USEF/USDF ‘R’ Dressage Judge Training Program

June 18, 2025

Thank you to the Arizona Dressage Association for the $500 scholarship to support my efforts to be promoted to a USEF large R dressage judge. Judging is a big responsibility, and our words matter. I intend to learn and grow as a judge, instructor, and competitor so that I can apply the knowledge to help our dressage riders and horses. The costs involved in becoming a dressage judge make the journey something to think carefully about. It’s expensive to journey through the prerequisites to be eligible to join a judge program. Once accepted into the program, there is a substantial program fee. Then there is the required travel expenses for the programs (part 1 and part 2), plus the required apprenticing which all can be daunting. I am grateful to ADA for being a supporter of this important educational program.

 

In June nine candidates gathered in Saugerties, New York for the ‘R’ Dressage Judge Training Program. Bill Warren and Joan Darnell were the instructors, with Karry Brothers being the Judge Education Facilitator.  From my original small ‘r’ program, there were three of us returning for this program – me, Missy Gilliland & Ange Bean. The other candidates were from all over the U.S. and we developed new friendships and bonds. We have a fantastic group of R candidates.

 

On Friday we had nearly eight hours of classroom time. We reviewed the expectations of the training program and went over the answers to each of the seven modules of questions we had to pass before the training weekend.  The instructors reviewed rules, objectives, methodology and definitions with us, but we also spent a lot of time looking at videos – including the video of Claire Darnell’s score of 10 for her 4th level release of reins in the canter (which really was excellent). We all participated verbally with evaluating movements.

Some highlights in our instruction included:

 

The priority in a developing canter pirouette is

  • Rhythm is maintained
  • Preparation
  • Keep the canter quality
  • Correct size
  • Bend
  • Suppleness, lightness, balance

We were asked not to count the number of steps at 4th level.

 

 

The priority in a Shoulder-in or Renveres

  • Quality of the gait
  • Is there enough impulsion & engagement
  • Alignment
  • Bend

We were asked to prioritize engagement over collection.

 

On Saturday and Sunday, we attended the Hudson Valley Show Series HITS-on-the-Hudson for live judging. Saturday was a bit wet and cool for my Arizona blood. We judged tests for Prix St Georges and Third Level Test Three utilizing our scribes.  After the tests were scored, we met with Bill and Joan to review our comments and scores to compare them with what they had. Then we did some oral judging (judging out loud in front of everyone) and listened to Bill or Joan evaluate Fourth Level classes as well as other tests that were interesting. Sunday was all about oral judging. We broke out into smaller groups with Bill or Joan (and then swapped instructors). We were lucky to have many Prix St Georges tests to review.

 

Learning what to prioritize with the basics and essence of each movement, and how to score when movements have major or minor faults is always a great refresher. We saw fantastic movements from video and some live specialty classes. We were asked to always look at the big picture and to advocate for the horse, support the rider, and be honest with our score.

 

Bill said we needed to be confident and defend what we saw and said. What we say in each box is important to the horse’s welfare. Bill encouraged us not to be generic. He asked us to make sure the rider understood that we saw their test. USEF and USDF take judge’s training seriously and are always looking for us to increase our knowledge and skill. Compared to our small r training, this program was a lot more educational and beneficial because Joan and Bill are excellent leaders and mentors. They were encouraging with everyone in our group and found ways to break us out of any comfort or safe zones.

 

Aside from all the training, learning and judging, if you saw my Facebook post you know I really enjoyed the food! It was fresh and tasty – pizza, pasta, German pancakes, crepes and all the desert that I indulged in – Yummy!  Missy and I arrived back in Arizona after midnight Monday morning. It was a long but wonderful few days.

 

I’m looking forward to spending more time with the R candidates. And now… on to our apprenticeships!

 

 

Thank you to the 2025 Arizona Dressage Association Scholarship Program for awarding me funds to apply towards this training session in New York. Thank you to ADA, Karen McGee and the Scholarship Committee for selecting me as one of this year’s recipients. Judge training & promotion training is very expense. Scholarships like this make my (and our) lives easier. I strive to be worthy and to give back to our amazing dressage community.