OK I'm Confused - by judges comments

[Judi Ruffo]

After a few test sheets that say helpfull things like "More Uphill" .....?
I get "poll too high" ...so any suggestions on what that means??? and how I should go about fixing it?

I'll be honest I think it means a) horse on the forehand and b)above the bit
but if it does then why not just say so.

[Jytte]

I'm so used to "poll too low"!!! I think they probably mean that your horse wasn't over the back, perhaps above the bit? I didn't see you work so I can't say, but it is a different comment than I'm used to.

PS: this is also a great thread idea!

[Vera]

Was it only one judges comment??????? If so is it possible to ask that judge why she/he gave you that comment and could she/he suggest ways of correcting it.... if it was only for say one movement, wouldn't be too concerned about it..... if it was throughout the whole test, then that would be a bit of a worry.........
If you get a chance at the weekend, mention it to Heath, he's very approachable with that sort of thing.......

[Ivanka]

my all time favorite:

Could engage hind quarters more (was on canter circle while my mare bucked 3 times)

LOL

[Phoebe]

Could engage hind quarters more (was on canter circle while my mare bucked 3 times)

LOL

haha. I think that's the old standby of the judge who's having trouble thinking of something else to say... well sure, it could always be MORE...

[Equine Elegance]

i absolutely hate getting the comment "could show more lengthening" or something to that effect when the directives of the test say, show SOME lengthened strides.... so many judges look for a full diagonal AND medium trot not lengthened.. Luckily, I'm not in that boat anymore. :) Rocky doesn't have an in between gait and when he hits that diagonal he's already going before I ask!

[Phoebe]

i absolutely hate getting the comment "could show more lengthening" or something to that effect when the directives of the test say, show SOME lengthened strides.... so many judges look for a full diagonal AND medium trot not lengthened..

oh yeh, thats one that used to bug me a bit too.

on the lengthened strides note, I recently got a comment on my extended trot 'needs more bend'. huh?

[Vera]

Well get this.... last year I had the comment....... 'Carefull not to become medium'....... that was for 'show some lengthened strides'......still only got a 6..... if it was that good it was nearly medium why did I only get a 6???????

[Judi Ruffo]

Glad we all seem to have interpretation problems, I know that the judges don;t have time to right a novel and I was lucky enough to speak with Maria after she judegd me recently and she kindly made some suggestions that made sence and seem to work.