Virtual Horse Shows: How They Work
NAWD and DOD host virtual horse shows throughout the year, allowing equestrians to test their skills and compete for awards from home. To participate, competitors select the tests they will perform at www.nawdhorse.org.
Then, during a set time period (usually about a week), the competitor is filmed by a friend or family member from “C,” a set point in an arena so the judge can view each entry from the same vantage point.
The competitor then posts the video on YouTube and submits a link to NAWD for review and placement. When judging is complete, thorough
Stacey Gorman, an exhibitor from Wisconsin, has competed in virtual shows with NAWD for several years. “I have greatly benefited from the judges' reviews and comments. They want to help and encourage. I feel I've improved in many areas that I wouldn't have on my own,” she said. Jean Thomas, another participant from Wisconsin, exhibits horses through NAWD programs, too.
“I have a better relationship and understanding with my horse than I ever had,” Thomas said. “The virtual shows are
score sheets and awards are returned to competitors. For those not wanting to compete, NAWD and DOD also offer virtual coaching with detailed analysis and tips.
A big benefit is getting feedback from certified judges at a fraction of the cost of participating in live competitions. The average cost of a virtual NAWD or DOD entry is around $30; a day at a live non-NAWD/DOD competition can easily cost several hundred dollars.
“We pride ourselves on welfare of the horse and educating our riders and competitors,” Coeli Netsky, a NAWD judge based in New Jersey, said.
objective judging system that provides more information to riders about the meanings of their scores,” she said. “We strive to simplify the language of dressage without minimizing its importance.”
“NAWD has benefited my clients by giving them a broader stage on which to have fun with their horses."
"Many of my clients are English riders, dressage mostly, but they are also curious about all things ‘horse,’ so when NAWD, through its humane standards and rules, put the horse's welfare first, some of these ladies have 'crossed over' and enjoyed riding in Western dressage! It is my experience that the more variety a horse has in his life and routines – as long as all put the horse's health and soundness first – the more benefit to the horse because it makes the horse's world more interesting,” Donna Snyder-Smith, a professional from Oregon, said.
“We spend a great deal of time on every test we judge and give lots of feedback and comments to help riders achieve their goals.”
NAWD's first priority has always been equine welfare, explains Johnson. “In 2016, we began giving a mandatory score of ‘4’ out of ‘10’ for riders who perform with their horse's nose behind the vertical and developed an
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