Simply the Best at Sydney CDI

In light of recognising some of the key players behind the scenes I wanted to take the time to pay tribute (and perhaps salute) some of the unsung heroes of the sport – the judges themselves!

It takes a unique commitment to the sport of dressage to become an international judge. Judges of this calibre are part of an elite community who are dedicated to the growth and development of the sport worldwide .Talented riders in their own right, these judges have spent years in training and now travel the world supporting the international dressage community.

Living in Australia we don’t often get the chance to see international riders compete locally. The Australian dressage community is however, fortunate enough to attract some of the world’s leading judges on the judging panel at the Sydney CDI 2014.

This year the FEI Accredited International Judges on the panel at the Sydney CDI 2014 includes:

1.    Stephen Clarke (FEI 5*Judge from Great Britain)

2.    Peter Holler (FEI 5* Judge from Germany)

3.    Liselotte (Lilo) Fore (FEI 5*Judge from the USA)

4.    Victoire Mandl (4* Judge from Austria)

5.    Helen Hughes-Keen (4* Judge from NZ)

6.    Sue Hobson (4* Judge from NZ)

7.    Susan Hoevenaars (5* Judge from Australia)

8.    Mary Seefried (5* from Australia)

9.    Maria Schwennesen (4* Judge from Australia)

10.Judith (Jane) Ventura (4* Judge from Australia)

11.Joanne Fowler (3* Judge from Australia)

12.Gisela Nilsson- Harding (3* Judge from Australia)

Besides judging at the Athens and London Olympics, three of the judges at the Sydney CDI will also be judging at World Equestrian Games in Normandy later this year.

There is a special relationship between Australia’s leading riders and the international judges as they play a key part in the selection process to represent Australia on the international stage.

Damon Barlow, who will be competing at the Sydney CDI on Hillbreeze Stand Out and Hillbreeze Sensation, explains the benefits of performing in front of an international judging panel as such:

“It is great to be judged by the international judges. When they give their feedback it often sounds harsh but you at least know you are being compared to some of the best in the world rather than just best in Australia.”

Mary Seefried is one of Australia’s 5* Judges and has been a frequent judge on the panel at the Sydney CDI since the Event’s launch. Somewhat of an all-rounder - Mary has competed in Dressage as well as Eventing and Jumping. Mary is currently one of 30 Olympic-level Dressage judges in the world, and has judged Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, European Championships, FEI World Cups as well as Asian Games and SEA Games. In July 2013 the FEI appointed her as one of the six-member Judges Supervisory Panel (JSP), a body charged with overseeing that Dressage judging is fair. Currently she is chair of the Australian Dressage Committee (ADC).

In her role on the ADC, Mary is keen to foster a culture of the “dressage team”- that all stakeholders in Australia; riders, judges, coaches and media,  work together in a spirit of cooperation to develop  the sport in Australia to meet the aspirations of all.

I asked Mary what she enjoyed most about being a judge both locally and internationally and she had this to say…

“Internationally it is to see the new upcoming combinations from so many different nations - it is a measure of how the sport is developing globally and within individual nations.  Equally in Australia, I really look forward to seeing the new combinations and riders making their way up the dressage scale and also to see their progress from year to year.  The sport has advanced significantly in Australia in the last 5 years. Secondly I enjoy meeting up with judging colleagues in Australia and overseas - it' s like another family - catching up on their personal news and also the issues which are on the go both globally and in their countries- the sport does not stay static “

If you’re a budding judge in the making…Mary had this advice for anyone looking to train as a judge:

“Take every opportunity to grow your technical knowledge.  Practice the skills of assessment - they are different to riding. Have your heart in the job and become a judge for the right reasons - the judge is one of the most important forms of feedback for the rider through helpful comments - learn how to point out weakness in a positive way and connect to the riders in the competition.”

"Take every opportunity to grow your technical knowledge.  Practice the skills of assessment - they are different to riding. Have your heart in the job and become a judge for the right reasons… learn how to point out weakness in a positive way and connect to the riders in the competition."

The Sydney CDI is Australia’s premier dressage event. So why not come and salute the world’s best at the Sydney CDI 2014.

The Sydney CDI – Where the stars gather

When? 1-3 May 2014

Where?The Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Saxony Rd Horsley Park

How do I get there? Click here for Directions

How much? General admission is$35 for Saturday

Buy tickets now: Buy online

Find out more: Visit the website Sydney CDI

Contact: Toni Venhaus on toni.venhaus@gmail.com

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