You be the judge

Judging can be rewarding and stimulating for dressage enthusiasts, but it has its challenges. Stephanie Bateman discovers what it takes to thrive in the judge's seat

- Stephanie Bateman

FOR dressage riders and trainers who are looking to develop their insight and knowledge while adding another professional component to their CV, becoming a judge is a great option.

“We want riders to be confident that judges have been both well trained and examined to ensure their credibility is not under question,” says Stephen Clarke, a renowned FEI five-star judge who has officiated at the Olympic Games. “We’re lucky that we have always had thorough and intensive training for our judges, and I am very proud of what those on committees in this country are doing to ensure it continues to improve.”

Being a judge has certainly been a fulfilling career for Stephen.

“It’s been beyond my wildest dreams,” he says. “The most exciting thing is when you can give high marks. Judging horses like Valegro and Totilas was an honour and a privilege. The night Valegro broke his own record at Olympia was just so magical, it is something I will never forget.”

Stephen started judging after becoming aware that a number of riders found themselves dissatisfied with their scores and how they had been judged.

“I decided to get involved to see what I could do to help improve it,” he explains. “I like the challenge of trying to get it right. Judging is very difficult and my philosophy is that you judge every movement for every horse in as fair and clear a way as possible, regardless of who they are.”

He believes that the experience you have as a rider and trainer has a big influence on your effectiveness as a judge.

“You need a genuine depth of knowledge of the training of the horse to beyond the level you are intending to judge,” he says. “You don’t have to be a gold medallist to be a good judge, but our judges must have relevant experience.