The inaugural ODS League Championships held in June were a success! Thank you to Gaye McCabe, Marsha Williams, Lisa Holley, and many other dedicated volunteers that made this show possible. Donna Longacre and Diane Royce judged open, League championship, and High School Championship classes over the weekend. The championship format was similar to the recognized ODS championships—one test each day for a single combined score.

Saturday evening of the championship weekend, the High School Dressage (HSD) participants, their parents, and guests attended a banquet where 21 high school athletic letters were awarded. I was also privileged to announce the winners of three $500 college scholarships to graduating HSD members. These funds were raised by HSD participants at their league shows. This is an impressive group of kids and parents! Congratulations and best wishes to the graduates!

The topic of league shows was raised last month in a letter to Flying Changes. The remarks might have been better addressed directly to league show management, or the ODS board, but I want to comment. At issue was the perceived lack of support for the upper levels at league shows. League shows can offer upper level tests and frequently do if asked. Often that is a safe venue to debut a test at a new level, or a freestyle in order to work out problems. Most league show managers are willing to include a “test of choice” class if they are contacted.

This year, we did not include upper levels in our league championships. This was a deliberate decision as we gauged the interest in the show, how we might need to adjust the qualifying scores, and available facilities. We also want to have enough participation to make the championship meaningful. We did, however, have some third level rides by a HSD member in the open class portion of the show.

One of the big hurdles we need to address before we can offer league championships at upper levels is consistent and accurate judging. We have been fortunate to have some USEF “R” or “r” judges at league shows, but the requirement for an ODS league show is to use a graduate of the USDF “learner judge” L program. This program covers tests through Second Level. While we often have L grads with considerable upper level experience, we also have those who have only ridden through Second, or Third level.
By using an L grad for tests at second level and below, we can be sure that all judges have received similar training and there is a “standard”. That would not be true if they were asked to judge upper level tests. To require a USEF licensed judge at all league shows reduces the number of available judges, increases travel and lodging costs—all which have to be passed back to the participant in higher fees. League shows, in my opinion, can’t be a “cheaper” parallel track to the recognized shows.

While we’re on the topic of shows, please remember the ODS Championship Show at Devonwood on Labor Day weekend and the Region Six Championships later on September 22nd. Send in your banquet reservations early. We’ll need lots of volunteers for both shows. I hope to see you there!

Good Riding,
John