My scribing journey begins
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- Greenie
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My scribing journey begins
The On the Levels DVDs are here.
How would you go about teaching yourself to scribe?
How many levels should I learn?
Would you suggest watching the Dvd with the test in hand until I learn what is expected on each test and then worry about scribing them?
What about abbreviations? I found a couple of sites that suggested I learn abbreviations. What if the rider is not familiar with the abbreviations I use?
There are a few shows left of the season and I was thinking of asking to scribe unofficially until I was confident.
When I get nervous my penmanship gets messy and my spelling can suck.
How would you go about teaching yourself to scribe?
How many levels should I learn?
Would you suggest watching the Dvd with the test in hand until I learn what is expected on each test and then worry about scribing them?
What about abbreviations? I found a couple of sites that suggested I learn abbreviations. What if the rider is not familiar with the abbreviations I use?
There are a few shows left of the season and I was thinking of asking to scribe unofficially until I was confident.
When I get nervous my penmanship gets messy and my spelling can suck.
Re: My scribing journey begins
I started out scribing at the schooling shows that our club puts on. Tell the judge you are new to scribing; he/she will explain whether they say the score or the remarks first for each movement.
USDF Guide for Scribes has its list of preferred abbreviations and more suggestions for getting started, worded better than I can. I never memorized all the tests, maybe be aware of when several movements come quickly in succession . You just need to keep up with the judge's remarks and scores and look up occasionally to see that you are on the right movement. I would start with Intro, Training, and First Levels until you get comfortable. The higher the level, the faster the movements come up.
More info here https://www.usdf.org/search/results.asp ... 1&q=scribe
I learned so much by scribing, but arthritis in my hands prevents me from doing it any more.
USDF Guide for Scribes has its list of preferred abbreviations and more suggestions for getting started, worded better than I can. I never memorized all the tests, maybe be aware of when several movements come quickly in succession . You just need to keep up with the judge's remarks and scores and look up occasionally to see that you are on the right movement. I would start with Intro, Training, and First Levels until you get comfortable. The higher the level, the faster the movements come up.
More info here https://www.usdf.org/search/results.asp ... 1&q=scribe
I learned so much by scribing, but arthritis in my hands prevents me from doing it any more.
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- Bringing Life to the DDBB
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Re: My scribing journey begins
Start with a schooling show. The judge will gave you her/his preferred shorthand.
Re: My scribing journey begins
You learn pretty quickly by going to a competition and scribing. It's not that hard. Try for lower level tests to start with, as the higher level tests are a lot faster so you are head down the whole time to keep up. I don't learn the tests, I do a quick read through before the class starts.
I tend to keep one finger or my thumb on my non writing hand following each movement, so if the judge gets behind or lost (can happen!) you can quickly say the number the movement you are up to is. Also, I always make sure I write the mark down immediately, even if it's in the middle of writing comments, because thats the most important thing to write.
The list of abbreviations is helpful. But seriously after a few tests you'll have the hang of it. Find a pen you like using and take that (and a spare).
I tend to keep one finger or my thumb on my non writing hand following each movement, so if the judge gets behind or lost (can happen!) you can quickly say the number the movement you are up to is. Also, I always make sure I write the mark down immediately, even if it's in the middle of writing comments, because thats the most important thing to write.
The list of abbreviations is helpful. But seriously after a few tests you'll have the hang of it. Find a pen you like using and take that (and a spare).
Re: My scribing journey begins
Have you ridden competitively? I found learning test, and then reading my comments (by the scribe and judge) were helpful to keep in mind once I started scribing. I had seen many of the various abbreviations - 1/4s for 'hindquarters' O to denote a circle (ditto a square for 'square halt'). I agree with Flight about keeping track of the movement and occasionally reminding the judge for a missing mark. Sitting in with a Judge and Scribe to hear how the comments are passed along can be very helpful. It's a fun way to be involved. Good luck.
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Re: My scribing journey begins
I started at schooling shows doing the lower level tests where things happen slowly. The judge will help. The abbreviations in the USDF Guide are a great help, but not necessary at the lower levels. As has been stated, ALWAYS get the mark/number. If you miss the text, the judge can usually help after the test is ridden. Start low and slow. Intro, then Training Level. Good luck, it's fun and you'll learn a bunch!
