Beginners Guide to Scribing

Beginners Guide to Pencilling.

Pencilling is the art of writing down the scores and comments of Judges at Dressage Events.

It is sometimes called ‘Scribing’ to lend it a measure of respectability. In Australia it is always called pencilling as with our convict heritage it seems more appropriate, and is almost always conducted from the passenger seat of a ‘4 wheel drive’ or SUV, often in less than commodious conditions. The ‘4 wheel drive’ will be parked in the fiercest of the elements, often in searing heat, with no air conditioning available, and will have been previously used to carry a large number of wet dogs, ( or sheep) depending on your area. The windows will be wound up to prevent the onlookers catching the occasional slanderous asides from the Judge. As a penciller you will be either a keen follower of the sport eager to do your bit for the good of the game, in which case you have only yourself to blame, or more probably a husband / boyfriend – most Judges are women - in which case this guide is meant for you.

1) Get there early and find where the test sheets/ arena/ toilets and canteen are.

2) Take lots of pencils (and backup pens, reading glasses and a clip board)

3) Take some sweets (lollies, candy) especially the type that promotes fresh breath, (either or both of you may need it.) Also take plenty of water / tea etc. You will not be in walking distance of civilization.

4) Sometimes, at large events, you are out in the elements. If so take sunscreen, a hat, fly repellent, hot weather clothes, wet weather clothes, windcheaters, etc . Also a Navy Jacket is a plus as you can be under the full scrutiny of the audience who occasionally may glance in your direction to see what kind of Judge could give a score like that.

5) Have a brief look at the test. Try and memorise a few of the movements (for example the horse doing a circle, or running diagonally across the arena. This will give you a rough idea of just how far behind the actual movement your Judges’ comments are, and help prevent you adding the comment “ not square” to the pirouette.

6) Get to know how the Judge likes to work. Do they say the score first then the comment? Will they always give a comment or at least tell you there is no comment so you don’t get out of order? Do they leave out movements occasionally while they have a think, and then come back later and expect you to have the correct row still free? Do they give the movement number when giving the mark? Are all their comments to be recorded or just the ones suitable for a family audience? All these things will be useful to know.

The only discussion time will be before the tests start. (In the intermissions the Judge will be off to the loo due the consumption of the water / tea, etc)

7) The horse/rider partnerships will inevitably turn up in the wrong order. “my name's Sandy and I was meant to be here 15 minutes ago, but ‘Pluggo’ here wouldn’t get out of the float” ( horsebox). Do not write the names of the competitors on the test sheet till you know who they are and that they have actually arrived ( unless you have plenty of test sheets and don’t mind throwing half of them away)

8) When giving the test sheet to the Judge for their overall comments ( which they seem to write themselves - to show up your stressed handwriting ), always point out which movements they have missed completely and which comments you are in doubt as to their correct position. You should not speak whilst the test is in progress even when it is patently obvious your Judge has completely fallen off the track.

9) From time to time a “runner” will appear at your window to collect completed scores ( so the competitors can go home early ). Make sure the sheets are signed and complete before handing them over to avoid repercussions. Some Judges like to know when sheets are out of their control ( “did I mention that Pluggo was lame ?”, etc)

10) It is permissible, and often unavoidable, to use obscure symbols and notations. For example not square is written as “not”, then a drawing of a box. Feel free to improvise. Maybe a box with a cross through it? ‘Above the bit’ is usually an up arrow followed by the word bit. You will find your Judge will have some favourite saying that is repeated in every test (often every second line). Try to find a shorthand version for this. Any abbreviations should be intelligible. To introduce some measure of order you will find that at some competitions you are issued with a list of recommended abbreviations ( a sort of Dressage Rosetta stone - sometimes a bit like this one - Scribing Symbols ) . This can be helpful to all and should be followed if possible.

11) During the Tests practice the exercises recommended by the airlines for DVT. You will find ‘pencilling’ is like a medium haul flight without the jetlag.