ABOUT PENCILLING

It’s very advantageous to do some pencilling if you are thinking of competing. Pencilling is the best way to find out how judges think, and to understand what is important and what is not. It also helps to reduce your nerves when it is your turn to compete, as you then know that it’s not the most important thing in the world. Pencillers are always hard to find – volunteering will help the organising committee, and they will appreciate your assistance.

Guidelines for pencillers

• Be early and find where the test sheets, arena, toilets and canteen are. Check if there have been any changes or scratchings.
• Don’t offer the judge the benefits of your experience.
• Get to know how the judge likes to work. Some say the score first then the comment; sometimes they think and then come back later.
• Sometimes you may have to summarise the judge’s comments.
• If you have missed a score skip it and ask the judge during a lull in the test or at the end. Sometimes the fault is his and he just forgot.
• A horse/rider partnerships will inevitably turn up in the wrong order. Don’t write the names down until you know who they are.
• If the rider makes a mistake, put a star next to that movement.
• Once the final mark has been given, the Collective Marks and Comments remain. Many judges prefer to fill them out themselves.
• From time to time a runner will appear at your window to collect completed tests. Make sure all the sheets are signed.
• Make sure that all tests have been handed over before the judge leaves the grounds.

There are no rules for using particular symbols or abbreviations, just that they must be understandable.

Here are some examples:

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