That Rider Mark

The monotonous mark of six has plagued many a dressage rider. National A Level Judge NICOLE TOUGH shares some insights on changing that trend. - As seen in Equest Hub Magazine

Proof that patience and perseverance pay off, Nicole and Everdeen were Open Elementary Champions in the 2025 Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships last month. (Images by Sue Crockett Photography)

The collective marks given at the end of our National dressage tests reflect the judges’ overall impression of the performance. These marks, which include paces, impulsion, submission, and a score for the rider, are crucial because they can significantly contribute to the overall score and may even break a tie.

If your riding mark is a monotonous six, you’ve probably wondered what you need to do to achieve a better mark, or perhaps even how the judges arrive at that score.

As stated on the test paper, the rider mark is awarded for our position and seat, and the correctness and effective use of the aids. Judges look for a correct position with a well-balanced rider sitting tall and deep in the centre of the saddle, seemingly absorbing the movements of the horse, with steady legs stretched down and the heel at the lowest point. The hips should be supple and the torso engaged with a straight line from shoulder to hip to heel. The rein contact remains independent of the rider’s seat, with steady hands, thumbs uppermost, and a straight line from the elbow, through the forearm to the horse’s mouth.

The effectiveness of the rider’s aids is demonstrated in the fulfilment of the test movements, with an overall uniformity between horse and rider. To earn a mark of eight or higher, judges look for an impression of harmony and understanding; with imperceptible aids and movements and transitions performed without apparent effort (and yes, facial expressions count!). Meanwhile the horse should move through the pattern of the test with willing co-operation, staying in balance and self-carriage, showing no hesitation to any aid, and with no difference in suppleness from one side to the other.

To earn a mark of seven, judges want to see a rider in balance with correct seat position, able to direct an obedient horse, showing no negative tension, and with very little stiffness and/or crookedness to either side. While there may have been some slight misunderstandings in one or two movements, for most of the test the horse has shown no hesitation to the aids, although there is room for the rider’s aids to be more effective.

To earn that repetitious six, the judges have noticed that the rider could influence their horse in a more improved way, or that their aids are exaggerated. There is a lack of accuracy and the rider might fail to satisfactorily produce some of the main exercises of the test.

A six is also given if the rider seems to be ineffective in the execution of some movements. For example, there may be a problem sitting in medium trot, incorrect weight distribution in pirouettes or half-passes, exaggerated flying change aids, or a dominating curb rein or loose outside rein on circles and/or through lateral work. Poor marks should only be given if the rider disturbs the horse consistently, or if the rider is unable to present most of the movements of the test in a satisfactory way.

And what exactly is meant by an independent seat? In riding we have our leg, rein, and seat aids, and in addition to working together, they must also work independently. The rein aids are used to manage the frame of the horse, the leg aids are used for acceleration, and the seat aids are used for regulating the speed and assisting our horse to remain in balance. All three aids are used together for half-halts, and for increasing and decreasing the paces, transitions and turning.

Co-ordinating the aids effectively with the horse's movements requires postural strength, flexibility, and balance. In a simple transition from walk to trot, for example, the rider gives the cue for the horse to trot. If we let our rein aids go, we are praying the horse remains in the same frame; and if we relax our seat aids, the horse will roll on in walk before it trots, and the transition will lack the push, carry and precision the judges are assessing, thereby scoring the monotonous six.

Dressage is not an easy sport. Being effective on a 500kg plus animal with strong social and flight instincts through a pattern of movements while appearing not to do anything is not a walk in the park. Riders must be able to identify and manage tension in themselves and their horse, as it can negatively impact our performance. And remember, our sport is negatively geared. Even if you are getting eights, the judges are telling you why they can’t give you a 10.

As dressage riders we need to accept that dressage training is both routine and different with every ride: what comes easy won’t last, and what lasts doesn’t come easy. We make easy happen through hard work and learning. Confucious say: “all good things are difficult to achieve”.

The best thing about our sport is that with patience and perseverance, a dash of luck, and a plan that we put into action every day, our goals can be attained.

Proof that patience and perserverence pay off, Nicole and Everdeen were Open Elementary Champions in the 2025 Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships last month. (Images by Sue Crockett Photography)