Sport Judges

The Sport Judge is an essential role at any competition – National Ranking or schooling show. The judge or judges are responsible for the application of the USIHC and international (FEIF Sport) rules. The judge(s) are tasked with translating a performance into a mark using the FEIF Sport Judges' Guidelines.

There are several steps along the way to becoming an experienced judge with sufficient knowledge and skill to judge at the top international tournaments around the world. The progression is the same throughout the entire Icelandic horse world. The first step is to work as a secretary (scribe) for an experienced judge. Next is to pass a national seminar and begin to build experience. The judge continues to attend seminars at the national level until he reaches the top national license. The final step is to attend the FEIF International Sport Judge examination.

In the United States, we have a four-level system which integrates into the FEIF system. It is a contiguous program, in which each step builds up to the next.

• USIHC Sport Judge C
  Judge has passed the US exam on the "C" level and is entitled to judge schooling shows.
  Requirements
  
  • Participation in a national Sport Judges seminar, held by a FEIF International Sport Judge, approved by Sport Leader and Education Leader.
  • Candidate has to be a USIHC member in good standing
  • Candidate has to reside in the United States
  • Candidate has to pass the US test on C-level
• USIHC Sport Judge B
  Judge has passed the US exam on the "B" level and is entitled to judge NR shows when there is more than one judge and WR shows when the majority of judges are FEIF International Sport Judges. It is possible to pass the test on B-Level at the first attempt, if the required score is achieved.
  Requirements
  
  • Participation in a national Sport Judges seminar, held by a FEIF International Sport Judge, approved by Sport Leader and Education Leader.
  • Candidate has to be a USIHC member in good standing
  • Candidate has to reside in the United States
  • Candidate has to pass the US test on B-level
• USIHC Sport Judge A
  Judge has passed the FEIF exam on the national level and is entitled to judge all tournaments, including WorldRanking events but not the World Championships.
  Requirements
  • After passing the test on B-Level, the candidate has to apply for the participation in a FEIF Sport Judges Examination through the Sport Leader and the Education Leader and with the agreement of the USIHC Board.
  • Candidate has to be a USIHC member in good standing
  • Candidate has to reside in the United States
  • Candidate has to pass the FEIF test on national level.
• FEIF International Sport Judge
  Judge has passed the FEIF exam on the international level and is entitled to judge all tournaments, including World Championships.
  Requirements
  • After passing the FEIF test on national level, the candidate has to apply for the participation in a FEIF Sport Judges Examination through the Sport Leader and Education Leader and with the agreement of the USIHC Board
  • Candidate has to be a USIHC member in good standing
  • Candidate has to reside in the United States
  • Candidate has to pass the FEIF test on international level.

Current Judges

The following judges are currently licensed in the United States:
Will Covert - FEIF International Sport Judge, Refer to FEIF
Alexandra Dannenmann - FEIF International Sport Judge, Refer to FEIF
Freija Thye - USIHC Sport Judge A, December 2024
Alexandra Pregitzer - USIHC Sport Judge B, December 2024
Jana Meyer - USIHC Sport Judge B, December 2024
Lucy Nold - USIHC Sport Judge B, December 2024
Deborah Cook - USIHC Sport Judge C, December 2024
Paetra Jane Hennigar - USIHC Sport Judge B, December 2024
Coralie Denmeade - USIHC Sport Judge B, December 2024
Alexandra Montan Gray- USIHC Sport Judge B, December 2024

Continuing Education

Judges holding a USIHC license are required to submit proof of judging, co-judging or scribing and continuing education in order to stay current. 

Requirements for ongoing education:

• Eight (8) hours of ongoing education per year or alternatively sixteen (16) hours of ongoing education every two years, in person or online.
• Seminars have to be pre-approved by the Sport and Education Leader and proof of participation is required.
• Seminars must total a combined minimum of 8 hours per year or 16 hrs per two year period, e.g. one day per year, two days per two year period or a variety of shorter sessions that add up to those hours satisfy the requirement
• Seminars can be local, national or international

Requirements for practical judging and scribing:

• USIHC Sport Judges C: minimum of two (2) days of judging at a schooling show or two (2) days of scribing for a FEIF International Sport Judge (US NR or US WR show) or a mix of both, within a time frame of two (2) years
• USIHC Sport Judges B and A: a minimum of two (2) days of judging, co-judging or scribing (for a FEIF International Sport Judge) at a US National Ranking or FEIF World Ranking show, within a time frame of one (1) year. Alternatively four (4) days within a time frame of two (2) years. Scribing will count for a maximum of half the required days.
• USIHC Virtual shows: 25 Riders will count as one (1) full day of judging.
• Shows in other countries may count towards the judging credit but should get pre-approved by the sport and education leader 

Proof of fulfillment must be sent to education@icelandics.org and sport@icelandics.org by the end of each calendar year.

Time frame: 

The minimum judging requirements and ongoing education requirements should ideally be met annually,  alternatively in a two year window within each two year licensing period.  

For unforeseen or difficult circumstances, there is a grace period of maximum six (6) months to fulfill the requirements in the first half of the following calendar year and submit proof of fulfillment. Those currencies will count towards the previous two year licensing period.

Non-fulfillment:

If a judge is not able to provide proof of currency until the end of the license period (see exception for difficult circumstances and grace period) , their license will be put on hold and they will be removed from the judges section of the USIHC website until they catch-up on the missing proof. 

In case a judge does not provide any proof of currency within 2 years of license suspension, they will have to participate in a judges licensing course again.

Effective:

These requirements are effective as of January 1st, 2023.