Logging in
Before the Dressage begins you will receive a tablet and a 6 digit PIN which is unique to the event and your role as a Dressage Judge and penciller. Use this PIN to log in. If you need to swap to a different device you can log back in using your PIN.
Class Selection
This screen shows all of the dressage classes you will be judging for this event and the time they are scheduled to start and finish.
The first thing the Judge will need to do is set up the signature in the text field. This signature will then be automatically added to the bottom of every test when you "save" each test. Try to keep your signature inside the box. If you are un-happy with your first attempt dont worry, touch the recycle symbol and the box will be cleared and you can try again. When you are happy with your signature touch Save signature.
To commence your first class touch on the first row.
Options
A left hander may find it easier to write with the stylus if the comment fields are on the left of the screen. The penciller and/or the judge may be setup to be left handed.
Where a tablet has an external keyboard there are two options for entering marks via the keyboard. The default method uses the number keys. To enter a half mark you hold the shift and select the number. This method has a restriction that you cannot add comments with numbers or the special symbols above the number such as @ * and others. Select Functions Keys to use the function keys to enter marks. Note: On many keyboards you will need to select the Fn key at the same time as the function key. For half marks you will need to select Fn and Shift and the function key.
Class List
The class list will show all riders competing in this class as well as the time they are scheduled to ride and their status so you can easily keep track of the class.
Riders who have been scratched will have a status of Scratched.
When a rider is ready to begin their test touch the rider's name. This will take you through to the test sheet screen which is an accurate representation of the paper dressage test.
Marking a rider's test
When the rider completes a movement you can touch the screen on that movement and it will bring up a selection of available marks. e.g 5, 5.5, 6 etc. When you touch the mark you wish to give, it will be added to the dressage test in the Judges Marks column. If the judge changes their mind or you touch the wrong mark, then you may simply touch the new mark to change it. To remove a mark, touch the currently selected mark.
If you are using an external keyboard, you can move from one movement to the next using the tab key. To move to the previous movement use shift tab. To enter marks from the keyboard, the tablet will be setup to work with either the number keys or the function keys. See options above for setup. Half marks require holding the shift key down whilst select the key for the mark.
How to write a comment
You can provide a comment by touching the remarks field on the right. Comments can be added using the stylus like a pen.
You can select the writing mode at any time by selecting the "pencil" icon
How to Type a comment
You can change to Text mode by selecting the "A" icon and then you can use the keyboard.
You can select each letter by typing with your fingers or by using the stylus as a pointer.
How to erase a comment
If you are not happy with the comment you can touch the "recycle" icon to clear the comment field.How to use the write to text function
You may also use the stylus to text feature. Firstly enter typing mode by touching the A icon. The keyboard will be displayed, then touch the T icon on the top of the keyboard. This will remove the keys and allow you to write in this box. Write your comments using the stylus and when you pause writing the tablet will automatically convert your writing into text. If the wrong word is entered you may touch the word and a list of suggestions will appear at the top of the keyboard.
Errors of Course
If a rider commits an error of course you can add this to the test by touching the plus icon next to EOC.
The EOC buttons appear under the strip of marks.
If a rider commits a 2nd error of course on the same movement you can press it again to increase the number of errors. If you apply too many errors you can remove the errors by touching the minus icon next to EOC.
The errors of course for a movement will appear as a highlighted number next to the movement number to the very left of the screen.
The EOC strip under the Marks strip will indicate the total number of errors for the test so far
Marking collectives
The collective marks have 1 combined comment box for all the "collective" marks.
Some judges prefer the larger space to write their comments.
If you want to write a comment for each separate collective you can achieve that easily by writing with the stylus. Or if you prefer the typing option you can start each collective on a new line or add a blank line between comments.
The final score and percentage will only appear at the bottom of the test once the test has been signed off.
Eliminations
It is unusual for a rider to be eliminated in dressage but there are lots of different ways it can happen.
1. Retired. If a rider retires from their test then you can touch the movement they retired at and then touch RT. The RT button appears at the end of the Marks strip after the number 10. This will record the rider as Retired.
2. Too many errors. If a rider receives too many "errors of course" they will be recorded as eliminated but you can continue to score and comment on their test if you wish. Note: The maximum number of errors is different for different associations.
3. Other reasons. At the bottom of the test just above and to the left of the "sign off" button is the EL - Elimination button.
If you select the EL button it will bring up a list of other reasons a rider may be eliminated in dressage. Touching a reason will add that elimination to the rider's test. Touching it again will then remove the elimination. A rider can only be eliminated for one reason.
If you touch the question mark icon it will give more information about each elimination reason.
Once you have selected the appropriate reason for the elimination select "save"
Penalties
Note: Not all associations use penalties.
To add a penalty you can touch the "P" next to the "EL" at the bottom of the page just a little above and to the left of the "sign off" button.
This will bring up a list of different penalties that can be applied to the rider. If you touch the question mark icon it will give more information about each penalty.
Signing off the test
Once the test is completed you can Sign off the test by touching the "Sign off" button. This will upload the rider's score to the live scoring page. The rider will be able to see their score and interim placing immediately but will not be able to see their test until the "class" has been signed off.
You cannot Sign Off a test until all movements have received a mark unless the rider has been eliminated.
If you do not want to Sign Off the test at this time you can touch the "Save" button to Save the current marks. This could be because you wish to discuss an issue with another judge or the event organiser before signing off the test. In this case the rider's score will not be uploaded and they will not be able to see their marks.
If a test has been signed off you can still return to the test and edit it later and re-submit it which will change the published score.
When you sign off or save the test you will return to the class list.
Signing off the class
Once all riders for a class have completed their test you can then touch the "Sign Off Class" button on the classes page. This will finalise the scores for that class and allow riders to view their dressage tests.
You will need to confirm that you want to sign off the class, as once a class has been signed off you can no longer edit the results for that class. If you realise an error has been made at this stage you will need to contact the office.
You can also touch show results and show placings to view the scores for the class
You will then return to the classes list. You will notice that the class status has now changed to Signed off.
Multiple Judges
When you are judging with other judges, you must first touch which position you are judging from.
A list of the other judges and the position will be displayed.
If one judge signs off a test with either different Errors of Course/Penalties/Eliminate then the status of the rider will change to Judge Conflict. You should consult with the other judge to determine where the issue is.
After judging a rider you can view the difference in percentage between judges by touching Show results.
At any time you may see the overall percentages and placing by touching Show placings.
How to Score Dressage Using Online
While you can input marks through the manage page, there are times when you will need to add the comments into a rider's test yourself. This usually occurs when a paper test has been used at a digital event. To make the comments accessible to the rider, we have to put them online manually.
1. Go to www.eventsecretary.com.au/manage
2. Using the judge's 6 digit code, log in as them using www.eventsecretary.com.au/online
3. Navigate the classes until you find the rider who's test you want to add.
4. Enter the marks as you would if you were pencilling. See: https://eventsecretary.com.au/training/dressage-judge/
5. Compare the online and the paper test to ensure you have accurately recorded the scores.
6. Sign off the test.
FAQ
- Tests may show up as 'Completed' instead of 'Signed off' when viewed on the manage page. This may be because the judge is holding the test to look at the marks again. If a ring has two judges, this also occurs if one judge does not sign off--intentionally or unintentionally. Check with the judges if it was intentional. If not, you can go ahead and set the test to 'Signed Off' so that the rider can access their marks.
- Judge clashes can occur when two judges are on the same ring and one has entered a combination as retiring or having an EOC at different movements. This will prevent the test from being signed off. Have the judges discuss where the retiring or EOC occurred and use the manage page to correct any errors before signing off.