Judging goes high

JUDGE DEVELOPMENT GOES HIGH TECH

BRITISH DRESSAGE HAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW JUDGE EDUCATION SYSTEM WITH AN ONLINE ASSESSMENT, DESIGNED TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE EXPENSES AND OFFER CLEARLY DEFINED CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT IN ORDER TO AID JUDGES’ PROGRESSION AND DEVELOPMENT.

The programme is the fi nal element in an extensive update of the system which will help judges to develop their skills more eff ectively alongside a busy working life or a career outside the industry.

Training and education manager Charlotte sborne explains Training and education manager Charlotte sborne explains

“Historically, the type of training was inconsistent “Historically, the type of training was inconsistent across the country, and arranging assessment across the country, and arranging assessment could be costly and challenging. We wanted could be costly and challenging. We wanted to fi nd a system that could combine CPD to fi nd a system that could combine CPD and online training and assessment in a and online training and assessment in a way that could be accessed anywhere, way that could be accessed anywhere, even abroad.”

The training programme was extensively overhauled, including upskilling the judge education workforce, Charlotte explains.

“BD subsidised 50 of the training costs for tutor judges and judge educators, leading to a professional ualifi cation in tutoring and assessing, in order to address feedback from judges who felt that the previous system didn’t necessarily meet their individual didn’t necessarily meet their individual development needs.”

Candidates register to become Trainee Candidates register to become Trainee judges and then take part in an induction judges and then take part in an induction session. They can then decide whether to remain session. They can then decide whether to remain a trainee by attending an annual seminar, or register to a trainee by attending an annual seminar, or register to the Judge Education system and become listed by undertaking an assessment at the appropriate level.

Training and workshops for both Technical (relating to paces, way of going etc) and on Technical (aspects such as responsibilities as a judge and off ering guidance to competitors on how to improve etc) must be attended before assessment. Technical training includes workshops and observing training are also part of the training modules. A portfolio is provided in hard copy or online format to enable candidates to record evidence of completing the modules and track their progress. “We’ve used feedback from competitors to help develop non technical training,” comments Charlotte. “Working towards safer sport and high standards of horse and rider welfare was not included previously. Judges hold an important position in the sport and we must ensure they are well prepared. smaller a maximum of 0 people so that the judge educators can tailor sessions and support individuals,” Charlotte explains. “There are also lots of checking points throughout the process so tutors can off er extra support to help complete each module.” During the upgrading of the training system and the switch to online training during the pandemic, it

seminars which comprise D D sessions to discuss tests as well as with live horses. on technical workshops can be attended online or in person.

Self directed activities sitting in, writing, practice judging and observing training are also part of the training modules. A portfolio is provided in hard copy or online format to enable candidates to record evidence of completing the modules and track their progress. “We’ve used feedback from competitors to help develop non technical training,” comments Charlotte. “Working towards safer sport and high standards of horse and rider welfare was not included previously. Judges hold an important position in the sport and we must ensure they are well prepared. “Training groups are now smaller a maximum of 0 people so that the judge educators can tailor sessions and support individuals,” Charlotte explains. “There are also lots of checking points throughout the process so tutors can off er extra support to help complete each module.” During the upgrading of the training system and the switch to online training during the pandemic, it became clear that there could be great value from using technology for the fi nal assessment, delivered via dressage software solution specialist Black Horse ne.

The new online format will enable candidates to sit their assessments at home and will involve the judging of complete tests in the same way as in a live competition using the Black Horse ne judging software.

All candidates at the level will judge the same horses, and from the same perspective, as the master judges setting the marks.

Charlotte explains: “This platform gives detailed analysis of the candidate’s performance score by score rather than on a horse by horse basis as previously, so they will get clear feedback on their stronger and weaker areas.”

The assessment involves the candidate and their writer logging into a Zoom call (where they will connect with the invigilator) and judging 11 tests (including a practice test) in two and a half hours via the Black Horse One dashboard, with the judge viewing the test video and the writer completing the test sheet on separate devices.

Judges will have completed three practise tests to familiarise themselves with the process and the dashboard before coming forward for assessment.

BD has produced a series of tutorials in different formats to help candidates use the new system and regional Black Horse One champions will be available to help people who need more guidance at local level.

Extensive trials have included conducting live pilots with demo testers, along with using data sets from previous assessments to pressure test the new system, Charlotte explains. “When Covid led to the cancellation of the assessments in 2020, we had 120 candidates ready to take their assessments and after the extensive piloting, this was the best way to support them.”

The technology, she adds, gives much more thorough analysis of detail such as whether judges are within close range of the master judge for individual horses and if serious mistakes, such as not spotting a late change behind, are made.

“THE USE OF JUDGING TECHNOLOGY IS BECOMING MORE COMMONPLACE, WITH MANY BENEFITS FOR ORGANISERS, COMPETITORS AND SPECTATORS...”

“Assessments are cumulative, and all factors are considered, if there is a weakness it doesn’t mean the candidate automatically fails.”

Technology has become part of everyday life, she points out, and the new system brings dressage right up to date: “The use of judging technology is becoming more commonplace, with many benefits for organisers, competitors and spectators, but many judges are nervous about it. Getting used to working with an online platform for training and assessments will help with familiarisation. Paperless judging also makes environmental sense, and in 10 years’ time all judging may be done on iPads.”

ABOVE RIGHT: SARAH KINGWELLS HAS FOUND THE NEW JUDGE ASSESSMENT SCHEME TO OFFER IMPROVED FEEDBACK AND TO BE EASIER TO FIT IN WITH HER TEACHING AND RIDING CAREER. LEFT: TRAINEE JUDGES WILL STILL SPEND PLENTY OF TIME PRACTICE JUDGING, ‘SITTING IN’ AND OBSERVING TRAINING, WHILE NON-TECHNICAL TRAINING HAS ALSO BEEN REFINED.

CASE STUDY

List 2a judge Sarah Kingwells, who combines her role with teaching and riding, was one of the first to sit the new assessment.

“I became a judge to enhance my teaching and riding but also to put something back into the sport. Through the training and assessment you learn so much, and the new system can only further that,” she comments.

Sarah undertook online training during the pandemic and quickly saw its benefits. e were in smaller groups, so it was easy to stop and start a test and to discuss what we were seeing. Tutor judges can pick up any issues that you are having at any stage and address them before that module is signed off, so you can be confident that you are ready for the next step.

“The assessment was much more in depth and there was better feedback – every mark and comment is compared to that of the master judge, and you get so much more detail on how you have performed.” ith a friend as her writer, arah did the assessment at home, and comments that although she is not ‘techy’, she was able to work her way through it.

“I’d already done an online seminar, so although there was a tutorial available, I didn’t feel that I needed it. You do need to practice judging on a screen, but you are still judging the test as you would a live competition and the quality of the image is very good.”

She adds: “In the previous system I would have needed to drive from my home in Preston to ellington Riding, which is four and a half hours away, and my writer would have had to take a day off work, so it was also easier and more convenient.

However, live training is still very much part of the process, Sarah points out: “You still need to do sitting in and observing training, but the new system is based around smaller groups rather than large seminars, so there’s more opportunity to get involved, rather than feel embarrassed to ask a ‘silly’ question in front of a lot of people. It meant that I felt ready for the assessment and more confident, and I m already looking forward to upgrading to list one.”