She’s BACK!
Barbara Price has her USAWE R judge license again and is looking forward to getting back out to shows this season
She also offers words of wisdom about what judges are looking for
By Virginia Aulin
That was more than 20 years ago, when she spent a couple of weeks riding and training in Portugal and first experienced Iberian horses. Interestingly, her instructor team was a combination of Classical Dressage and Bullfighting trainers. She returned to California determined to own an Iberian horse and learn more about WE. Several years later, she saw some informal demonstrations while on a riding trip in Spain.
“The first real show I saw was at an IALHA National Championship in Fort Worth. From there I was hooked!
Since then, Barbara has not only embraced the sport as a rider but also as a judge.
Barbara was thus one of the first U.S. licensed Working Equitation judges and has judged numerous licensed shows since 2014. She later became an R judge but took a year off from judging during her tenure as USAWE President in 2022 due to concerns from some members that it would be a conflict of interest. During that time she fell behind on her continuing education (CE) requirements. Recently she completed the needed CE and her license was reinstated.
“Make sure you understand what all the current requirements are. And don’t get behind on your continuing education!” Barbara says to those who are pursuing WE judge’s licenses.
When she posted on Facebook that she had her USAWE R judge license again and was looking forward to seeing everyone at shows, she received more than 80 joyous comments from those excited to welcome her back.
Barbara adds, “I love the versatility and varied challenges of Working Eq, the inclusion of multiple breeds and disciplines, the way it engages the horse’s mind, and the wonderful community of US Working Equitation riders.”
She’s come a long way from her days of putting “A PONY!” at the top of her Christmas list every year as a child. “Sadly, my family was not a horse family and there never was a real pony under the tree,” she explains.
Now, when she’s not travelling, she lives at her North San Diego County ranch with her husband and “too many horses” as well as “an overly enthusiastic herding dog.”
What words of wisdom can you share about the top things judges look for?
This is a complex question. In general I think most judges are looking for a harmonious horse and rider pair, where the horse performs in an easy and happy manner and is responsive to discreet rider aids. More specifically I’d add the following:
- The trial is ridden with the correct and specific fundamentals for the level
- Quality, well-maintained gaits
- Smooth and balanced transitions
- Correct geometry for dressage tests
- The six dressage training scale imperatives as they pertain to the level: Rhythm, Relaxation, Connection, Impulsion, Straightness, Collection.
More about Barbara
Barbara Price is an Iberian horse enthusiast and amateur rider who has has been actively involved with developing the sport of Working Equitation in the U.S. since 2013. Barbara completed her initial judge training with WAWE International Judge Instructor, Claudia Elsner Matos, and more recently with Antonio Vicente. She also has participated in clinics with Portuguese Working Equitation Master Nuno Matos. One of the first U.S. licensed Working Equitation judges, she has judged numerous licensed shows since 2014. Additionally, she is a founding member of the U.S. Rules for Working Equitation Committee, served as President and President-elect for USAWE, and was on WE United’s Board of Directors in several roles including President.
