A successful show takes a team of officials working together in accordance with an extensive set of rules laid out by both national and international federations. The Malta Equestrian Federation is committed to training and nurturing officials to ensure professional events are carried out each and every time.

National judges for show jumping, course designers and judges for dressage go through three intensive four-day courses followed by work experience in the industry under the guidance of professionals. After the first module of training officials are classified as Trainees, after the second module they are classified as Candidates and after they complete the third module and all the required hours of work experience they are classified as National Officials. Training courses for officials are led by the FEI.

Officials assisting at National Championships competitions are paid for their efforts, with payments varying according to responsibility of the role. They will be paid higher rates depending on the levels of qualifications they earn.

Official’s Roles

Show Jumping Officials

National Officials must be familiar with the Rules and Regulations of the MEF and FEI as well as the Sport Rules for show jumping. They must follow the Officials Code of Conduct at all times.

Show Director

The Show Director is responsible for the overall management of the show. They are responsible for organising venue hire, making sure the ground is in good condition, hiring sufficient officials, ensuring working conditions are appropriate and that the Judges, Stewards and Vet Departments are able to do their jobs, and ensuring the smooth running of the competition. The Show Director is responsible for collecting entries, formulating start lists, ensuring sponsors receive the required exposure, and in collaboration with the President of the Ground Jury, organise the presentation and distribution of tests.  

President of the Ground Jury

The President of the Ground Jury is responsible field of play and ensuring the competition is run according to the rules. They are responsible for organising the jury team and, together with the Vet and Chief Steward, they are responsible for ensuring that all rules are adhered to, that riders’ questions and complaints are dealt with in a timely manner. The President of the Ground Jury is responsible for signing off on results, organising the presentation in collaboration with the Show Director and delivering results to the Federation in good order. The President of the Ground Jury must send a report to the Federation, highlighting what went on at the competition including ground conditions, state of equipment, accidents, incidents, and vet check reports.

The President of the Ground Jury must be a qualified judge, familiar with the Rules and Regulations, Sport Rules, Veterinary Rules and National Rules. The President of the Ground Jury is appointed by the Federation.

National Course Designers 

The Course Designer is responsible for setting out the course, which is to be submitted to the MEF. While Course Designers are still in training, their courses are sent for approval to Course Design tutors. They are responsible for organising the arena crew together with the Show Director, setting out the course the day before the competition, determining the time allowed, and managing the course on the day.

Requirements for National Course Designers (show jumping)

·      3 ESEE Courses for Show Jumping

·      3 practical sessions, shadowing a national course designer. These will be set up by the MEF, either with National Course Designers in Malta, or with National or International Course Designers from a co-operating national federation. Should the candidate wish to make their own arrangements to shadow national or international course designers outside Malta, the MEF must approve before they travel.

·      Course Designers will be certified as Trainee Course Designers once they have completed one ESEE Course, Candidate Course Designers with two ESEE Courses and National Course Designers with three ESEE Courses. Payment will be made according to qualifications.

·      Trainee and Candidate Course Designers will be allowed to work on national events but their course designs will have to be submitted to the MEF to be approved.

National Judges

Judges are responsible for field of play and ensuring that all rules are adhered to whilst riders are in the arena. They answer to the President of the Ground Jury.

Requirements for National Judge (show jumping)

·      3 ESEE Courses for Show Jumping

·      3 practical sessions, shadowing a national judge. These will be set up by the MEF, either with local national judges, or with national or international judges from a co-operating national federation. Should the candidate wish to make their own arrangements to shadow national or international judges outside Malta, the MEF must approve before they travel.

·      Judges will be certified as Trainee Course Designers once they have completed one ESEE Course, Candidate Course Designers with two ESEE Courses and National Course Designers with three ESEE Courses. Payment will be made according to qualifications.

·      Trainee and Candidate Course Designers will be allowed to work on national events.  

Chief Stewards

The Chief Steward is responsible for all stewards assisting on the day. They are responsible for overseeing the entire competition ground including the warm up arena and surroundings to ensure that all rules are being followed at all times and that riders are ready to enter the arena at the right time. The Chief Steward is responsible for communicating with the President of the Ground Jury to ensure decisions are taken with all the relevant, unbiased information.

Requirements for Chief Stewards (Show Jumping)

·      FEI Level 1 Stewards General Module Certificate - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=361

·      Foundation Course for Jumping Officials - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=8

Stewards 

Stewards are responsible for ensuring the smooth operations of the event. They are responsible for ensuring all rules are followed throughout the event. In the event of a dispute, they should refer to the Chief Steward.  

Vet

The vet ensures that all veterinary rules and regulations are being followed and that the horses are fit to compete. The vet is responsible for handing in the relevant paperwork which confirms horses are fit to compete or otherwise.

Requirements for On-site Veterinarians

Vets must be in possession of a veterinary degree, with a specialty in horses, as well as a warrant to practice in Malta. They will then be listed as an MEF-approved veterinarian.  

First Aider

Every competition has a first aider on site to ensure that all riders are fit to compete. In the event of an accident, they are responsible for first aid care, contacting emergency services should it be required and reference for further treatment should the need arise. The first aider is responsible to hand in relevant paperwork to the federation in the event of an accident.

Requirements for On-site First Aiders

First Aiders must hold a valid first aid certificate with experience in emergency first aid.

