Horse Trials

Chief/Assistant Cross Country Judges

A Cross Country Judge will:

Be familiar with and understand the Rules relevant to the Competition. Liaise with the TD and course designer/builder and Committee.
Inspect the course with the above when being flagged and approve or make suggestions as required and check that all calculations and services are in order.
Be Chairperson of the ground jury for cross country.
Always act in a fair and reasonable and diplomatic manner in all matters relating to cross country.
Make sure the briefing of fence judges is clear and not confusing. Check that time-keepers and starters know their job. These people are acting on your behalf.
Brief separately any judges whose fence has a particular problem (perhaps out at the fence) so as to ensure that person understands the situation and so any other judges are not confused.
Move around the course during competition and speak with judges and check all is done the way you wish and answer any queries. It is easier to deal with the matter on the spot rather than later. Fence Judges appreciate your interest in their well-being.
Check the flags are in the correct position and jump judges are in position so they can see the jump correctly prior to the commencement of the competition.
9. Check with scorers, once all competition has been completed, re any queries and deal with them immediately by talking with the fence judge first. If a protest is filed, call your ground jury together and talk to the TD and then follow the correct procedure in this matter.
Check that all appropriate medical and veterinary services have been put in place prior to the day, ie.
- they know they are 'on call'
- they have access to the property
- they know where the venue is, and
- they know the date of the event.
Make any helpful observations and/or recommendations to the committee of the day.

Becoming an Official

How to Become a Horse Trials Technical Delegate (20k PDF)

Send any questions to Allan Ferguson.