Dressage Judging Levels

Continuing on the theme of dressage rules: My experience scribing has made me take a closer look at judging. Especially as I've been witness to some judge training.

Do you know what the letters after the judge's name mean on the prizelist? I didn't until I looked into it. So, FYI, the judging levels (source: Equine Canada Dressage Rules 2016 found here):

The three amigos at supper time
(their round bale with econet had to be taken away until the rain stops)

Recorded (r)

Requirements to become:
- competed at Second Level and achieved 60% or higher at 3 different recognized shows under 3 different judges
- completed 12+ hours of scribing at silver or gold shows (any level) and have a scribing form signed by the judge (I've already completed this requirement)
- attended and received a positive assessment at a recorded judges' clinic in the last year
- passed the Dressage Canada judges' examination
- have five references, two of which are current judges (the rest must be dressage sport license holders)
- audited with a senior or FEI judge at two separate 2-day shows
- judged at two schooling shows

Can judge:
- any level at bronze shows
- up to second level at silver shows
- up to first level at gold shows

Don't have pictures specific to this post, so here are some random ones of Kachina

Basic (B)

Requirements to become:
- be a recorded judge
- three scores of 60%+ at Third Level
- judged at 5+ recognized shows judging up to and including second level
- 12+ hours of scribing at Third Level or higher
- attended and received a positive assessment at a Basic judges' clinic in the last year
- passed the Dressage Canada judges' examination
- five references, two of them judges
- audited for 3 days with Senior of FEI judge at Second Level and above

Can judge:
- any level at bronze shows
- up to Intermediate 1 at silver shows
- up to second level at gold shows

Rocking the windblown locks

Medium (M)

Requirements to become:
- be a Basic judge for 2+ years
- three scores of 60%+ at PSG (if you can't do this, there's an Apprenticeship Program you can do instead with a bunch of other requirements)
- co-judged at 2+ Gold shows at Training to Third Level
- senior judge at 5+ Silver or Gold shows at Third and Fourth Level
- co-judged at 4+ shows with Medium or higher judges up to Fourth Level
- shadow judged at Third and Fourth Levels at 2+ shows (shadow judging is where you judge the class but you just compare your results to that of the real judge and your scores aren't counted)
- 12+ hours of scribing at FEI levels
- attended and received a positive assessment at a Medium/Senior judges' clinic in the last year
- passed the Dressage Canada judges' examination
- three references, two of them judges

Can judge:
- any level at bronze shows
- any level at silver shows
- up to fourth level at gold shows

Here's a random photo of an antelope, because why not

Senior (S)

Requirements to become:
- be a Medium judge for 2+ years
- three scores of 62%+ at Intermediate 1
- submit a video of you riding at IA, IB or I2 to be reviewed by the Officials Committee
- judged 10+ days of Gold shows at a minimum of Third and Fourth Level
- co-judged 4+ shows of PSG and I1
- co-judged 2+ shows of Grand Prix
- shadow judged Grand Prix three times
- judged 2+ regional or provincial Championships at Third and Fourth Level or higher
- attended and received a positive assessment at a Medium/Senior judges' clinic in the last year
- passed the Dressage Canada judges' examination
- three references, two of them judges

Can judge:
- any level at bronze shows
- any level at silver shows
- any level at gold shows

Antelope have nice trot movements too, maybe we should start antelope dressage

FEI 3* and Beyond

Requirements to apply:
- be a Senior judge for 2+ years
- judged 9+ Grand Prix classes including 50+ horses
- shadow judged 2 Grand Prix classes with 2 FEI judges
- attended and received a positive assessment at a Medium/Senior judges' clinic in the last year
- obtained sponsorship letters from two FEI judges, at least one from outside Canada
- attendance at an FEI clinic for dressage judges
All of the above just makes you eligible apply for nomination to the FEI, there's no guarantee of acceptance

After that, the rules are controlled by the FEI. The two remaining judging levels are FEI 4* and FEI 5*

Summary

It takes a lot of work to become a judge, especially at the higher levels. However, all that work means that the quality and consistency of judging increases when you have judges of a higher level. I've seen first-hand how much thought FEI judges put into their scores and comments and I now see the value in paying more to show at a competition with Senior or FEI judges so that I can get that quality of feedback. 

One thing I found really interesting is that many FEI judges have day jobs completely separate from horses and do all of this on the side. 

I may never get to the top levels of judging, but I am interested in pursuing my recorded status at least. I think it would be interesting and another way to be involved in the dressage world. Just scribing has improved my eye considerably so I feel like going through the judging program will help me develop a better understanding for the movements and make me a better rider. I am currently just showing at Training Level so it'll be a while until I get my scores at Second Level and am even eligible, but something to keep in mind for the future.

Is judging something you would ever consider doing?