Judge's comments you have to love

Well.. the hind legs are engaged...
Photo from vichorse.com

In my experience judges usually try to put a positive spin on all but the most disastrous rides.  It is sometimes amusing to see how they score movements that are performed poorly or are not performed at all.

At a show last year, I saw a lovely test marred by an episode where the horse inexplicably threw his head skyward and giraffe-like, blowing through the rider's aids during an upward transition. The rider see-sawed to get some semblance of control. There was nothing redeeming about it. It was ugly.

Afterward
The rider, who was experienced, just smiled and shook her head after the final salute. Later, by the secretary's stand, I saw her laughing with a friend as they read the judge's comments.  A third friend walked up and said "What'd she say? What'd she say?!!!"

She said,  "For the transition at H, the comment was 'Not Dressagey.'"

Love it. Thanks judges, for having a sense of humor.