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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

What's in a Score?

4/27/2013

 
I try to keep my posts original, but now and again I run across stuff written by other people who either say it better than I ever could, or, like today, answer one of my many questions.

I have been troubled by scores lately. I want higher scores like everyone else, but more than that, I need to know what the scores really mean. It is very difficult as a teacher to earn a score that I consider the equivalent of failing. In my classroom, anything less than 80% says you didn't try your best. Truly internalizing (and believing) that 60% is not a failing dressage test score has been very difficult for me. If 60% isn't failing, what is? And if 60% is passing, are all those riders who earn 70%+ scores the equivalent of the Gifted and Talented kids, equestrian geniuses if you will? 

To answer my question, I did some more Googling, which most of the time only yields more confusion than answers. In this case though, I stumbled across an interesting website with some really helpful articles. I am not sure what the site is actually called (Classical Dressage Notebook?) as there is no Home page, but here is a link to the page I am referencing.

Here's what the author, Sue Morris, has to say about scores:

"Firstly, let’s look at what is a good dressage score. As a rule of thumb we can say that:

Adequate - 50+%
Very Good - 60+%
Exceptional - 70+%"


If this is the understood breakdown of test scores, then Speedy G and I are in good shape! I've been under the impression that the hacks (like me) were scoring 60% while the real riders were getting the 70% scores. Very good sounds very good to me!
The author goes on to clarify each mark ...

"The judge scores each movement on the test sheet out of 10 and the standard definitions for these marks are:

10 Excellent------ Very rarely given. It means as good as it gets.

9 Very Good------Not often awarded; you can be very proud when they appear on your score sheet.

8 Good------------ An appropriate level of engagement for the level.

7 Fairly Good------Still a good mark, maybe a minor inaccuracy prevented an 8 being given.

6 Satisfactory----The movement was obedient and accurate, marred by outline, perhaps.

5 Sufficient--------Horse did what he should, but maybe lacking engagement or on the forehand.

4 Insufficient-----A serious inaccuracy occurred; counter bent; rough transition; head tossing.

3 Fairly Bad-------A serious problem occurred; lack of control, very late or fluffed transitions.

2 Bad---------------Now we’re talking severe disobedience; bucking; rearing; napping.

1 Very Bad---------The horse must have bolted through the movement to receive this!

0 Not Performed---Self explanatory. Horse didn’t perform any of the required movement e.g. failing to strike off in left canter and continuing on in trot."


While I have seen the scores explained before, I even have a chart here, I've never seen further comments like these. These seem right on the mark and offer more clarification. After reading this, my goal of eliminating 5s on my score sheet seems like a good one. 

It appears as if the score of 5 is where the comments begin to take on a negative quality. So it makes sense that scores in the 50 - 59% range would be considered only marginally adequate. If it is at the 6s where the positive properties begin, then 60%+ would be considered "passing." The higher your score, of course, the more passing it becomes. If 60% scores are very good, then it does ring true that scores of 70% and higher are exceptional.

This relieves some of my personal angst over my recent run of 60%+ scores. My scores in the high 50s have always felt disappointing. The problem is that my scores in the 60s haven't felt successful either. I couldn't understand how both USDF and CDS could use 60% as a baseline for awards and recognition programs if it was a failing or marginal grade. I feel much better about those 60%+ scores now. I can live with very good.

Sue Morris (read about her here)
Stephanie H. link
4/27/2013 01:37:54 am

I like to look at dressage scores like you look at a child on a growth chart. 50% means that the child (or rider) is right smack dab in the middle of being average,60% means they are better than average, etc! So 60% or better means that you're doing great! (You're doing better than 60% of other riders)

Karen
4/27/2013 07:34:35 am

I wish it felt like it! :0)

Heather J. Wietzel
4/27/2013 04:14:18 am

In my opinion, dressage scores are better compared with those given for other athletic endeavors such as figure skating. While the best of the best, may get a "10", it is in fact meant to be a nearly unobtainable level.

Karen
4/27/2013 07:36:41 am

I definitely see that dressage is scored like diving or figure skating, but it sure seems as though "the best" are getting closer and closer to those "unobtainable" 10s. It's hard to see my little pile of 6s and 7s next to the 9s and 10s of the Hildas and Steffens of the world.:0)

Amy
4/27/2013 01:45:21 pm

You are not a hack! Stop saying that :)

Karen
4/27/2013 11:05:35 pm

Aw ... thanks! :0)

Lauren link
4/27/2013 02:19:57 pm

You're definitely not a hack! 60% is something to be proud of.

Karen
4/27/2013 11:09:04 pm

Thank you, Lauren. I am always telling my husband about my many "friends" across the blogosphere. I may not have actually met all of you, but it's great to have such supportive people in my court. :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I 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.
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    ​Speedy 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.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
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