The Use of Scribes and Score Sheets

What is a scribe and when does the judge need one?

• A scribe is the person that the judge dictates their penalties and scores to. He/she will keep a written record on score sheets.

• The scribe does not need to be a full time ring steward.

• The most common classes that need a scribe:• Reining, Trail, Western Riding, Working Cow

Horse• Additional classes that may need scribes:

• Roping, Yearling Longe Line

How do I know if the judge needs a scribe?

• When you make the initial agreement with a judge, ask if they will need a scribe.

• Include scribing requirements (including if they state they will not be needing one) in the judge’s contract.

How do I find scribes?

• Hired ring stewards should be able to scribe.– Each judge needs their own scribe, unless they

indicated that they did not need one.

• Local collegiate and senior 4-H judging team members should know how to scribe & can often be recruited.– Call your local or state extension offices to find

contacts if needed.

• Volunteers can be taught; however, do not overwhelm new scribes.

If your scribe has never scribed before

• Plan the time to teach the scribe before the show. • Keep it simple.• Don’t ask a first time scribe to do too much.• If you start to teach them and they don’t really

seem to understand or, worst of all, they don’t want to be a scribe, arrange for someone else.

Teaching: Helpful Hints

• Make sure the scribe knows that they will be working as a team. However, unnecessary conversation with the judge should be avoided in order to allow them to focus on the exhibitor.

• Demonstrate on actual score sheets so he/she will know how things work.

• Make sure that he/she understands the difference between penalties and maneuver scores.

At the Horse Show

• Before the classes start, plan time for the scribe and judge to meet.

• The judge should review with the scribe the manner in which he/she will be relaying scores and penalties.– When a judge states the penalty and maneuver scores, they should

be said in the same order each and every time.– Disqualifications – sometimes judges continue to provide scores for

the run even though a zero score has already been given.– Sometimes judges forget to provide a maneuver score & need to be

reminded, but not interrupted.– The judge should maintain their own cheat sheets.

• If scores will be radioed to tabulators or provided to show secretaries before the end of the class, this process should be reviewed with the scribe prior to the class.

Items that you should have ready for the scribe

• Adequate supply of the most current version of the score sheets

• Patterns

• Pencils, erasers and a small pencil sharpener

• Clipboard

Score Sheets

• Be sure that you have the most current versions. • If there will be large classes requiring score

sheets, make sure you can provide an adequate number of copies.

• Make a master copy score sheet for pattern classes (Reining, Working Cow Horse, Western Riding and Trail).

• The scribe should fill in the maneuver descriptions across the top of these score sheets.

• Score sheets are available at apha.com/judges

Be Organized

Be Prepared