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Judge

Dressage · Showjumping · Quiz · Games

Judges assess riders during competitions and are essential to every Pony Club event. Unlike some equestrian organisations, PCV does not currently operate its own judge accreditation program — instead, it welcomes experienced riders, coaches, and officials from a range of backgrounds.

Who can judge at PCV events?

EA-accredited judges

Equestrian Australia licensed judges (for dressage, showjumping, or eventing) are accepted at PCV events in their accredited discipline. Their EA registration must be current.

HRCAV-accredited judges

Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria judges are also welcomed at PCV events. HRCAV maintains its own expression of interest and judging log process for candidates.

Experienced riders & coaches

For club-level and some zone events, experienced riders, coaches, or Pony Club graduates with strong discipline knowledge may judge — particularly for dressage. Contact your Zone Representative to discuss your suitability.

Quiz, Games & other disciplines

Non-ridden disciplines such as Quiz have their own judging and marking processes. Zone coordinators and discipline committees manage recruitment for these roles — contact PCV for guidance.

How to get started as a judge

1

Shadow an experienced judge

The best starting point is sitting with an experienced judge during a club or zone event. Ask your District Commissioner or Zone Representative to connect you with a judge you can observe.

2

Know the rules for your discipline

Read the current PCV discipline rules (available under Rules & Policies). For dressage, understand the current test sheets and marking criteria. For showjumping, understand the fault system, time-allowed calculations, and elimination rules.

3

Pursue EA or HRCAV accreditation (recommended)

A formal accreditation makes you more widely deployable and lends credibility at zone and state level. Equestrian Australia and HRCAV both have pathways — typically involving written assessment, shadowing logs, and practical assessment panels.

4

Express your interest to PCV or your zone

Let PCV and your Zone Representative know you are willing to judge. We maintain contact lists of available officials — being on this list means you’ll be called on when events need a judge in your discipline.

Note for dressage tests: At PCV events, at least 6 randomly selected tests per section should be sent to the Zone Chief Instructor (or nominated person) along with judge contact details for record purposes.

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Technical Delegate

The senior official responsible for event safety and rules compliance

The Technical Delegate (TD) is the most important official at any PCV competition. They have overarching responsibility for ensuring the event is conducted safely, fairly, and in accordance with PCV rules. A TD must be present for all zone, state, and major club events — and their authority on the day is final.

What a Technical Delegate does

Inspect courses and arenas before competition begins to ensure they are safe and rule-compliant

Brief all officials and volunteers before the start of competition

Make rulings on protests, objections, eliminations, and rule interpretations

Manage incidents, accidents, and emergency situations in conjunction with first aid personnel

Liaise with the organising committee on schedule, logistics, and any on-day changes

Complete a post-event TD report and submit to PCV or the zone as required

How to become a Technical Delegate

1

Express your interest to PCV

Contact PCV’s coaching and events team to express interest in becoming a TD. You should have solid knowledge of PCV rules and significant experience attending Pony Club events in any capacity — as a rider, coach, or volunteer.

2

Study the relevant PCV rulebooks

Thoroughly familiarise yourself with the current PCV discipline rules for the events you intend to officiate — Horse Trials, Dressage, Showjumping, or other disciplines. All rulebooks are available under Rules & Policies.

3

Trainee period — 2 supervised events

Trainees are required to attend a minimum of two events in the full company of an experienced TD. During this period you shadow every aspect of the role — course inspection, official briefings, incident management, and post-event reporting.

4

Assisted solo — 3rd event

Your third event as a trainee TD involves taking the lead while an experienced TD remains on-site as a support resource. This gives you real experience of decision-making in the role before full sign-off.

5

Sign-off and registration

Once signed off by PCV, your TD accreditation is recorded. You’ll be listed as an available TD for zone and state events in your discipline. Keeping your PCV membership and rulebook knowledge current is required to remain active.

Cross-country course accreditation: For Horse Trials events, the cross-country course must be inspected and accredited before competition. PCV has run Introduction to XC Course Accreditation clinics — check the Events calendar for upcoming training opportunities.

