SHF Provincial Judge Program - Introduction
The Saskatchewan Horse Federation (SHF) offers members a credible Provincial Officials Program. The program provides interested individuals the opportunity to start their career as an official by working towards attaining a provincially recognized card in their chosen discipline(s). It also serves as a stepping-stone for those who wish to gain further accreditation as a judge with Equestrian Canada (EC) or other judge certifying bodies.
Why Become a Provincial Official?
Do you like the idea of supporting and encouraging grassroots level competitors? Do you have some competition experience in your chosen discipline(s)? Officials are an integral part of equestrian sport – consider becoming an SHF carded provincial official today!
Reasons to become an accredited SHF Provincial Official:
- Make a Difference: Support Saskatchewan’s emerging athletes and our grassroots competitors. Help them get the right start in a fun, relaxed and safe competitive environment;
- Stepping-Stone: Provincial accreditation is a simple way to get a feel for officiating, which can help open doors toward further certification with other certifying bodies;
- Training: Judge training clinics will be offered (on an as needed basis) IN PROVINCE!;
- Free Advertising: Provincial officials are listed on the SHF website. Anyone inquiring about finding an official is directed to this page;
- Insurance Discounts: CapriCMW Insurance offers preferred rates to SHF Provincial Officials;
- No Restrictions: An SHF Provincial Official may officiate at unsanctioned competitions and may hold multiple judge cards with other equestrian organizations.
Judge Certification Categories
Heritage Circuit competition requires the use of SHF officials having a minimum of provincial primary General Performance judge status or EC General Performance Judge (SHF Primary Dressage Judge or SHF Primary Hunter/Jumper judge may be hired to judge those disciplines).
A General Performance official must have the expertise to judge a variety of classes in both Western and English Disciplines, including Halter, Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Trail, Western Riding, Reining, Speed Classes, English Pleasure, Road Hack, Show Hack, and ranch. They must also judge and place horses regardless of breed type.
Heritage Circuit Dressage competition requires the use of SHF officials having a minimum of provincial primary dressage judge status or Equestrian Canada dressage officials.
The Heritage Circuit Dressage official must have the expertise to evaluate and score a variety of horse breeds and types and be able to assess the pattern despite a wide difference in their movement.
Heritage Circuit Western Dressage competition requires the use of a WSDAC Judge, or a judge Guest Carded through WSDAC. More information on WSDAC judges can be found here https://westernstyledressage.ca/
Heritage Circuit Hunter competition requires the use of SHF officials having a minimum of provincial primary Hunter/Jumper/Hack judge status or Equestrian Canada HUnter/Jumper/Hack officials.
Heritage Trail Classes (Trail classes only) It is permissible for a show to hire a separate official to judge only Heritage Trail classes provided the judge is an SHF Trail Certified Judge. The main judge (SHF Primary or Senior General Performance) will be considered the senior judge and will be responsible for approving the trail course.
A Trail Judge must be able to score a wide variety of horse and rider types. They must have personal background experience with Trail classes and be able to judge a variety of courses, from very simple (Jr C) to complicated (open).
Prairie Cup Dressage competition (2nd Level, 3rd Level, 4th Level and Advanced) requires the use of SHF Senior Provincial Dressage officials or Equestrian Canada Dressage officials.
Prairie Cup Hunter/Jumper competitions (2’9-3’9 Hunters, all Jumpers) requires the use of SHF officials having a minimum of provincial senior Hack/Hunter/Jumper status or Equestrian Canada Hunter/Jumper officials . All competitions offering over fences classes at the Prairie Cup level must use approved Equestrian Canada or USEF course designer.
A Hunter judge must be able to evaluate and score a variety of horse types and to assess not only how the course is ridden, but the jumping style and movement of the horse.
A Jumper judge is responsible for recording faults and scoring the round based on a combination of jumping and time faults. They are also responsible for blowing the whistle to start the round and upon an elimination.
A certified Hunter/Jumper official will (along with the show committee) have the authority to oversee and/or make calls in the warm-up ring if needed.
