Read on to learn more about the Canadian ground jury member at the Lima 2019 Pan Am Games!
Brenda Minor
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Brenda Minor
Role at the 2019 Pan Am Games: Dressage Ground Jury Member
Credentials: FEI 4* Dressage Judge and Dressage Judge for Young Horses; Equestrian Canada (EC) certified Senior Dressage Judge, English Competition Coach Specialist
Years Spent as a Certified Official: 24
Equestrian background: I have been riding since I was 13, and owned my first horse at 16, riding and showing western games. At 18, my then boyfriend, now husband, Carl, bought me 10 dressage lessons with the hope that I would get it out of my system. I competed through the levels successfully up to and including Grand Prix, and was Provincial Medium Champion. I obtained my coaching certification with help from Barb Mitchell on the jumping side of it, then wanted to see what the judges were looking for and how I could improve in the show ring. I discovered that I enjoyed the challenge of judging and trying to help riders get better.
Biggest accomplishment: My five years as EC Officials Committee Chair. I’d been on the Officials Committee for many years working with interested and committed people. Our Committee implemented many improvements over the years including newsletters, mentoring possibilities and apprenticeship programs, and I felt that we made a difference.
Observations on dressage’s evolution: Dressage has become so incredibly competitive. The horses are such amazing athletes and there is so much quality in the international ring that even when there is a mistake in a test, it is quite possible that that team might win the class.
Standout performance you’ve witnessed: Totilas and Edward Gal had a huge impact on me. I remember seeing them in a video and thinking, ‘Yes, that’s very nice.’ Then, going to Olympia in London and seeing them compete live overwhelmed me. Also, seeing Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro and their harmony, and Isabell Werth and her precision.
Advice to aspiring judges: All judges should welcome every opportunity to judge – let the training scale be your guide. When you have the opportunity to panel judge, think of it as a wonderful learning opportunity. It is incredibly important to have open dialogue with other judges on the panel and appreciate what they see. You may not have seen what they saw, but you have to be able to appreciate each other’s point of view and to discuss why your score may have been different.
Hopes for a successful Lima 2019 Pan Am Games: That every athlete travels safely, and each competitor comes away knowing they performed at their top level and were rewarded accordingly.
Kim Morrison
Photo Credit: Greg O’Brien
Role at the 2019 Pan Am Games: Jumping Ground Jury President
Credentials: FEI Level 4 Jumping Judge; EC certified Senior Jumping Judge
Years Spent as a Certified Official: 25
Equestrian background: I started riding at six years of age. I competed until the age 25 traveling all over North America, including at the World Cup level. I decided to become a judge to give back to the sport that had given me so much.
Biggest accomplishment: I have done a couple of World Equestrian Games, the London 2012 Olympics and five World Cup finals, but I would say it is bringing up young judges that makes me the most proud.
Observations on show jumping’s evolution: In the 47 years I have been involved in this sport, the biggest change that is evident is globalization. People are no longer confined to a single continent for their show circuit, nor where they source their horses or owners. Prize money has increased dramatically, incentivizing this mobility.
Standout performance you’ve witnessed: It is hard to pick one as I have seen many over the years, but I always loved it when the Canadians did really well at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. I was present when Hickstead won the CN International in 2011 in a great jump-off, and when the Canadian team won the ‘Masters’ in the 2015 BMO Nations Cup.
Advice to aspiring judges: First, judging is not about power, credentials or ego; it is a privilege. It is about ensuring fair sport, working with and supporting your team, and giving your best on a daily basis. Lastly, don’t be in a hurry to move up the ladder. Taking the time to truly understand where you stand and how you will deal with controversial issues, conflict, and chaos, yet still do your job, will put you in good stead to move your career forward as a judge to be trusted.
Hopes for a successful Lima 2019 Pan Am Games: A successful Pan Am Games would be my judging team coming together to facilitate fair, clean sport, with the best individual and team winning. If I can add a Canadian spin to this, I wish for all the Canadian squads – no matter the sport – to come home as winners.
Jo Young
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jo Young
Role at the 2019 Pan Am Games: Eventing Ground Jury Member
Credentials: FEI Level 3 Eventing Judge and Level 1 Eventing Steward; EC certified Eventing Judge, Eventing Jumper Judge, Medium Para-Dressage Judge, Medium Dressage Judge
Years Spent as a Certified Official: 28
Equestrian background: I was born in England, a typical horse-mad girl. I was a Pony Clubber and competed in eventing, dressage and show jumping. On leaving school, I trained in Europe in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and France. I returned to the UK and took my Coaches exams, started my own horse business, and started judging. I emigrated to Canada in 1977.
Biggest accomplishment: I have judged two Pan American Games, Winnipeg and Rio de Janeiro. I have judged 2*, 3*, 4* and 5* events throughout North, Central and South America, Australia and Europe. I have been honoured to judge them all.
Observations on eventing’s evolution: I have watched the sport evolve into a far safer sport for both riders and horses. I experienced the days when we had phases A, B, C, D and E, and had to weigh competitors to ensure that the horses carried a minimum weight. Riders could fall, remount and continue; many times injured or concussed. In the days when I was eventing, fences were built of materials that were fairly flimsy and, if we hit them hard enough, they broke. The fences were more “natural”, built in fence lines and between trees. They then became far more solid and immoveable. Then we saw the advent of the “skinny” and portable fences, which resulted in an increase in technicality and a loss of the natural appearance of fences.
Standout performance you’ve witnessed: The 1978 World Championships. The Canadian Team rode steadily and competently around the cross-country course at Kentucky in extreme heat and humidity; they did not try to make the time, but instead looked after their horses. The rest of the world was hell-bent on being heroes, and consequently they did not all complete. Canada won the gold against all odds. There was an embarrassing pause while the band tried to find a copy of the Canadian national anthem to play at the award ceremonies – it had obviously not been considered necessary to have it on hand!
Advice to aspiring judges: If you wish to become an eventing judge, you must be prepared to work very long days and go through a huge educational process. Before you start officiating, you must be competent judging all three phases and never stop trying to improve your skills. You should not take yourself too seriously and must maintain a strong sense of humour!
Hopes for a successful Lima 2019 Pan Am Games: I would like to see great dressage, and a safe cross-country where the best horses will jump clear around the direct routes but the lesser combinations can complete taking the longer, easier routes. I would like to see sound horses on the final day and some good, clear show jumping rounds. Most of all, I would like to see good sportsmanship from competitors and spectators alike.