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Gear Checker

Required at every rally, zone event, and state championship · Formal PCA accreditation

Gear checkers carry out pre-competition equipment inspections to ensure all riders and horses comply with PCA National Gear Rules before they enter the arena. This is a safety-critical role — a formal accreditation is required and the process is nationally standardised through Pony Club Australia.

Age
16+ to receive accreditation
Membership
Current PCA member
WWCC
Must meet state requirements
Assessor
Level 1 PCA Coach

Accreditation pathway — 5 steps

1

Read the PCA National Gear Rules

This is your primary reference document for all inspections. Available on the PCA website under Policies. Read carefully — the rules cover everything from helmet standards and body protectors to bit types, stirrup safety bars, and whip length.

2

Download and read the free Gear Checker Manual

The Gear Checker Manual covers detailed procedures and practical inspection techniques. Available for free under Coach Education on the PCA website. Optional but helpful: watch the Gear Checker Guide Webinar also available on the PCA website.

3

Find a Level 1 PCA Coach as your assessor

Contact your club, zone, or PCV to find a qualified assessor in your area. Check the PCV Events calendar — PCV runs zone-based Gear Checker training and assessment sessions throughout the year, which is the easiest way to find an assessor.

4

Complete the online written assessment

Pass the PCA Gear Checker Accreditation Written Assessment, available online through the PCA website. This tests your knowledge of the gear rules before you move to the practical component. You can attempt it after reading the manual.

5

Complete the practical gear check with your assessor

Demonstrate your gear checking skills in a practical session with your assigned Level 1 coach assessor. Once passed, your Gear Checker Accreditation credential is added to your JustGo profile by the PCV office — it’s then immediately visible to event organisers across Victoria.

Upcoming zone training sessions: PCV runs regular Gear Checker training days across the state. These are the most efficient way to get assessed — you read the manual, complete the written test, and do your practical all in one session. Check the PCV Events calendar for dates near you.

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Scorer / Results Official

No formal accreditation required · Training provided on the day

Scorers record and process results during competitions and are essential to keeping events running smoothly. Accuracy is the most important skill — the results you produce are what riders, parents, and organisers rely on. No formal accreditation is required, but attention to detail and basic numeracy are essential.

What you’ll do

  • Receive score sheets or judge’s marks and enter them into the results system
  • Calculate placings, penalties, and time-based results
  • Produce results sheets for display and prizegiving
  • Liaise with the TD and organising committee throughout the event

What helps

  • Comfort with spreadsheets or results software (e.g. Excel)
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy under time pressure
  • Understanding of the scoring system for your discipline
  • Clear communication — you’ll field queries from riders and coaches

Getting started: Contact your club or zone secretary and let them know you’re available to score at events. Most events will pair a new scorer with an experienced one for their first time. Scoring at club level before zone events is the recommended starting point.

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Arena Party / Course Builder

No accreditation required · Physical, hands-on role

Arena party and course building volunteers set up and dismantle the jumps, poles, flags, and obstacles that make competitions possible. It’s physical, outdoor work — and incredibly satisfying when you see riders competing on a course you’ve built. No formal training or accreditation is needed.

Showjumping arena party

Set up showjumping courses to the plan provided by the organising committee or course designer. Reset poles after knockdowns during competition. Dismantle and store equipment after the event. Requires ability to lift and carry poles and stands safely.

Cross-country course party

Assist with cross-country course preparation and maintenance — flag placement, fence inspection, marker setting, and post-event tidying. May also involve acting as a jump judge (fence monitor) during competition.

Getting started: Contact your local club or zone committee and express your availability. Arena party volunteers are always in demand — this is often one of the easiest officiating roles to step into immediately, and a great introduction to how events run behind the scenes.

Why officiate?

Every event needs officials — without you, competition simply doesn’t happen

Deepen your equestrian knowledge — officiating teaches you the rules like nothing else

Stay involved in the sport you love beyond your riding years

Build credentials that are valued across the broader equestrian industry

Ready to get involved?

Contact PCV’s coaching and events team to discuss training opportunities, express your interest in a role, or find out what upcoming clinics are available in your zone.

Jill Taylor, Program Officer — Coaching & Events
[email protected]

03 8685 8925

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