Could Learning Theory Lead to Objective Dressage Judging?

One researcher shared his thoughts on how learning theory could be used to produce more objective dressage scoring.
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Some people believe dressage is more subjective than objective, and that the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) judging scale (also known as the German training scale) is largely based on a mixture of subjective and objective elements. But, at the 10th International Equitation Science Conference, held Aug. 6-9 in Denmark, one researcher shared his thoughts on how learning theory could be used to produce more objective dressage scoring.

The fundamental objective of dressage is to develop, through a standardized progression of training methods, a horse's physique and ability. The aim is to produce a horse that is calm, supple, and flexible, and confident and willing to perform to its full potential. Under FEI rules, dressage is judged on eight elements: precision, rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, collection, and submission.

At the conference, Andrew McLean, BSc, PhD, Dipl. Ed, director of the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre and senior vice president of the International Society for Equitation Science, took a closer look at the German Training Scales. In particular, he evaluated various scientific viewpoints, including shaping (reinforcing successive incremental approximations of a target behavior): subjective vs. opposed to objective elements of each scale; and "subjective, ambiguous, and scientifically flawed terminology" that could interfere with the judging process.

McLean states that “the elements of a training scale should be objective and directly observable” and “should allow judges to distinguish training successes and errors in a systematic way

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