2008 CDI Taupo, New Zealand

FEI Judges Clinic with Cara Whitham in New Zealand

March 17, 2008

Canadian O-judge Cara Whitham conducted an FEI Level Clinic for judges following the Taupo CDI - 2008 New Zealand Dressage Chamionships. Her clear and concise thoughts on judging were communicated during the lecture session, plus a practical session which included very positive interaction between herself, riders, and judges was a perfect finale to the event.

During the CDI, tribute was paid to two special members of Dressage NZ who had passed away during the year, Jude Simpson and Clare Tulloch. Jude had been a Chef d'Equipe for many years and she and Clare both attended Rome WEG 1998. Clare was proud to be an FEI steward at Athens Olympic Games 2004 where she was thrilled to have the opportunity to escort Isabell Werth to the main arena.

Both were huge ABBA fans and the 180 attendees at the sponsors dinner joined the spirit of "Dancing Queen" in remembrance of their contribution to the sport.

Attending International Judges were (from left to right) Ricky MacMillan, Maria Schwennesen & Mary Seefried (Australia) and Cara Whitham (Canada) and Pam Gilmour, Patron of Dressage NZ (not pictured)

Cara Whitham is currently the only judge in the world to hold two ‘O’ licenses from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). After becoming the first and only Canadian judge to hold her ‘O’ status for Eventing, she was awarded her ‘O’ status for dressage in 2004. Cara was a member of the 2005 European Dressage Championships in Hagen, Germany, and a member of the Ground Jury for the CDI-W Frankfurt. More recently Cara has been added to the FEI list of approved Dressage Technical Delegates.  

Why was Cara Whitham FEI "O" level judge standing on the bridge at the picturesque Huka Falls in Taupo New Zealand wearing a motorbike helmet ?

Answer: Because she travelled to the falls on the back of a Big motorbike ! Long time sponsor of Dressage New Zealand, Brian Hobson of Hobson's Horsecoaches has a passion for motor bike travel as well as building horse coaches and enjoys sharing this with our off shore dressage friends !

Related Links
Angela Fergusson wins New Zealand Horse of the Year Title over Experienced Riders
Cara Whitham Featured in Dressage with the Experts at 2005 World Cup Finals