Western Dressage Judges Education

The WDAA Western Dressage Judge’s Education Program is open to all that are interested in earning a USEF Western Dressage judges license. This program offers training to applicants that will provide them with the tools and knowledge to accurately evaluate horse and rider combinations, score the tests and provide comments with confidence. There are no prerequisites to begin the process.

The program consists of 3 separate parts to be completed in the following order prior to applying to USEF for licensure.

PART 1 – ATTEND THE WDAA/USEF WESTERN DRESSAGE JUDGES SEMINAR:  

ONLINE SEMINAR For Licensed USEF Western Dressage Judges (OPEN TO AUDITORS)

• An online seminar is available for USEF licensed Western Dressage judges to meet their seminar attendance requirement. It is a shortened version of the in-person seminar geared toward licensed USEF Western Dressage judges but is available to anyone who is interested in learning more about what judges are looking for in the Western Dressage partnership between horse and rider.

To access the seminar registration page, please sign into your WDAA member portal and then register for the seminar at:

Register for the Online USEF Western Dressage Judges Seminar

IN PERSON (OPEN TO AUDITORS)

• Organized by WDAA and held once per year in January or February.
• Topics include evaluating horse and rider combinations, scoring tests and providing comments with additional focus on clarifying and broadening a judge’s perception of gaits, impulsion, willing cooperation, rider position and seat in western tack, the rider’s correct and effective use of aids and harmony between rider and horses of different styles. Judging Freestyles and Gaited Horses are a focus in the program.

The 2022 WDAA/USEF Western Dressage Judges Seminar was held February 11th-13th in Denver. 3 full days of intensive training for new judge applicants and 2 days for licensed judges. All that hard work is balanced with great camaraderie, networking, and lively discussion. Lunch is provided all 3 days plus the hotel offers Happy Hour every night! This event will complete the requirement of seminar attendance for USEF Western Dressage licensing and maintenance, plus is the first step toward licensure. Only 1 seminar is held per year. 

PART 2 – APPRENTICE JUDGE AT THREE USEF LICENSED COMPETITIONS IN WESTERN DRESSAGE

• All candidates will be asked to complete Apprentice Judge opportunities with USEF licensed Western Dressage judges.
• 1 group apprentice judging opportunity is offered every year at the WDAA Western Dressage World Championship Show. This counts as two apprenticeships and is organized by WDAA only.

The 2022 World Show Group Apprentice judging registration is now open

Dates:  Tuesday September 27 – Saturday October 1, 2022
Location:  Lazy E Arena, 9600 Lazy E Dr, Guthrie, OK 73044

• "r" judge applicants must attend all days
• "R" judge applicants are encouraged to attend the rail class segment on Tuesday and must attend the full day sessions on Thursday and Friday

Cost:  “r” applicants: $750; “R” applicants: $500
Registration is limited to 20 apprentices.

Register for the 2022 World Show Group Apprentice Judging

PART 3 – COMPLETE ONLINE TESTING USING THE WDAA WESTERN DRESSAGE JUDGE EVALUATION PROGRAM

• Applicants will judge 16 Western Dressage test videos and complete a score card for each.
• Upon completion of all 16 tests, score cards will be assessed by two evaluators and a ruling of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory will be given along with comments from the evaluators.
• Online Judges Platform will be an additional charge of $250.
• Please email Gail Matheus at [email protected] once you are qualified to complete the final requirement for your USEF Western Dressage judge licensing application.

For more information about USEF Licensing for Western Dressage, please refer to the USEF website Licensed Officials page Become Licensed: Become Licensed | US Equestrian (usef.org)

Any questions should be directed to the Licensed Officials Department through the following email address: [email protected].

·        All candidates will be asked to complete Apprentice Judge opportunities with USEF licensed Western Dressage judges.