Inside the Seminar on
Working Equitation Judging Techniques
by Barbara Price
A varied group of working equitation enthusiasts convened at Haras dos Cavaleiros in A varied group of
working equitation enthusiasts convened at Haras dos Cavaleiros in Magnolia, Texas March 12-16 for an
intensive seminar on judging Working Equitation sponsored by Working Equitation International Association of the USA (WEIAUSA). Judges, trainers, riders and breeders came from across the country for
the opportunity to learn from one of the sport’s top international judges, Dr. Claudia Elsner Matos.
Ms. Matos, the responsible judge designated by WAWE (World Association for Working Equitation) for
the training of international Working Equitation judges, traveled from Portugal to conduct the seminar.
The judging techniques seminar was an intensive, full five days of academic and practical working equitation instruction. Topics covered ranged from the origin and organizations behind the sport, judging
responsibilities, elements of competitions, and comprehensive coverage of the four phases of Working
Equitation: Dressage Trial, Ease of Handling Trial, Speed Trial and Cow Trial. The initial days included
many hours of video examples, followed by on-the-spot evaluations by Ms. Matos and participants. The
final two days of the seminar were focused on developing an eye for actual judging of the sport, culminating with participants judging live trials (Dressage, Ease of Handling & Speed), and taking an inclusive written test.
It was a challenging course, requiring participants to not only be well versed on the rules and best-practice techniques of Working Equitation, but also to demonstrate their ability to quickly and accurately
judge the trials and articulate their conclusions to the group. After successful completion of the clinic,
three participants were awarded U.S. Judge licenses, and four others were award Learner Judge licenses.
The U.S. Judges are licensed to officiate at WEIAUSA Recognized and Schooling competitions within the
United States (except Championship level), and Learner judges are licensed to judge WEIAUSA Schooling competitions within the United States.
U.S. Judge Licenses: Doreen Atkinson (Texas), Wayne Hipsley (Kentucky), Michael Vermaas (Texas).
Learner Judge Licenses: Leslie Cummings (Texas), Jill Glasspool Malone (Georgia), Barbara Price (California), Terri Watts (Texas).
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