Mary Seefried appointed to Judges Supervisory Panel at Paris Olympics

With the countdown to the Paris Olympic Games now measured in days rather than months, Australian Equestrian enthusiasts are focussed on the horse and rider combinations that will represent our country in Dressage, Jumping and Eventing.

It is understandable that the Athletes and horses are the stars, but top events such as the Olympics rely on experienced and respected officials to fulfill a number of important roles and ensure that the best and fairest outcomes are achieved in all sports. One Australian Official from Queensland, Mary Seefried AM, has accepted the FEI’s invitation to sit on the (Dressage) Judges Supervisory Panel (JSP) in Paris.

Mary has been instrumental in Australia’s rise as a Dressage nation, training many judges and officials over four decades. The 2023 Australia Day Honours List recognised Mary for her significant service to Equestrian sports, particularly in supporting the Australian Equestrian community to meet the highest international standards for Dressage education. Of her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia, Mary said that she is “both honoured and humbled, that others had thought highly enough of me to nominate me.”

In 1996 Mary was appointed as one of only 30 Olympic level (5*) judges in the world, and the first Australian to be so honoured.  Mary is now a FEI Judge Educator and well known to Australian Dressage competitors and enthusiasts having officiated at all of Australia’s FEI Dressage events and premier FEI Dressage competitions including World Championships and Olympic Games.  Mary was the Australian Dressage judge on the panel of five at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and has held official roles at the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2016 Rio Olympic Games and has been the Technical Delegate for South East Asian Games, Asian Games and also at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.

The JSP was introduced to the FEI’s judging procedures in 2011 to ensure that judging at the most prestigious and important events remains fair and this panel is a mandatory inclusion at Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and European Championships at Grand Prix Level. The JSP provides an extra level of monitoring and has the authority to change marks when there is a technical mistake in judging (for example a mistake or missed flying change in a sequence) but the Panel does not judge at the competition. The JSP also plays a role in monitoring performance of FEI judges and contributes to long lists of judges for major championships. The JSP and judges meet and engage in discussion following the posting of results and this opportunity has made a positive contribution to judge education. 

Congratulations Mary Seefried AM, on your Paris 2024 appointment and best wishes for a safe, happy and collaborative time on the Judges Supervisory Panel.