Working Equitation Judge Training

ANWE Judge Course Update- April 2024

ANWE Judge Course Update.

Judges play a key role in educating Working Equitation riders and ensuring that we stay closely aligned with the principles and standards of WAWE.

They commit to upholding the highest standards, strive for excellence and act as advocate for the horse. Our judges seek education and knowledge to constantly improve and develop their insights and capabilities.

As our sport develops, so does our judge education. The EPC has developed a new Judge Accreditation Framework which will assist our judges in developing even greater skills and confirming their technical knowledge.

2024 will be a transition year. We will continue to use the existing exam for our new and reaccrediting judges while using the new clinic formats and presenting the new content so that our judges will be prepared for the new process in 2025.

ANWE Judge Training and Assessment Outline from 2025.

 Australia will have three levels of Judges:

  • Training Level – judges who are developing the competencies to become a regional level judge.
  • Regional Judge – who can judge the EOH phase at Club and State level competitions.
  • National Judge – who can judge the Dressage and EOH phases at Club, State and National level competitions.

Accreditation

We are expanding the educational opportunities available to our judges. They will continue to attend the 2-day clinic as per our current system and in addition they will have 2 online theory and development sessions within the 2-year period of their accreditation to further develop their technical knowledge and judging skills. In order to keep this knowledge and skills current, we ask that they judge or shadow judge or pencil at 3 competitions annually.

Assessment

We have developed a new format for our judge’s assessment with two components. The written exam will require candidates to answer questions on the technical knowledge covered in these education clinics as well as on the ANWE rulebook, and in the practical video judging component they will demonstrate their judging competency.

New Clinic Formats

We have developed a range of clinic formats to appeal to all our Working Equitation enthusiasts and encourage States and clubs to hold the following types of clinics.

  • One Day Update and Education Clinics are designed for Riders, Coaches and Judges. The facilitator will present educational and update materials and participants will have opportunities for practice judging and Q/A sessions. These are great information sessions for everyone in our community.
  • Two Day Judge Accreditation Clinics are designed primarily for judges (although all are welcome) and will be more intensive and in depth. There will often be opportunities for live judging and there will be an assessment component.
  • Online Education Sessions will be available during the year and cover technical aspects of judging, video judging practice and help prepare candidates for success in their written and practical exams.

How to start?

Get in touch with your club / state body or judge educator and find out what clinics are available in your area.

Download the following documents and study them:

ANWE Rulebook  https://anwe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ANWEL-2024-Official-RB-1.pdf

FEI Dressage Judging Manual Object and Principles of Dressage

https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/FEI%20Dressage%20Judging%20Manual%20-%20Effective%201%20January%202024_0.pdf

The Judge Course Syllabus can be downloaded here. https://anwe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Syllabus-to-develop-for-ANWEL-Judges-2.pdf