NLEA Provincial Officials: judges
Are you interested in supporting the equine community and encouraging active participation in sanctioned NLEA shows?
Do you have an interest in local competition and the NLEA Terra Nova Series rulebook? Do you have a sharp eye for detail?
Consider becoming a NLEA Judge!
Competitions wouldn't be competitions without judges - they ensure a safe environment and fair sport for athletes and equines to display their skills.
Local competitions require the use of NLEA approved officials (judges and stewards) to be considered sanctioned. Competition organizers may choose officials from other provinces, Equestrian Canada (some restrictions apply), Discipline/Breed Specific (judges), and/or NLEA Provincial Officials!
Our goal is to recruit and sustain a local pool of capable NLEA provincial officials to foster local growth and opportunity in our provincial level competitions and to showcase a unique side of competition participation.
The following requirements came into effect April 1st, 2025.
Do you have an interest in local competition and the NLEA Terra Nova Series rulebook? Do you have a sharp eye for detail?
Consider becoming a NLEA Judge!
Competitions wouldn't be competitions without judges - they ensure a safe environment and fair sport for athletes and equines to display their skills.
Local competitions require the use of NLEA approved officials (judges and stewards) to be considered sanctioned. Competition organizers may choose officials from other provinces, Equestrian Canada (some restrictions apply), Discipline/Breed Specific (judges), and/or NLEA Provincial Officials!
Our goal is to recruit and sustain a local pool of capable NLEA provincial officials to foster local growth and opportunity in our provincial level competitions and to showcase a unique side of competition participation.
The following requirements came into effect April 1st, 2025.
Duties
NLEA judges are responsible for preserving the standards of equine sport and are to display the highest standard of integrity and professionalism possible at all times. Duties may include, but are not restricted to the following:
Qualifications & Requirements
Interested individuals must have the following qualifications:
Application Process
Individuals interested in becoming a NLEA provincial official judge are required to submit the following:
Applications will be considered as they are received. Incomplete applications will be rejected. Selected applicants will receive a NLEA certificate of approval and your name and contact information will be added to a list of approved officials by the NLEA and posted to the website if consent is given.
Approved applicants are not guaranteed judging opportunities at any time. Competition organizers/show hosts are solely responsible for requesting services from their selected official(s). Any and all contract negotiation, including fees and payments, are between the interested host party and the official (i.e. the NLEA have no financial obligation for any parties at any time).
The NLEA reserves the right to remove approved officials at any time.
Please email any questions or concerns to vicepresident@equestriannl.ca.
NLEA judges are responsible for preserving the standards of equine sport and are to display the highest standard of integrity and professionalism possible at all times. Duties may include, but are not restricted to the following:
- Providing appropriate pattern designs to competition organizers or approving designs by other experienced individuals.
- Confirming proper pattern set-up for safety and fairness for all competitors.
- Ensuring the general safety of all competitors who enter the show ring.
- Preparing and using accurate judge score cards, pattern sheets and other applicable documentation.
- Objectively and/or subjectively judging and scoring classes based on the rules and guidelines in the Terra Nova Series rulebook.
- Enforcing the Terra Nova Series rulebook.
- Working with and offering constructive feedback to competitors and competition organizers where appropriate.
- Deny participation to any athlete who violates the rules, and/or is deemed to be acting unsafely or acting inhumanely to any horse.
- Stop a class in the event a horse or rider should be considered unsafe.
Qualifications & Requirements
Interested individuals must have the following qualifications:
- Working knowledge and understanding of the Terra Nova Series Rulebook and supporting documents.
- NLEA Member in Good Standing.
- At least 19 years of age and reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Be available to judge NLEA sanctioned shows upon host request.
- Good interpersonal communication skills and a sharp eye for detail.
- Follow rulebook guidelines regarding conflicts of interest.
- First aid training (human and/or equine) is not mandatory but encouraged.
- Equestrian competition volunteering experience is considered an asset (e.g. steward, show secretary, safety officer, course designer, announcer, or scribe).
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals active within the horse industry
- Completed RNC/RCMP Vulnerable Sector Check (must be updated every 3 years)
- Equine Guelph "Provincial Foundations Officials" course for NLEA
- One (1) NLEA approved Safe Sport course:
- One (1) NLEA approved Concussion Awareness course:
Application Process
Individuals interested in becoming a NLEA provincial official judge are required to submit the following:
- NLEA Judge Application Form (see below)
- Application Fee $20.00
- Provide proof of at minimum 10 shadowing/mentoring hours under NLEA approved judge(s) at a minimum of 2 NLEA sanctioned competitions within the last 2 years. (minimum of 20 hours total)
- All supervising officiants must submit a NLEA Provincial Officials: Mentoring Form before or at the time of your submission.
Applications will be considered as they are received. Incomplete applications will be rejected. Selected applicants will receive a NLEA certificate of approval and your name and contact information will be added to a list of approved officials by the NLEA and posted to the website if consent is given.
Approved applicants are not guaranteed judging opportunities at any time. Competition organizers/show hosts are solely responsible for requesting services from their selected official(s). Any and all contract negotiation, including fees and payments, are between the interested host party and the official (i.e. the NLEA have no financial obligation for any parties at any time).
The NLEA reserves the right to remove approved officials at any time.
Please email any questions or concerns to vicepresident@equestriannl.ca.