Editing in progress - please stand by for correctly spelled out version by my devoted to dressage hubby ;)

This is a self paced, self arranged part of the "L" program and the most time consuming part of USDF "L" for judge training program. Session E is also one of the most important parts toward graduating with distinction."L" instructors can teach you, but only you can learn. Humans learn by applying their theoretical knowledge to practical aspect. This the time when "L" participants can do that to better prepare themselves for the exam.

Scribing for 12+ hours with "R" and higher judges at recognized shows.
Scribing is a very important part of being a capable judge. Large % of the "L" candidate depends how she/he is communicating with her scribe and if they are on the same wave link By scribing yourself, note when you miss something and how it's best to deal with that. Where you can see a problem areas, in what tests? You can pay extra attention to your future scribes in those areas and it will help you to stay on the top of it.Even it's only required 12 to scribe, I would suggest to do double of that amount. Ask the manager or judge to sign off on your scribing hours.

Sitting for 12+ hours with "R" and higher judges at recognized shows.
Sitting with judges are quite different from scribing in several areas. Shows need scribes, but "L" participants can be considered a distraction. The policy is to contact the show manager first and ask their permission to "sit" with the judge. After show manager gives a green light, you need to contact the judge and ask their permission as well. Don't be surprised if some show managers will not allow anybody to sit at their shows. Try to contact shows that support education of dressage sport. It can be large, multi day shows or local GMO shows. Opposite from some of the show managers, judges love to have an "L" participant to sit with them. I sat with 6 judges and all of them were highly helpful and happy to answer my questions. However, when sitting with judges, you can't initiate a conversation or questions. You have to be quiet and behave like a guest of the show and judge. Only if judge will initiate a conversation with you, you can answer. Otherwise you are there to observe how judging is done. Most judges invited me to join them for lunch and then they were happy to answer any questions. You can count only hours that you sat during Training, first and Second Level. You can not count Intro Level or 3rd Level and above. So before showing up for the show, check the show day sheets to see when Training to Second Level tests are scheduled. When you have to wait during FEI classes and such, ask show management if you can help them with shows in the mean time.

There is a form that a judge needs to fill in about "L" participant that they mail it to USDF to be kept in your file. This feedback is also considered for the final exam. There following questions on this form that judge answers "yes" or "no" and writes short comments if needed. (paraphrased for the copyright purpose)

Another area is the organizations skills. You need to bring all of your diagrams, note book, pen and appropriate weather elements such as sun screen, hat, umbrella, chair cushion, your own chair and clip board and such. Be prepared to step up if needed.

Sitting is quite different from scribing, you can concentrate only on judging and you see much more than during sitting. At first work on appropriate comments and scores. Watch and say it in your head. Write in your note book judges comments that you liked, add them to your tool box. On the next show focus only on the collective marks and further remarks. Keep thinking about collectives and further remarks during the whole test and write them down. Also copy the judges best further remarks and add them to your tool box. At the third show bring the printed score sheets and pretend to judge by giving scores, short comments and most importantly fill in the collectives with comments and further remarks. that is the most challenging area for majority of "L" participants - to write a useful further remark in the time given. This is also a great time to work on your problem areas. On the fourth show, pick one problem area, for example lengthening or stretchy circle or turn on the hunches and keep on scoring and commenting on those, + giving a further remarks. Tell your judge that today I'm working on such and such, if you have any advice please let me know. I learned the highly valuable knowledge from sitting with judges.

Co-judging a schooling shows from B or E.
After you scribed and sat with judges, it's time co-judge the schooling show. Your "L" program organizers get requests from the local schooling shows to refer "L" participants to them, but you can also call to the local schooling shows and ask them to co-judge one of their schooling shows. The set up, compensation and even if your scores count or not, varies from show to show. Some shows pay only for your expenses, others don't pay at all and some pay a fair amount. Trainers don't expect to earn the same wage as you do for your lessons. Prepare to be very reasonably priced. My advice, while you are "L" participant, try to co-judge or judge any show that comes your way. It's very, very helpful for your final exam. When preparing for the shooling shows, make sure to ask the organizers what tests they offer. Make diagrams for those tests if you don't have them. You may ended up judging 3 Day Eventing tets, Prix Caprili Tests, Lead Line Tests, Aplicable DressageTests, Equaitation Tests and such or just a day of only Intro Level tets (yep, I did that and enjoued it as well). I ended up judging or co-judging a handful of shows before my final exam. Every single one was success and a great help tpwards my graduation with destinction.