Judges Seminar
The CCDA held another judge's clinic in September with Gisela Nilsson-Harding, International candidate & A level judge.
In the morning we started with a power point presentation & international videos showing many movements throughout the tests up to Medium Level. Gisela would ask us to judge the movements & discuss the differences between each of the horses.
This was a wonderful day not only for new judges but riders looking to gain better results from their future competitions.
Gisela explained what judges are looking for in the tests, how the riders could prepare for the transitions & ride a better technical designed test. In the afternoon we had 7 demonstration horses from Preliminary to Medium/Advanced. Gisela went through each of the lower tests with the new movements that are now required. Each of the riders were asked to perform these new movements with the judges & spectators judging each horse. Gisela would then give her own marks & comments on the movement, she would often have the rider go through the same movement again & try to gain a better result.
Gisela's friendly & enthusiastic attitude towards everyone made it so easy for us to ask any question on something they may not have understood. I know everyone that attended did enjoy their day & all commented how much they had learned.
It was a great day although disappointing that there could have been more people attend.I would like to thank all the riders. It's not easy to have so many people make comments about their horses, but each rider gained greater knowledge from having ridden with Gisela & getting some help. The riders were Brianna Cartwright, Peter Fisher, Nila Latimer, Kate Rickards, Claire Heenan, Dallas Sharvell & myself.
We will be holding another seminar next April on a Saturday with lessons/protocol day on the Sunday.
Michel Oakley
