Dog Sports Centre

CLICK HERE FOR ON LINE REGISTRATION

Some study recommendations for Lay Judge Clinic candidates:

OCTRA Rulebook, AERC Rulebook  and Guidelines for Control Judges.

By Dr. Art King: "Recognition and Management of Fluid and Electrolyte Changes in Equine Athletes"

CODE OF PRACTICE: for the care and handling of Equines. Gov't Canada: National Farm Animal Care Council. Available from: Equine Canada, (613) 287-1515  or inquiries@equinecanada.ca

AAEP Grading system for equine lameness.

Herd behaviour in horses. Understand how powerful their instincts are. Helps to understand the 'buddy-horse' conundrum.

Have a BASIC understanding, NOT necessarily a thorough knowledge of : exercise physiology, Anaerobic VS Aerobic metabolism, electrolyte balance/imbalance, dehydration, colic (a very general term) in the horse. Vision, they see differently than people do.

Remember, the emphasis of the Lay Judge Clinic is to focus on the health and welfare of the competitive distance horse. A good Lay Judge will be able to recognize what is normal and what is NOT normal in the horse, and make the correct referral to the Veterinarian. A complete and thorough knowledge of all rules and regulations for all of the OCTRA disciplines is not the priority of the upcoming Lay Judge Clinic, but certainly something you can strive to learn on your own. Timing and heart rate parameters are, of course, very important to know. 

Should anyone attending the Lay Judge Clinic have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me anytime: sarahtiller@live.com I am here to help and if I don't know the answer I can advise on where to find it.

Please get those registration forms in!

Good Luck to all and see you April 8th,

Dr. Sarah Tiller 

OCTRA LAY JUDGE REQUIREMENTS: (OCTRA Policy Statements – pg. 10)

1. In order to apply to work towards their Lay Judge status participants must:
   • Have been a member of OCTRA for at least two years
   • Have completed at least two OCTRA sanctioned rides as a rider
   • OCTRA is looking for seasoned OCTRA members to apply as Lay Judges
2. Qualify to apprentice at OCTRA events:
   • Contact Committee Chair to initiate process
   • Study the OCTRA Rule Book and be familiar with all OCTRA competition rules
   • Attend a Lay Judge Clinic arranged by Committee Chair
   • At end of clinic, write the Lay Judge Exam and pass (with a minimum grade of 80%)
3. Apprentice at OCTRA sanctioned events for a minimum of:
   • Two Endurance Rides
   • Two CTRs
   • Two Set Speeds (if Set Speed apprenticeship is not part of the Endurance Rides)
   • One Ride ‘n Tie (if available)
4. During a season where one of the OCTRA disciplines is not available:
   • Participants must apprentice at two each of the available disciplines (excluding Ride ‘n Tie).
   • Participants will be qualified as a Junior Lay Judge in the disciplines successfully apprenticed (if approved by two accredited OCTRA Veterinary Control Judges)
   • The Junior Lay Judge is required to fulfill his/her missing requirements in the next season the “missing” discipline is available.
5. For final accreditation as a Lay Judge, the approval, in writing, of two OCTRA accredited Veterinary Control Judges must be sent to the Committee Chair (with a copy to the participant).
6. Upon completion, the successful participants will receive an OCTRA Lay Judge Certificate.
7. If a participant fulfills all the ride requirements as listed in sections (iii) and (iv) above without receiving the approval of two OCTRA accredited Veterinary Control Judges:
   • The participant will continue apprenticing at OCTRA events as per the vet(s) instructions until they receive the required vet approvals
   • The participant will forgo becoming a Lay Judge if he/she is deemed unsuitable for the position by the Veterinary Committee.