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Re: My scribing journey begins
Good luck on scribing and as all have said, it isn't hard and it is fun.
Yes, start with the lower levels. Bring your own writing implements (in the event the show provided pens are not what you like ). Talk with the judge before hand to find out what they expect you to capture and if they want to add their own comments (I scribed for a few judges that would want to write their own comments on the sheet).
To me, a bit frustrating as I couldn't really watch much of the test as I was writing... sigh. (I am also not the world's fastest writer so that didn't help).
The most fun I had scribing was for a dressage judge at a combined driving test. The test "speed" is slower as you are judging a horse+cart so ring is larger and they mostly walk and trot, with very little, if any, canter. The judge was awesome and let me ask questions so I had a chance to learn about some of the differences between ridden and driven dressage (he did both, I did only the former). An example was the 'halt at X'... exactly what part of the horse+cart is on 'X' . By the end of the afternoon, we'd watch the test and he'd often ask how and why I'd score a particular movement and we'd talk about why he would score it the way he did. I am more than sure that nothing I said influenced his decision but I think he was looking to see if I was learning. It was cold and wet and the best time scribing I ever had
Yes, start with the lower levels. Bring your own writing implements (in the event the show provided pens are not what you like ). Talk with the judge before hand to find out what they expect you to capture and if they want to add their own comments (I scribed for a few judges that would want to write their own comments on the sheet).
To me, a bit frustrating as I couldn't really watch much of the test as I was writing... sigh. (I am also not the world's fastest writer so that didn't help).
The most fun I had scribing was for a dressage judge at a combined driving test. The test "speed" is slower as you are judging a horse+cart so ring is larger and they mostly walk and trot, with very little, if any, canter. The judge was awesome and let me ask questions so I had a chance to learn about some of the differences between ridden and driven dressage (he did both, I did only the former). An example was the 'halt at X'... exactly what part of the horse+cart is on 'X' . By the end of the afternoon, we'd watch the test and he'd often ask how and why I'd score a particular movement and we'd talk about why he would score it the way he did. I am more than sure that nothing I said influenced his decision but I think he was looking to see if I was learning. It was cold and wet and the best time scribing I ever had
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- Greenie
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- Location: Central Valley California
Re: My scribing journey begins
Would one of you post a copy of your test so I can see what another scribe's work looks like? I do not need a name, just how they do it.
Thanks
Thanks
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Re: My scribing journey begins
Remember any movement 7 or above doesn't require a remark, so there are times when, like with the above test, you won't have to write anything.
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- Greenie
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Wed May 31, 2017 2:46 am
- Location: Central Valley California
Re: My scribing journey begins
Thank you, Flight.
That is nothing compared to what I was scribing. I swear I was writing a lot more for each box.
I do not know if it had anything to do with scribing for someone going through the L program or not, but wow, I could scribe the example no problem.
I am so glad I asked for an example.
That is nothing compared to what I was scribing. I swear I was writing a lot more for each box.
I do not know if it had anything to do with scribing for someone going through the L program or not, but wow, I could scribe the example no problem.
I am so glad I asked for an example.
Re: My scribing journey begins
Some judges are much more verbose than others!
Re: My scribing journey begins
That was my test from yesterday, but I also pencilled for a couple of hours with a judge who had much longer comments! I struggled to fit them in some of the boxes.
One penciller had really good abbreviations, one's that I don't necessarily know but I could understand easily. I'll be using them next time:
One penciller had really good abbreviations, one's that I don't necessarily know but I could understand easily. I'll be using them next time:
Re: My scribing journey begins
So helpful Flight, and great rides!
Re: My scribing journey begins
I would agree with the suggestion of starting at a schooling show, because they are mostly for the lower levels. Most recognized shows don't have two scribes per judge. They don't have one for the lower levels and one for the upper levels. Though some larger shows might have more than one ring with a separation of upper level and lower level. I used to scribe a lot, but that was quite awhile ago. Some judges are easier to scribe for than others. Many do not follow their own instructions, i.e. giving the score first. This can mess up the scoring, and when this mistake happens it is never the judges fault. When you work with a consistent methodical judge, it is easy. Memorize the USDF abbreviations. Don't speak to the judge when they are counting changes! When i first started scribing, I worked with a judge that would fall asleep! She retired many years ago. I think the most fun volunteer job is to be ring steward.
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