Prairie Cup Reining competitions requires the use of NRHA officials. More information on NRHA officials can be found here https://nrha.com/judges
Levels of SHF Provincial Judge Accreditations
Recorded: Is the status where all SHF Provincial judge applicants begin regardless of the discipline they are applying to judge. A recorded official is training to become a judge by completing shadow judging (along side a senior/experienced judge) and any other specified requirements. A Recorded Judge is NOT eligible to judge independently.
Primary: Once all requirements for Recorded Judge status have been completed an application to be moved up to Primary Judge Status can be submitted to the SHF Officials Committee for consideration. An SHF Primary Judge is qualified to judge Provincial Shows at the Heritage level.
Senior: It is recommended that a judge gathers significant experience at the Primary judge level before submitting an application to be moved to Senior Judge status. Once a judge does obtain Senior Judge Status; they are able to mentor (Shadow) Recorded and Primary Status Judges (with the exception of SHF Dressage Judges who must complete all scribing and shadowing with an EC Recorded or above Dressage Judge) and may be considered to lead Provincial Judge training.
Application Process - See Discipline Tab Below
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF General Performance Recorded |
Must: 1 - be a current SHF individual member 2 – be minimum 18 years of age 3 – submit General Performance Recorded Judge application to the SHF office General Performance Judge Application 4 – have General Performance competition experience (proof or traceable) 5 – provide two references (one must be from a SHF Senior Judge) 6 - attend an SHF Provincial General Performance Judge workshop 7 – obtain current SHF Rulebook (Available online at SHF rulebook or hard print copy can be purchased) 8 – after attending judge clinic write and pass judge exam with minimum 80% mark 9 - *shadow judge (complete shadowing form) at minimum 3 General Performance shows. Shadowing must be completed under at least THREE different SHF Senior judges or EC Judges 10 – keep ongoing records of all activities related to maintaining Recorded status After successfully completing 1-9, may make application for ‘Primary’ status. Recommend: -complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ |
Not able to judge independently
*Must complete shadow judging with accredited SHF Senior General Performance Judge or EC General Performance Judge |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF General Performance Primary |
Must: 1 – be a current SHF individual member 2 – be a minimum 21 years of age 3 - have successfully completed ‘Recorded’ status requirements 4 – make application for Primary status to the SHF Office General Performance Judge Application 5 – attend ONE provincial General Performance Judge Clinic or EC GP Judge Clinic every THREE years 6 – after attending judge clinic write and pass judge exam with minimum 80% mark 7 – complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ 8 - judge 7 Heritage Circuit General Performance competitions in a three-year consecutive period 9 - keep records of all activities related to maintaining Primary status, including records of competitions judged After successfully completing 1-9, may make application to apply for ‘Senior’ status. *The SHF Officials Committee reserves the right to request a Primary or Primary applicant to complete additional shadow judging if there is a concern |
May judge Provincial sanctioned General Performance Heritage shows and non-sanctioned shows |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF General Performance Senior |
Must: 1 – be a current SHF individual member 2 – be a minimum 21 years of age 3 - have successfully completed ‘Primary’ status requirements 4 – make application for Senior status to the SHF Office. General Performance Judge Application 5 – attend ONE provincial General Performance Judge Clinic or EC General Performance Judge Clinic every THREE years 6 – after attending judge clinic write and pass judge exam with minimum 80% mark 7 – complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ 8 - keep records of all activities related to maintaining ‘Senior’ status, including records of competitions judged |
May judge Provincial sanctioned General Performance Heritage shows and non-sanctioned shows
Also eligible to mentor (shadow) ‘Recorded’ and ‘Primary’ status SHF General Performance Judges |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF Hunter/Jumper/Hack Recorded |
