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Saturday, January 08 2022 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Becoming a USEF Licensed Judge: An Impactful Passion in a Space Where Most Don’t Look Like Me

By Rob Jacobs 

When did you discover the love for judging equestrian competitions?

Fall of 2009 while a junior in college, I took a course called “Form to Function.” This was a course on judging different disciplines in the equestrian industry. Hunters and hunter seat equitation interested me most, considering most of my riding experience was in those two areas. The course was taught by a nationally recognized judge who is also a FEI steward. The knowledge and skills I was able to learn in that course was relevant and helpful. That course is where I discovered my passion for judging hunters and equitation and have since continued to develop that passion. 

How have you developed your skills judging horse shows over the past decade?

Once I learned important things about judging in a classroom and seminar environment, the best way I developed my skills was to spend a decade judging schooling shows and C-rated competitions. During that time, I was able to fine-tune the best way for me to take notes as well as create symbols I understood for various issues that may occur in the ring. Another helpful strategy was to talk to other judges who were more experienced than I. I would ask questions about their note-taking strategies and would also ask for things they’ve learned to do and not do over their judging career. 

Is it beneficial to have a mentor in the sport when becoming a licensed official?

Absolutely. I have two mentors: Bob Crandall and Carla Wennberg. Both have been judges for over 20 years and have been in equestrian sports for over 40 years. Their wisdom, experience, mentorship and friendship have given me an opportunity to learn things faster than I otherwise would. 

How has judging horse shows benefited you in other areas of the sport?

Judging competitions the past decade has given me a well-rounded view of horsemanship, training and preparation. It has given me opportunities to watch and learn from different types of horses and riders. Judging has also given me an accurate perspective of what judges look for at all levels of the sport. Understanding these expectations, specific to level, has allowed me to help students better. 

How do you believe being a minority judge will further promote diversity in the sport?

I work closely with USHJA’s Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Committee and we work with USEF as a part of our efforts. We don’t have an exact number of minority licensed hunter judges, but we believe it’s not a two-digit number—there are just not that many of us in the booth judging. I hope to see more minority faces not only at nationally recognized competitions, but also becoming licensed officials. It’s my hope that it only takes one person to make a difference. There may be minority exhibitors that don’t believe it’s possible to reach their goals past being an exhibitor. I believe being in the judge’s booth is likely to positively impact and encourage those who may not know it’s possible. If it’s possible for me, then it’s surely possible. I will wait a few years before I submit a promotion application to obtain my “R” judges card. The “large R” or Registered judge is the highest license level. The “r” or “small r” is a recorded license, which is what I recently received.  

BIO 

Rob Jacobs is a trainer, judge and clinician now based in Seattle, Washington, but he’s competed up and down both coasts in “AA” hunter shows. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Andrews University in 2011, where he studied politics and equine business management and was instrumental on the IHSA and “A” show teams. Highlights include winning IHSA Nationals in 2009 and winning the Cacchione Cup flat phase in 2011, all while also earning championships in Florida on multiple mounts.

In 2017, Rob completed his Master of Business Administration, also from St. Andrews University, and has gone on to complete all required coursework for a Doctor of Business Administration from Walden University. Now, Rob is the assistant trainer at Aleron Training Stables, a USEF “r” judge and a USHJA consultant in addition to putting on donation-based clinics for riders of all means through his organization, The Robert Lawrence House of Opportunity.

Photo by SAS Equestrian

 

 

Top Photo: 

Rob Jacobs and County Line at the NW Spectacular in Wilsonville, Oregon, doing the 3’9” High Performance Conformation.

