USDF/USEF have training programs for dressage judges at the L, r, R and S levels.  It is best to hire a judge that has graduated from one of these programs.  The types of judges are as follows:

An L graduate is a graduate of the USDF L program. Although not a judge in the official sense of the term, they are often referred to as the judge at schooling shows.  L graduates with distinction may become higher level judges.  Click here to open the USDF listing or see the FADS list below.

Licensed Shows: An L judge may not officiate at a licensed show at any level.

Schooling Shows: L judges are the most common type of judge for schooling shows.  It is highly recommended that FADS shows hire an L judge or higher.

An r judge is a graduate of the USDF L and USEF r programs.  Click here to open the USDF listing or see the FADS list below.

Licensed Shows:  Recorded Dressage judge may officiate at Second Level and below and may not officiate at the Third Level and above.  Recorded Dressage judges may not officiate in FEI or USEF Dressage Tests for 4 and 5year old horses or in FEI Pony Tests.  Recorded Dressage judges may officiate in Eventing or FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage Tests equivalent to Second Level or below.  Recorded Dressage judges may officiate in Eventing Competitions at the Intermediate Level or below.

Schooling Shows:  An r judge may judge at a dressage schooling show.  Their fee is usually higher than that of L judges.

An R judge is a graduate of the USDF L, USEF r and USEF R programs.  Click here to open the USDF listing or see the FADS list below.

Licensed Shows: Registered Dressage judges may officiate in classes at Fourth Level and below except for FEI Dressage Tests for 5 and 6-year-old horses. Registered Dressage judges may officiate in FEI Junior Tests, FEI Pony Tests, FEI Childrens Tests, FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage Tests, FEI and USEF Dressage Tests for 4 year old  horses, and USEF and FEI Eventing Dressage Tests at all levels.  Registered Dressage judges may not officiate in any classes above Fourth Level.

Schooling Shows: An R judge may judge at a dressage schooling show.  Their fee is usually higher than that of L and r judges.

A Senior judge is a graduate of the USDF L program, USEF r program,and USEF R program.  Click here to open the USDF listing.

Licensed Shows: S dressage judges may officiate in all Federation and FEI Level Dressage classes at Federation Licensed Competitions.

Schooling Shows: S dressage judges are rarely hired to judge at a schooling show except perhaps as a favor to a friend or organization.  Their fee would be higher than L, r and R judges.

The FEI trains and certifies higher levels of judges (FEI 2*, FEI 3*, FEI 4* and FEI 5*); however, they are very rarely hired for schooling shows.

The USEA trains judges for all phases of eventing (dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping).  People that have completed the first phase of this training (dressage) are eligible to judge dressage schooling shows

Click here for more information on L, r, R and S dressage judges and the training requirements (Dressage Today web site).

Click here for more information on FEI judges and the training requirements (FEI web site).


The following are Region 1 L judges that have judged at FADS shows (listed by USDF on 28 Oct 2025):

NAMECITY, STEMAILPHONE
Laura Lee BeetleHampstead, MDllbbhorse@gmail.com(410) 596-4577
Julianne BrownsonBerryville, VAjgbrownson@gmail.com(540) 454-2637
Mary CallanGreat Falls, VAmary.callan1@gmail.com(540) 454-2637
Joanna Gray-RandleRound Hill, VAinfo@grayhorsedressage.com(540) 441-3937
Annmari IngersollLeaonardtown, MDaingy@cheerful.com(301) 247-8997
Carolyn (Dilly) JacksonCharles Town, WVmandrakefarm@gmail.com(304) 283-6959
Lauren KimmelDickerson, MDlaurenkimmel@icloud.com(240) 888-8076
Carol LippaWest Chester, PAcflippa16@gmail.com(267) 586-8388
Aviva NebeskyBowie, MDhorsepenhillfarm@aol.com(240) 475-8975
Evelyn Pfoutz-MartinWestminster, MDcoolbreezedressage@gmail.com(717) 422-6203
Shera SolomonFrederick, MDsassporthorses@gmail.com(301) 437-0293
Carol ThomasWarrenton, VAEquiHarmonyLLC@gmail.com(703) 966-4349

The following are Region 1 r judges that have judged at FADS shows (listed by USDF on 28 Oct 2025):

Jennifer BrownMonkton, MDjenna@dressagelifestyle.com(561) 906-8140
Donna GatchellNokesville, VAdonna@donnagatchelldressage.com(703) 303-3446
Peggy ParisoFrederick, MDppariso24@gmail.com(240) 506-1895

The following are Region 1 R judges that have judged at FADS shows (listed by USDF on 28 Oct 2025):

Jessie GinsburgFalls Church, VAsardburg@aol.com(703) 927-8270
Angela VossBaltimore, MDvossdressage@msn.com(908) 752-7531

If you see an error in the above list, please email me at LeslieRaulin@gmail.com.

If you are an “L” or higher level dressage judge and wish to have your information added to this list, email LeslieRaulin@gmail.com with your information.