Must: 1 - be a current SHF individual member 2 – be minimum 18 years of age 3 – submit Hunter/Jumper/Hack Recorded Judge application to the SHF office Hunter/Jumper Judge Application 4 – Applicants requested to provide proof of competition at a minimum height of 3’ 5 – provide two references (one must be from an SHF Senior Judge) 6 - attend an SHF Provincial Hunter/Jumper/Hack Judge workshop or EC Hunter/Jumper Judge Clinic 7 – obtain current SHF Rulebook (Available online here SHF Rulebook or hard print copy can be purchased) it is also recommended to have a current EC Hunter/Jumper/Hack Rule Book 8 – after attending judge clinic write and pass judge exam with minimum 80% mark 9 - *Recorded Status applicants are required to shadow judge with a SHF Senior Hunter/Jumper Judge or an EC Recorded Hunter/Jumper Judge (or above) for a minimum of seven (7) show days. Show days must be under at least three different officials and may be accumulated at multi-day shows. 10 – keep ongoing records of all activities related to maintaining Recorded status After successfully completing 1-9, may make application for ‘Primary’ status. Recommend: -complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ |
Not able to judge independently
*Must complete shadow judging with accredited SHF Senior Hunter/Jumper/Hack Judge or EC Recorded or above Hunter/Jumper Judge |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF Hunter/Jumper/Hack Primary |
Must: 1 - be a current SHF individual member 2 – be minimum 21 years of age 3 - have successfully completed ‘Recorded’ status requirements 4 – make application for Primary Hunter/Jumper/Hack status to the SHF Office Hunter/Jumper Judge Application 5 – attend ONE SHF provincial Hunter/Jumper/Hack Judge Clinic or EC Hunter/Jumper Judge Clinic every THREE years 6 – after attending judge clinic write and pass Hunter/Jumper/Hack judge exam with minimum 80% mark 7 – complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ 8 - keep records of all activities related to maintaining Primary status, including records of competitions judged After successfully completing 1-7, may make application to apply for ‘Senior’ status. It is currently recommended that a person officiates at seven (7) Heritage or EC sanctioned (must be EC carded to judge at EC show) competition within a three-year period before applying for Provincial Senior Hunter/Jumper/Hack Judge Status *The SHF Officials Committee reserves the right to request a Primary or Primary applicant to complete additional shadow judging if there is a concern |
May judge Provincial sanctioned Heritage Hunter shows and non-sanctioned shows |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF Hunter/Jumper/Hack Senior |
Must: 1 – be a current SHF individual member 2 – be a minimum 21 years of age 3 - have successfully completed ‘Primary’ status requirements 4 – make application for Senior status to the SHF Office. Hunter/Jumper Judge Application 5 – attend ONE provincial Hunter/Jumper/Hack Judge Clinic or EC Hunter/Jumper Judge Clinic every THREE years 6 – after attending judge clinic write and pass judge exam with minimum 80% mark 7 – complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ 8 - keep records of all activities related to maintaining ‘Senior’ status, including records of competitions judged |
May judge Provincial sanctioned Heritage Hunter shows and non-sanctioned shows. May also judge any height of Hunter/Jumper classes at sanctioned Prairie Cup competitions provided courses are designed by an accredited EC or USEF course designer who is also officiating at that competition.
Also eligible to mentor (shadow) ‘Recorded’ and ‘Primary’ status SHF Hunter/Jumper/Hack Judges |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF Dressage Recorded |
Must: 1 - be a current SHF individual member 2 – be minimum 18 years of age 3 – submit Dressage Recorded Judge application to the SHF office 4 – provide proof of competition at a minimum of First Level 5 – provide two references (one must be from a certified Dressage Official) 6 - attend an SHF Provincial Dressage Judge workshop or EC Dressage Judge Clinic 7 – obtain current SHF Rulebook (Available online here SHF Rulebook or hard print copy can be purchased) it is also recommended to have a current EC Dressage Rule Book 8 – after attending judge clinic write and pass judge exam with minimum 80% mark 9 - *scribe for an EC Dressage Recorded level or above judge at a show for a minimum of 6 hours from the walk/trot level to First Level 10 - *Shadow judge with an EC Dressage Recorded or above judge at a show for a minimum of 25 rides from Walk/Trot to First Level 11 – keep ongoing records of all activities related to maintaining Recorded status After successfully completing 1-10, may make application for ‘Primary’ status. Recommend: -complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ |
Not able to judge independently
*Must complete shadow judging and scribing with an EC Recorded level or above judge |
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF Dressage Primary |
