How to become a dressage official?

NAMEF operates a comprehensive training and assessment scheme which enables judges to progress up the levels from Trainee Panel to the National Panel. Many trainers and riders use the knowledge they have built up to progress into a judging career. Becoming a judge helps with test riding and coaching skills as well as the general understanding of the way of going of the horse.

Our NAMEF judges are listed on different panels according to their expertise and eligibility to judge the different levels. Once you have full filled all requirements, you start as Trainee Judge. Over the years, you can succeed up to the National Panel, being eligible to judge up to and including Small Tour which are Advanced 4 and 5, Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I.

However, before you rush off to take exams and become a qualified ‘listed’ NAMEF Judge, there are a few essential requirements you must meet.

• You must have some experience as rider or coach
• You must be knowledgeable, committed, and loyal to your principles.
• You must be able to concentrate for long periods, sometimes up to 5 hours!
• You must be impartial in your judging, regardless of who is riding down the center line towards you.
• You must earn the respect of the riders you will be judging.
• Also, you are obliged to maintain a consistent standard of assessment and marking that rewards riders for the quality of their horse’s training and for their riding.
• You must be prepared to reward good riding and training with high marks. Similarly, you must give lower marks, together with sympathetic and constructive criticism for work that falls short of the required standard.

Where do I start?

1. Fill in the application form and send it to dressage@namef.org.na.
2. Receive the Officials Logbook Dressage which serves as record of all your activities.
3. Act as scribe at various dressage shows (Preliminary and Novice classes).
4. Attend at least 1 appropriate seminar during a one-year period; once you are registered as applicant judge, you will receive information on upcoming seminars via NAMEF.
5. Do sit-ins with qualified judges by arrangement; ask the NAMEF Dressage Delegate who qualifies for sit-ins.
6. It is recommended to act as scribe and to sit-ins also in the higher classes to gain experience.
7. Once you have full filled all requirements, you can do the NAMEF written exam No. 1; please approach the NAMEF Dressage Delegate at dressage@namef.org.na for arrangements.
8. After you have passed the written exam, you do your practical exam; you have to do shadow judging by a qualified judge. Please approach the NAMEF Dressage Delegate for arrangements.
9. At least after you have passed your written and practical exam, you have to register with a national club and become an official member of NAMEF.

How do I get promoted?

To progress to the next higher level, you have to full fil the below-mentioned requirements according to the FEI Group IX Dressage Education Plan. Ensure that your logbook record is up to date as your signed logbook activities serve as prove of fulfillment of the requirements for promotion. If you can check all the requirements and feel ready to succeed to the next higher level, please hand in your logbook together with the assessment of your practical judging. NAMEF will then decide on your promotion to the next higher level.