Dressage Queensland Officials’ Forum

Dressage Queensland Officials’ Forum, “The Dressage Officials’ Role in Today’s World”, was successfully held on Sunday, 8 February 2026 at The Glen Hotel, Marquee Room, bringing together dressage officials from across the region for a day of connection, learning, and recognition.

This event marked the first time the Dressage Officials’ Forum was delivered in a hybrid format, enabling both face-to-face and online participation. The forum attracted strong engagement, with 60 officials attending in person and a further 20 participants joining online from across Queensland and Northern New South Wales, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of officials to professional development and collaboration within the sport. 

A special acknowledgement is extended to Elizabeth Coe for coordinating the technical requirements that enabled the forum to be delivered via Zoom, and to Kay Paulsen and Kerri-Lee Ryder their organisation of the forum, which had not previously been delivered in this format since COVID.

Sincere thanks are extended to the following presenters for their valuable contributions to the program:
• Roger Kane, Equestrian Australia – Manager, Health, Safety & Welfare
• Andrew Stevens and Ivanka Menken
• Maria Schwennesen
• Madonna Bell
• Kerri-Lee Ryder

The program provided valuable opportunities for discussion around the evolving role of dressage officials, current expectations, and the importance of consistency, education, and support within the officiating pathway. The inclusion of the Dressage Queensland Officials Subcommittee Awards Presentation was a highlight of the day, recognising the dedication and contribution of officials who play a vital role in the delivery of dressage competitions throughout the state.

Award recipients included:

DQ Junior Judge of the Year Finalists

Ivanka Menken

Kaz  Roe

Nicola Greenaway

Jamie Ford

EQ Junior Judge of the Year Winner - Jamie Ford

DQ Senior Judge of the Year Finalists

Belinda Snooks 

Andrew Stevens

Naomi O’Farrell

Jenny Rykoff

Glenis Jones

DQ Senior Judge of the Year Winner - Belinda Snooks

DQ Writer of the Year Finalists

Penny Flaherty

Angela Arkadieff

Helen Constant

Wendy Bruszewski

Izzy Berghofer

Angela Beresford  

Michelle Callard

DQ Writer of the Year Winner - Angela Beresford

DQ Steward of the Year Finalists  

Sonja Wyeth

Caiwen Cushworth

Trevor Hyatt – winner.

Kerri-Lee Ryder

Jacqui Groves

EQ Steward of the Year Winner – Trevor Hyatt

Other awards

30years of Judging Acknowledgements

Pam Thurlow – 2024

Dee Dunworth and Janifer Willis 2025

40 years of Judging Acknowledgements

Liz Coe

Jenny Rykoff

Equestrian Queensland and Dressage Queensland sincerely thank all presenters, attendees, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the forum and continue to support the ongoing development of dressage officiating in Queensland.