Dressage NSW Judges

E/ F and G LEVEL SEMINAR
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
With the support of ACTDA and the backing of Dressage NSW, the second of our Regional Seminar Series for 2026 will take place with Judge Educator and A Level judge, Nell Marshman.
G level theory - Monday 21st Sept at 7pm on Zoom.
E/F theory - Wednesday 23rd Sept at 7pm on Zoom.
The practical seminar will be held on Saturday 26th Sept at Equestrian Park, Cotter Rd, Canberra.
Times will be advised closer to the date.
These sessions are workshops and you will need to complete both theory and practical at your level for this to count as a seminar for accreditation purposes.
NO CHARGE FOR ZOOM THEORY OR SEMINAR!
Please register on Engage:
https://officialstraining.ensw.org.au/?homeMenuSelection=2
If you have any questions, or have trouble logging into Engage, please contact the DNSW admin secretary, Mary, on [email protected]. She will be only too happy to help!

Calling local volunteers - here is an exciting opportunity to write for high level judge Ricky MacMillan for protocol sessions at Ballodair Park on Tuesday 25th August starting at 10.30am and finishing at 3.00pm AND at SIEC on Wednesday 26th August starting at 10.30am and finishing at 4.30pm.
No need to do the full day - just help out where you can.
We are using the "old fashioned" paper tests and this is an "old fashioned" volunteers gig - all for free!
If you can help please email Mary on [email protected]

The NSW JSC is pleased to announce that our regional judging seminars got off to a flying start this week!

We had 23 attendees at the Zoom theory session on Wednesday and 24 attendees at the weekend for the F/G level practical seminar with FEI A level judge and judge educator Jobina Kennedy.

It was great to see a few new faces coming on board to join the ranks of dressage judges!

Many thanks to Jindera Equestrian Association and the team at Howlong for organising the day and supporting the sport.

And special thanks to Jobina and to all of those who attended, as judges, would-be judges and, of course, the riders!

No judges = no competitions so we look forward to continuing the momentum and strengthening a healthy, inclusive education pathway.

Don’t forget, the next seminar is at ACTDA’s September competition!

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our two judges who recently took out ENSW 2026 Annual Awards - Jobina Kennedy and Helen Zimic!

The ENSW annual award winners for dressage are selected by the DNSW committee from nominations submitted by clubs and others.

Official of the Year - Jobina Kennedy (FEI Level 3 judge)

Jobina is a highly accomplished international FEI dressage judge, national A-Level judge, Young Horse judge, judge educator, mentor and coach, based in regional Albury, NSW.

In March of this year, Jobina was one of just 15 international judges from 12 countries to be promoted from FEI Level 2 to FEI Level 3 after a testing examination at the CDI Ornago in Italy. (Level 3 was previously known as 4-star level.)

Over a career spanning more than 25 years, Jobina has evolved from a competitive rider into one of Australia's most respected governance figures and educational authorities in the sport. She is a highly respected and sought-after judge and plays a key role in major events such as SYDNEY CDI - International Dressage Event, Willinga Park CDI and national and State championships. As well, she judges at small show and regional events in her area, where her passion for supporting grass-roots dressage is evident.

Jobina contributes significantly, in her official roles, to the governance and quality-control systems of Australian dressage. She is a key representative on the Equestrian Australia Dressage Officials Committee (EADOC) and serves as a valued judge educator advisor to the NSW Judges’ Sub-Committee (JSC).

Jobina helps to oversee training, assessments, and mentorship for the State's most senior A-level and B-level judges and young horse judges as well as conducting vital training clinics to support judge education for lower level judges in the regions.

Services to Sport - Helen Zimic (Manning Valley Dressage and Hacking Club)

Helen is an E Level judge and a para judge but finds time to be a dedicated volunteer with Manning Valley Dressage and Hacking Club since its inception, serving in numerous roles including as a competitor, committee member, president, treasurer, judges' coordinator and judge. She has been a driving force behind the development of the club's facilities at Taree Showground and has made a lasting contribution to regional dressage. Known for her caring and supportive nature, Helen generously gives her time, spending many weekends judging at regional competitions and mentoring and encouraging fellow members and competitors.

Kudos to these two wonderful women - the sport simply would not exist without the contributions of dedicated people like them.

F/G LEVEL SEMINAR!
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

With the wonderful support of Jindera Equestrian Association and the backing of Dressage NSW, the first of our Regional Seminar Series for 2026 kicks off next month with Judge Educator and FEI A Level judge, Jobina Kennedy.

The Zoom theory session will be held on Wednesday, August 12, at 7pm. Everyone welcome!

The practical seminar will be held on Sunday 16 August, registering at 9.30am for a 10am start at Howlong (more details on registration).

These sessions are workshops and you will need to complete both sessions to count as a seminar for accreditation purposes.

Lunch will be provided at the practical seminar.

NO CHARGE FOR ZOOM THEORY OR SEMINAR!

Please register on Engage:

https://officialstraining.ensw.org.au/user_login

If you have any questions, or have trouble logging into Engage, please contact the DNSW admin secretary, Mary, on [email protected]. She will be only too happy to help!

DO YOU HAVE SOME TIME TO SPARE at the NSW STATE DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS?

Can you help us at the NSW Dressage Championships being run at SIEC from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th August this year?

We need scribes for the four days - using electronic scoring. (Thursday will be in the indoor only, at this stage.)

You will receive a yummy lunch and a $50 voucher, half day, $100 for full day, to help with expenses.

And for our more junior judges, it is a great opportunity to learn the language of the levels you may one day judge!

And of course you get to evaluate the brand new surfaces on arena one and two from the best seat in the house, beside an experienced judge.

If you can help, please contact Maryann on [email protected].

Congratulations on the judging front:

Christine Hill has made the jump up to D level, and we are thrilled to add another medium level judge to the ranks!

Anne Hawkins (pictured) has now joined the official list as a G level judge. Thank you for joining us and lending your support to the sport. We look forward to your journey!

We also had more than 20 judges make the most of the Hawkesbury Dressage Festival to undertake sit ins and shadows - so a huge thanks to all of the mentors and judge educators who put in so many hours to make it happen. Thanks also go to Karen Lever for facilitating it all, and juggling the judges to ensure that the required level was there on the day to make it work. We all appreciate it!