UPCOMING EVENTS
CONNECT WITH US
'S' Licensed - FEI Level III Event Judge
AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND SEE THE WORLD
As a rider, Valerie is fortunate enough to train with two of the most influential and well-respected ‘O’ judges of our times, Linda Zang and Marilyn Payne. She can’t count the number of times she has returned from a competition only to anxiously hand over to them the most recent dressage tests! Valerie wanted an opportunity to give her students that same experience. She would sometimes disagree with the marks on her own tests or be the first one to question a combination out on cross country, but rather than just complain, she challenged herself to do something about it! And so she began the pursuit of my eventing judges licenses and a way to give back to the sport.
In 2010, Valerie received her ‘r’ Event Judge’s license, which enabled her to be President of the Ground Jury through the Preliminary level.
In 2016, she received her ‘R’ Event Judge’s license, which allows her to be President of the Ground Jury through CCI2*.
At the USEA Convention in December 2016, Valerie was the recipient of the inaugural Roger Haller Grant. This grant allows officials seeking promotions with their licenses the financial boost to be able to travel and make the most of their seminars and apprenticeships. Because of the generosity of Roger, Valerie was able to pursue and receive her ’S’ license for the USEF in 2017. This is the highest national level, allowing her to preside over any event in the US. May she make Roger proud!
Not one to rest, Valerie received her FEI Level II license in 2018, which allows her to officiate through a CCI4* and be President of the Ground Jury at a CCI3* and below.
And finally, in 2022, she received her FEI Level III license, allowing her to officiate through a CCI5* and be President of the Ground Jury at a CCI4* and below.
Judging has taken Valerie all over the country and the world. In 2017, she was able to apprentice with the world’s top judges at the 2017 Strzegom Horse Trials in Poland during the European Championships, and after earning her FEI Level III license in 2022, she traveled to England to serve on the ground jury at the Blair Castle CCI4*.
Valerie judging journey has allowed her to be a part of some of the biggest events in the United States, all from a different perspective! Valerie also feels strongly that she is much more educated as a rider, trainer, and instructor after having received the training and education required to attain the Event Judge’s licenses. She can assess dressage tests, show jumping courses, and cross country tracks and questions from many different perspectives, which gives her horses and riders a definite advantage!
As an active rider, Valerie works very hard when officiating to make sure that a level playing field is maintained for all of the divisions, and at all times she tries to do what is in the best interest of the competitor. That being said, a hot tip for any rider reading this page of the website... it is your responsibility to know the rules!!
Click the photo above to read the full article.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY?
KIND WORDS FROM MY LOVELY CLIENTS
“Valerie is the best trainer who is so kind and patient, and at the same time organized, efficient and intuitive.”
“Thank you to Blue Clover Eventing for opening your XC course to school this past weekend. Excellent jumps and well maintained grounds!”
“Oh my gosh Blue Clover Eventing is amazing My daughter has never been happier about horses and the sport of equestrianices!”