Schedule of Payments for Jumping Officials

In order to be paid, officials must register for participation and be included on the schedule. Should officials not turn up in time for the briefing they will not be paid. For officials to be paid, they must be over the legal age for working of 16. Officials fulfilling more than one role, will only be paid for the highest ranking role. Officials will not be able to claim fees for more than one role per competition.

Anyone else who would like to help the organisation of competitions will do so in a voluntary capacity. Volunteer work is also important. The federation relies on assistance of all types to ensure a successful competition.

Dressage Officials

National Officials must be familiar with the Rules and Regulations of the MEF and FEI as well as the Sport Rules for show jumping. They must follow the Officials Code of Conduct at all times.

Show Director

The Show Director is responsible for the overall management of the show. They are responsible for organising venue hire, making sure the ground is in good condition, hiring sufficient officials, ensuring working conditions are appropriate and that the Judges, Stewards and Vet Departments are able to do their jobs, and ensuring the smooth running of the competition. The Show Director is responsible for collecting entries, formulating start lists, ensuring sponsors receive the required exposure, and in collaboration with the President of the Ground Jury, organise the presentation and distribution of tests. 

President of the Ground Jury

The President of the Ground Jury is responsible field of play and ensuring the competition is run according to the rules. They are responsible for organising the jury team and, together with the Vet and Chief Steward, they are responsible for ensuring that all rules are adhered to, that riders’ questions and complaints are dealt with. The President of the Ground Jury is responsible for signing off on results, organising the presentation in collaboration with the Show Director and delivering results to the Federation in good order. The President of the Ground Jury must send a report to the Federation, highlighting what went on at the competition including ground conditions, state of equipment, accidents, incidents, and vet check reports.

The President of the Ground Jury must be familiar with the Rules and Regulations, Sport Rules, Veterinary Rules and National Rules. The President of the Ground Jury is appointed by the Federation.  

Foreign Judge

A judge from abroad will be in attendance at National Championship competitions. The judge will be one of three judges and takes the place at C. The Foreign Judge will be appointed by the Federation. A foreign judge will be present until national judges can be certified. 

National Judges

Judges are responsible for field of play and ensuring that all rules are adhered to whilst riders are in the arena. They answer to the President of the Ground Jury. Where possible, at least three judges will be present at National Championships Dressage Competitions.

Requirements for National Judge (Dressage)

·      3 ESEE Courses for Dressage

·      3 practical sessions, shadowing a national judge. These will be set up by the MEF, either with foreign national judges, or with national or international judges from a co-operating national federation. Should the candidate wish to make their own arrangements to shadow national or international judges outside Malta, the MEF must approve before they travel.

·      Judges will be certified as Trainee Course Designers once they have completed one ESEE Course, Candidate Course Designers with two ESEE Courses and National Course Designers with three ESEE Courses.

·      Trainee and Candidate Course Designers will be allowed to work on national events. Payment will be made according to qualifications. 

Chief Steward

The Chief Steward is responsible for all stewards assisting on the day. They are responsible for overseeing the entire competition ground including the warm up arena and surroundings to ensure that all rules are being followed at all times and that riders are ready to enter the arena at the right time. The Chief Steward is responsible for communicating with the President of the Ground Jury to ensure decisions are taken with all the relevant, unbiased information.

Requirements for National Stewards (Dressage)

·      FEI Level 1 Stewards General Module Certificate - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=361

·      Foundation Course for Dressage Officials - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=89

Secretaries

Show secretaries are responsible to assisting the Jury team. They will act as scribes and score counters to ensure the smooth running of the competition. Score counters will rank the riders according to performance and organise tests and rosettes for the presentation.

Stewards

Stewards are responsible for ensuring the smooth operations of the event. They are responsible for ensuring all rules are followed throughout the event. In the event of a dispute, they should refer to the Chief Steward. Stewards must be present for the Steward briefing which is listed in the Schedule.  

Vet 

The vet ensures that all veterinary rules and regulations are being followed and that the horses are fit to compete. The vet is responsible for handing in the relevant paperwork which confirms horses are fit to compete or otherwise.

Requirements for On-site Veterinarians

Vets must be in possession of a veterinary degree, with a specialty in horses, as well as a warrant to practice in Malta.  

First Aider 

Every competition has a first aider on site to ensure that all riders are fit to compete. In the event of an accident, they are responsible for first aid care, contacting emergency services should it be required and reference for further treatment should the need arise. The first aider is responsible to hand in relevant paperwork to the federation in the event of an accident.

Requirements for On-site First Aiders

First Aiders must hold a valid first aid certificate with experience in emergency first aid.

Schedule of payments for Dressage Officials

In order to be paid, officials must register for participation and be included on the schedule. Should officials not turn up in time for the briefing they will not be paid. For officials to be paid, they must be over the legal age for working of 16. Officials fulfilling more than one role, will only be paid for the highest ranking role. Officials will not be able to claim fees for more than one role per competition.

Anyone else who would like to help the organisation of competitions will do so in a voluntary capacity. Volunteer work is also important. The federation relies on assistance of all types to ensure a successful competition.

Training

Training for officials is conducted through the Equestrian Sport Educative Events hosted by the Malta Equestrian Federation and led by FEI experts in dressage judging, jumping judging, course design and coaching.