Lexington, KY (September 23, 2025) – First introduced at the 2024 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention, the United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) is thrilled to announce the official launch of the new You Be the Judge education module, available through the USDF website. Made possible by The Dressage Foundation’s (TDF) Mary Anne and Walter McPhail Judge Education Fund, and USDF’s partnership with Black Horse One, this new platform allows all members to have a peek behind the curtain to understand what, specifically, judges look for and how they assess scores in the competition arena.

Throughout her life, Mary Anne McPhail was adamant that she wanted the United States to have "the best judges’ education program in the world", and because of her vision, this unmatched education is now extended to all USDF members, providing them access to judge training content, never before available publicly.

TDF President Beth Baumert stated, “This public aspect of the USDF judges’ program was an integral component, as Mary Anne was passionate in her desire for riders and trainers to be on the same page as the judges. I know she’s up there monitoring this whole thing, so please log on and enjoy!”

USDF President Kevin Reinig added, “As the official dressage judge training entity in the US, USDF has amassed an extensive library of content to help train and maintain the highest standard of dressage judging and we are thrilled to now, with TDF’s support, be able to make this new platform available to our members. Dressage competitors have a notoriously insatiable hunger for knowledge, especially related to judging and scoring, which this unique look into judging is sure to satisfy.”

To access the new module, visit the USDF homepage and look for the You Be the Judge link. Attendees can also join us for a live session of You Be the Judge during the 2025 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention. Registration is now live and can be accessed through the convention website at www.usdf.org/convention.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.