Photo by GrandPix Photo

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It’s been a while since I’ve shown. After Indo It’s been a while since I’ve shown. After Indoors we turned the horses out and let them be horses. But now it’s time and I’m getting ready to head to Florida for the winter circuit. I’m feeling a bit anxious about getting back into the competitive state of mind, doubting myself and feeling more stress than I did when I was showing. Is this normal? What’s happening to me? What do I do to get back into the right place in my head? Why do I keep going back to this if it does what it does to me at the start of each season? - a Sidelines fan

"Throughout human history, people have enjoyed organizing competitions—the Ancient Greek Olympic Games go back to 776 BC. If you look around, you’ll notice that competition is everywhere in the modern world. Many historians believe that 'competitiveness' is a biological trait that co-evolved with the basic need for human survival. However, returning to a competitive state after time off from being a competitive athlete can be quite daunting," says sports psychologist Margie Sugarman.

"The proper mindset keeps you grounded in the present instead of solely focusing on the results. This automatically helps lower the performance brain state and allows for better focus, performance and results- Focus on what you can control."

Read the full column at the link in our bio!

📸 Ruby Tevis #paard #eventing #pferdeliebe #horsemanship #equinelife #jumping #horsepower #equestrianlifestyle #caballos #horsestagram #pferdefotografie #horsegirl #horseshow #equestrians #ponies #quarterhorse #horselovers #mare #thoroughbred #showjumper #equinephotographer #instagram #horsephotographer #equitation #horseaddict #horsetraining #horseoftheday #gelding #equestrianphotography #sidelinesmagazine
Emily Dulin has always been an animal lover, and h Emily Dulin has always been an animal lover, and helping others is in her blood. She’s the daughter of a Venezuelan ambassador and has spent much of her professional career working in social services and animal welfare. In 2015, Emily took on the role of chief executive officer of Brooke USA Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules, and helping the people that depend on them for survival worldwide. 

“We are making a difference,” Emily said. “We will evaluate an animal at the start of a new program, and then just one, two and then five years later, we see marked improvements in terms of how they are handled, husbandry practices, what they eat and even how crops are being grown just to feed their animals—how feed is stored—and more. To see that end result firsthand is what I find most satisfying.”

Get to know Emily and how she helps working equines as the leader of @brooke_usa at the link in our bio!

Thank you to Brooke and Cody Holcomb of Wyco Ranch in Ft. Pierce, Florida, for the use of your farm, donkeys and horses for the Sidelines photo shoot.

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The February issue of Sidelines Magazine is here a The February issue of Sidelines Magazine is here and it's filled with love - including the love story of dressage riders Sarah Lockman Tubman and Lee Tubman! Thanks to photographer Kristen Scott-Crocker for the beautiful photos and Kimberly Gatto for sharing Sarah and Lee's story. 

We have so many amazing stories in this issue—get to know Sharn Wordley and Craig Martin of Wordley Martin Equestrian, LLC, the two Kiwis have had a fascinating journey in the equestrian world! And meet three day eventer Liz Lund who not only has a great story but wins the award for holding the most horses in one photo taken by Sidelines photographer Melissa Fuller. Hint, it's more than five but less than seven - and everyone had their ears up!! Amazing! 

Also meet hunter-jumper rider and photographer Kirsten Hannah Lafforthun, artist Vanessa Whittell Equine-art, dressage rider Brett Ingram and Emily Marquez-Dulin of Brooke USA, which is a great organization to support - make sure to visit them! 

Meet Madison Ibach and Reagan Ibach, sisters who work at the Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort and have a huge social media presence - make sure to follow them on Instagram! We are excited to continue our Women Entrepreneur stories and introduce you to Gigi Stetler, President/CEO of Broward RV. 

We also feature three great breeding and stallion stories and introduce you to John Almond and Margaret Hoffecker Almond of Loafers Lodge Welsh, and Craig Heckert and Patty Larson of Rivervale Farm, and Kelly Sigler Patterson of Looking Glass Farm. Mary Choate has great answers to share in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists Rob R.L. Jacobs, George Williams, Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing and Margie Sugarman. 

Make sure to sign up for a year's subscription to Sidelines by visiting our website, www.sidelinesmagazine.com so you can get a copy of the magazine sent to your house or barn every month! Enjoy reading this issue now - link in bio!
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