Must: 1 - be a current SHF individual member 2 – be minimum 21 years of age 3 - have successfully completed ‘Recorded’ status requirements 4 – make application for Primary Dressage status to the SHF Office 5 – attend ONE SHF provincial Dressage Judge Clinic or EC Dressage Judge Clinic every THREE years 6 – after attending judge clinic write and pass Dressage judge exam with minimum 80% mark 7 – complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ 8 - keep records of all activities related to maintaining Primary status, including records of competitions judged After successfully completing 1-7, may make application to apply for ‘Senior’ status. It is currently recommended that a person officiates for at least 3 years before applying for Provincial Senior Dressage Status *The SHF Officials Committee reserves the right to request a Primary or Primary applicant to complete additional shadow judging or scribing if there is a concern |
May judge Provincial sanctioned Heritage Dressage shows and non-sanctioned shows |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF Dressage Senior |
Must: 1 - be a current SHF individual member 2 – be minimum 21 years of age 3 - have successfully completed ‘Primary’ status requirements 4 – make application for Senior Dressage status to the SHF Office 5 - Senior Dressage applicants must also: * Provide proof of competition at a minimum of 2nd Level * Scribe for an EC Dressage Recorded level or above judge at a show for a minimum of 6 hours from the First level to Forth Level * Shadow judge with an EC Dressage Recorded or above judge at a show for a minimum of 25 rides from First Level to Fourth Level 6 – attend ONE SHF provincial Dressage Judge Clinic or EC Dressage Judge Clinic every THREE years 7 – after attending judge clinic write and pass Dressage judge exam with minimum 80% mark 8 – complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ 9 - keep records of all activities related to maintaining ‘Senior’ status, including records of competitions judged |
May judge Provincial sanctioned Heritage and Prairie Cup Dressage shows and non-sanctioned shows.
*All scribing and shadow judging for SHF Dressage Judges must be done under an EC Recorded or Higher Dressage Judge. |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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Western Dressage |
Heritage Circuit shows may offer Western Dressage classes provided an accredited WSDAC official is hired to judge Certification process through WSDAC |
WSDAC Classes |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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SHF Trail Judge Certification |
Must: 1 - be a current SHF individual member 2 – be minimum 21 years of age 3 – Make application for SHF Trail Judge Certification Trail Certification Application To the SHF Office including information on personal background experience in Trail as it relates to competition, coaching, training and judging history 4 – Provide at least One (1) personal reference letter from a person in the equine industry 5 - Order or download a Current Heritage/Prairie Cup Handbook or Trail Horse Judging Booklet found here SHF Rulebook 6 - Attend a SHF Heritage Trail Judge Clinic or SHF General Performance judge’s clinic once every three(3) years 7 - after attending judge clinic write and pass Trail judge exam with minimum 80% mark 8 – complete free Respect in Sport Module found here https://sasksrc.respectgroupinc.com/ After successfully completing 1-8, may make application to apply for SHF Trail Judge status. |
Eligibility to judge Heritage Trail Classes ONLY |
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Judge Status |
Application Process |
Eligible to Judge |
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Reining (Prairie Cup) |
Prairie Cup shows offering Reining classes must use an accredited NRHA judge Certification process through NRHA |
Prairie Cup Reining Classes |
About Shadow Judging
The proper protocol for arranging your shadow judging requirements is to contact the show organizer of the event you would like to shadow judge at. The show organizer will either handle the arrangements with the show’s hired judge for your shadow judging activities or the show will allow you to get in contact directly with the judge. Be certain that you make shadow judging arrangements with judge(s) who are qualified to act as a mentor Judge.
As the Recorded (Shadow) judge you should come very well studied and prepared (with SHF rulebooks and paper/pens) and appropriately attired. A shadow judge should conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner towards the main judge, show organizer, all competitors, and spectators. A shadow judge has no authority and is there to learn by watching, listening, and asking questions when time allows.
The Recorded judge should also provide the main judge with a shadow judge form to be completed by the main judge. All shadow judge forms need to be sent to the SHF Office.
Maintaining Provincial Judge Status
- Attend appropriate discipline specific Judge clinic once every Three (3) years
- After attending judge clinic; complete discipline specific judges exam (achieving mark of 80% or higher)
- Keep records of all activities related to maintaining Judge status, including records of competitions judged
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