a-Test, but from what I gather, you show up, pay your fee, ride the test and a "judge" scores the test.  It's not a show or even a schooling show.  I think it's schooling for a schooling show.  I am just using it as an opportunity to take Sydney on a field trip.  He and I aren't ready to show, but we do need to start taking field trips so that I can see how he'll handle traveling to a real show. 

The judge that Kern River will be using is Mary Meyer.  Mary is a USDF "L Graduate".  I've looked up the judges' levels before, but I needed some reminding.  Here's what I found on the USDF website.

The “L” program offers a comprehensive curriculum created to teach participants and auditors how to evaluate dressage performance at Training through Second Level.

Those who graduate from the USDF “L” Program are known as an “L graduate”. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), as the national governing body of equestrian sports, licenses all judges. USDF only administers the “L” Program, which, if completed with the required scores, will allow you to apply to USEF for the ‘r’ Judges Training Program to become a licensed judge. Those who pass the “L” program final exam are known as “L Graduates”, not as L Judges.

On average, the cost for the entire program ranges from $2000 -$2500, not including transportation or lodging expenses.

Mary has dedicated a chunk of her time and money to participate in the "L" Program.  Hopefully this "judging" opportunity will give her the chance to test what she has learned.  I hope she finds it to be a valuable experience.

And I know many of you are wondering what has happened to my show videos and test sheets.  They're coming, I promise.  I hope to work on them this evening and get at least one test and video ready for tomorrow.