The following standards are set by the SCDCTA Board of Directors to ensure quality judging results at all SCDCTA recognized schooling shows:

All SCDCTA judges must be current members of the SCDCTA. USEF licensed dressage or combined training judges may be used by SCDCTA schooling shows but their names will not appear on the SCDCTA judges list unless they are a member of the SCDCTA.

All SCDCTA judges must attend one SCDCTA judges seminar at least every two years to keep their card active. In the event there will be no seminar offered in the year the judges card is expiring, all judges have one extra year to meet requirements.

Active participation in a judges' seminar is required. Auditing of other seminars will not count as a substitution.

If requirements are not met, that individual's name will be dropped from the list. Reinstatement requires re-application. However, you cannot re-apply in the same year (i.e., there is a one-year penalty).

To apply or re-apply to become a SCDCTA schooling show judge, you must present copies of 3 dressage tests with scores of at least 60% at Second Level or above in order to judge Second Level and below. Three test scores of at least 58% must be submitted at the level you wish to qualify for. These scores must be from 3 different USEF judges and must be obtained at USEF-recognized shows.

All USEF and FEI carded dressage or combined training judges who are SCDCTA members will be automatically added to the SCDCTA Judges list, and may waive the judges seminar requirement.

Complete requirements appear in in the SCDCTA by laws. For further information on becoming a certified SCDCTA judge, contact the treasurer.

The board has instituted a monitoring process to provide recourse in the event that an approved judge received multiple complaints from competitors and/or show managers. We all have a vested interest in providing appropriate feedback in a professional manner, including minimizing negative critiques when possible, to help further our sport. Nowhere is this more important than at the grassroots, schooling show level! Complaints will be brought to the Board’s attention and if action is warranted, such will be voted upon at that time. For the record, this is not a problem we have had in the past; we are just instituting a policy in the event a problem should arise.

Complaints, compliments, and comments about judges should be sent to Dawn Ahner.