Module 1
Foundations
The rule book and permitted saddlery, the training scale and the influence of the seat, the basic paces and movements, and a final test.
Enter at A
The future of the sport depends on good judging.
Every rider who comes down the centre line deserves a judge who sees clearly, marks fairly, and explains why. Across Southern and Eastern Africa, shows are far apart and senior judges are few. The FEI Group IX Academy exists to change that: the online foundation of the FEI ESEE programme, three modules that take you from the rule book and the training scale to five complete tests judged on video, and on to the practical course with the FEI experts.
3
modules of theory, video and assessment.
33
chapters, each a short reading or video with a quiz.
5
full tests to judge on video, Novice to Grand Prix.
80%
pass mark to move on. Quizzes can be retaken.
Test sheet, judge at CMarks
| 1 | Enter in collected trot. Halt, immobility, salute. Proceed in collected trot. | 7.5 |
| 2 | Track left. Medium trot. | 7.0 |
| 3 | Shoulder-in left. | 8.0 |
| 4 | Half circle 10 m, returning to the track. | 7.0 |
| 5 | Medium walk. Free walk on a long rein. | 6.5 |
Rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, collectionReference judge
How the programme works
Four steps. One straight line.
Your federation nominates you, you study online, you judge real tests on video, and then you attend the practical course. Every certificate along the way is dated and can be verified on this site.
- Step 1
Apply through your federation
Candidates are nominated by their National Federation. Apply below and the FEI Group IX education committee confirms your place with your federation.
- Step 2
Study online at your own pace
Each chapter is a short reading or video followed by a quiz. You need 80% to move on, and you may retake quizzes. Lessons can be saved for reading offline.
- Step 3
Judge real tests on video
Module 3 ends with five complete tests, from Novice to Grand Prix, which you mark movement by movement and compare with the reference judge.
- Step 4
Attend the practical course
Completing all three modules earns a dated certificate for each, your entry ticket to the FEI ESEE practical course with the FEI experts.
The three modules
Module 2
The training scale and the Harmony mark
Applying the training scale movement by movement, and the single FEI collective mark, Harmony: what it measures and how it relates to the movement marks.
Module 3
Advanced movements and judging tests
The advanced movements from transitions and extensions to piaffe and passage, then five complete tests to judge on video.
Reference books: the FEI Dressage Rules and General Regulations, the FEI Handbook, and your National Federation's rules. The programme is supported by FEI Solidarity.
The interactive moment
Halt at X. Give your mark.
Look at the halt. Slide to the mark you would give. Then see what the reference judge gave.
Example movement: halt at X
Reference judge7.5
"Square, straight and immobile. Could be a little more uphill."
Proof
Recognised where you judge.
The Academy is the online foundation of the FEI Educative Sport Equestrian Events (ESEE) programme. It gives National Federations a standardised, internationally recognised certification path, and it gives you a dated certificate for every module you complete.
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Marked against the reference judge
Every video test you mark is compared, movement by movement, with the reference judge's sheet.
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Built for our connections
Short chapters, lessons saved for reading offline, and a site that stays light on data. It works on a phone in the shade of a horsebox.
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Certificates anyone can verify
Each module earns a dated certificate, and a federation or show organiser can verify it on this site in seconds.
Judging is a service to the riding community.Dressage South Africa, Judges Information Pack
Questions from the warm-up
The things people ask before they register. Ask us anything else at the form below.
Candidates are nominated by their National Federation, and each federation sets its own riding and experience requirements. The Academy asks for a good eye and the time to use it.
Thirty-three chapters, about nine hours of study in all, at your own pace. Most candidates spread it over a few weeks. The practical course with the FEI experts follows once all three certificates are earned.
The Academy is the online foundation of the FEI ESEE programme, and it gives National Federations a standardised, internationally recognised certification path. Your federation nominates you, and the FEI Group IX education committee confirms your place.
The Academy is free for members of a Group IX national federation. Your federation's own membership fees still apply.
Yes. Chapters are short, lessons can be saved for reading offline, and this site itself is light. If your connection drops, you pick up where you stopped.
You retake it. You need 80% to move on, and you may retake quizzes. Module 3's five video tests are compared with the reference judge, so you always know where you stand.
Yes. The Academy runs in English, French and Portuguese.
Apply
Halt at C. Salute. Apply.
Candidates are nominated by their National Federation. Apply here, and the FEI Group IX education committee confirms your place with your federation.
Free for Group IX members
Thank you. Your application is in. The FEI Group IX education committee will confirm your place with your federation.