Western Dressage Judge License from NAWD

Western Dressage Judges at North American Western Dressage go through a very rigorous examination process for gaining their NAWD Judging License. The exam includes a written test, followed by a demonstration of skills, scoring competency, and accurate comments on a wide range of tests.  To become a NAWD Licensed judge, you must be a member of NAWD and be 18 years of age or older but we welcome anyone to take the exam for educational purposes.

Western Dressage Judges must have an understanding that Western Dressage is not merely dressage in a Western Saddle, but is the application of classical principles to the western horse.

We must always judge a horse according to its conformation and the demonstration of classical training scale elements. Our judges do not reward unnatural gaits. Bigger is not necessarily better.

A Western Dressage Judge License from NAWD does not allow you to judge USEF dressage competitions, as we are an independent organization.

Our judges will not reward behind the vertical riding:

NAWD and DOD have been given guidance that a score of no greater than 4 should be given for any movement in which a rider guides a horse purposefully or allows a horse to move in a posture that places the horse Behind the Vertical (BTV).  If other issues are associated with the movement, the score may be lower at the discretion of the judge.  Each judge who judges for NAWD or DOD has an obligation to uphold and follow this guidance.

Our judges give honest feedback:

Licenses are awarded to those individuals who are

• Able to see the horse as an individual, regardless of conformation or breed.
• Committed to NAWDy principles of education and horse welfare
• Willing to combine an accurate evaluation with detailed comments, giving the rider an excellent roadmap for further development.

These judges continue to undergo training. Those that are approved to judge for Traditional Dressage do so through the Dressage on a Dime judge licensing program.