Official judges in Canada are ranked: 'l' = learner, new participant in
Dressage Canada learner judges program, can officiate only at non-EC
(informal) shows; 'r' - recorded -- carded by Dressage Canada, has
attended and passed a judging clinic, competed and won 60% at 3 EC
dressage competitions at Second Level under 3 judges, scribed a minimum
of 12 hours at EC national dressage competitions, etc.... can
officiate at informal dressage shows, plus can judge all levels at EC
primary shows, to Second Level at EC provinicial (Trillium) shows.#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
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'B' - Basic judges must have competed as a rider at Third Level and
earned at least 3 scores of 60% or better, scribed for 12 hours at
Third Level Classes at EC national shows, etc... and can judge EC
provincial shows to 3rd Level, EC National shows to 2nd Level and
co-judge #rd & 4th levels. #ed_op#br#ed_cl#
'M' - Medium judges must have held a B judge's card for at least 3
years, competed at PSG, and meet all sorts of extra
qualifications. They can judge all EC levels at national shows
and co-judge FEI classes with a Senior or FEI judge.#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
'S' - Senior judges must have been an 'M' judge for at least 2 years,
competed to Intermediaire 2 (56% under 3 different judges), and meet
all sorts of other criteria in judging competitions including
provincial and national championships. Senior judges are often
former FEI judges (over a certain age) or are candidates for becoming
FEI judges (need to have judges a minimum of 50 GP rides before
applying!!)#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
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As you can see, it takes years to work your way up the grades, and
judges are assessed by senior judges along the way at clinics.
Higher level judges must meet higher standards and are also better at
telling if your horse is truly on the bit, or just pretending, if he is
'late behind' in the canter transistion, and much less likely to
overlook inaccuracies and use of voice.#ed_op#br#ed_cl#