Dressage

Becoming a Dressage Judge [Posted 5/8/05] (64k PDF)

Guidelines For Dressage Technical Delegates

Qualification: Must be a suitably experienced person with knowledge of the N.Z.P.C.A. Dressage Rules, who may be, but not necessarily be, a Dressage Judge.

Appointment: A Dressage Technical Delegate (T.D.) is -
Recommended at Area Dressage Selection Days. Appointment confirmed by the Area Committee.
Compulsory at National Championships. Nominated by the Organising Committee and appointment confirmed by C.O.M.

Championships

The appointed T.D. will approve -

1/ Grounds	as level as possible all weather surfaces, groomed grass, not too long
2/ Area	"fenced" off at least 15m back from the arena.
3/ Arena	arena borders must be of one type; rope, picket, plastic etc and not a combination of any of the above. A pipe or picket arena is preferred. must have a "gate" that can be opened and shut easily. Grass centre line mown. Points D L X I G (those used in the relevant test) should be mown 2 metres straight across the centre line. Other surfaces Groomed and centre line and relevant points marked. Watered if necessary (Grooming, remarking and watering should be done after every 10 - 12 horses) Decorations Suitably placed and secured (will not fall over in wind) Letters 50cm back from side of arena. "A" approx. 5m back.
4/ Practice Arena	- on the same type of surface as the competition arena is desirable.
5/ Judges Cars/Boxes	Between 5m and 10m back from the arena At "H" or "M" the car/box should be placed so that the Judge is sitting two and a half metres in from an extension of that long side. The Chief Judge sits at "C".
6/ Gear Inspector	suitably positioned where he/she is easily seen and should wear either a bib or white coat. Has Gear Check List.
7/ Gate-Keeper	Allows one horse through to Arena Area 2 minutes before Start Time. Thereafter as each horse leaves another may enter arena area. (2 minutes also applies after each Tea Break) Arena gate must be left shut until Bell has been rung, then opened to allow horse to enter and closed once horse is in arena.

Other Competitions (non Championship)

1/ Rope Arenas	may be used. The Rope must not be wound around the standards and must release easily, and be between 45cm and 60cm above the ground.
2/ Arenas	ideally should be at least 10m apart Other riders and spectators must be kept back 15m from competition arenas.
3/ Practise Arenas	are not necessary. A suitable warm up area must be available.
4/ Gate Keeper	not required.
5/ Gear Inspector	There may be an inspection before each Test or before the rider's first competition of the day.

Technical Delegate's Championship Checklist

Day Before -

Type of arena to be used is suitable.
Placement of Championship Arena - considering ground and sun.
Appropriate Practise Arena and Warm up area.

One Hour before Start of Competition -

Placement of cars/boxes
Arena groomed/centre line and relevant points marked.
Check Judges Bell is clear and that nearby arenas are using horns or whistles

Half an hour before Start of Competition -

Gear Check and Gate-keeper in position.
Check Judges and Gate-keepers watches are the same "TIME".
Guinea Pig rides 10 minutes before start of class.

During the Day -
The T.D. monitors the running of the Competition.

Liaises with Judges and personnel to ensure the Competition is run according to the rules and on time.
Check the Arena each time it is groomed.
The T.D. is the Riders advocate and advisor.
Discusses complaints with objectors and on collecting relevant information will advise them if there are grounds to lodge a written objection.
Reports use of illegal gear/ equipment, prohibitive schooling or infringement of the Rules to the organising Committee.
Ensures results are posted at least after every second competitor. The individual Judges marks are not to be displayed until after the final tea break.
Ensures the Time is posted on Final Results. Protests must be lodged within the specified time frame (usually within ½ hour of posting)