The Addition Of The “.5 ” To The Scoring System A Benefit To Everyone
By Alison Child
In case you haven’t heard yet, judges are now being asked to use a half of a point or .5 when they think it’s appropriate. So this year, expect to see not just your typical 6 or 7 on your test sheet. Now you will see a decimal point for all scores. For example, instead of getting a 6 you will now see a 6.0. Or, if the judge thinks it’s better than just a straight 6.0, they may give you a 6.5.
I think this a great change for two primary reasons:
1). It allows the judge to more clearly communicate to the rider about the quality of the movement.
2). It gives the judge an increased ability to separate out the scoring of the rides. So often when I’ve been in the judge’s box I’ve thought, gee that movement by that rider was a 6 but barely a 6. Another rider may do the movement with higher quality but it’s not quite a 7 either so they also get a 6. This can go on for an entire test although most judges will reward the higher quality ride somewhere in the collectives. But this new option really gives the judge the clear ability to better place the classes – a benefit to everyone.
The scribe is the only one whose job becomes a little harder because now they are required to write the score using decimal points. For example, if the score is a 6, the scribe has to write it down as a 6.0. Or, a 6.5 if the judge decides to add the .5 for that movement.
I applaud the USDF for improving the scoring system and I look forward to seeing it in action.
alisonchild
cool