Equestrian Australia presents Maria Schwennesen, Official of the Year

Maria Schwennesen is the winner of the 2017 EA Official of the Year Award Presented by Adina Hotels.

Maria was appointed FEI 5* Judge in July 2017, one of only thirty FEI5* judges in the world. This is a remarkable achievement for an Australian judge, not in the midst of the European dressage countries.

Maria has judged extensively overseas during 2017 including Europe, America, Asia and New Zealand. This judging has included major CDI events which earn riders’ qualifying percentages and ranking points for World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games.

A real highlight for Maria was being on the ground jury for the European Junior and Young Rider Championships in Roosendaal, The Netherlands.

While Maria is constantly juggling overseas judging commitments she always finds time to judge at major Australian and Queensland events as well as local club events for Dressage, Eventing and Interschool. She is very hands-on with the education of Queensland and Australian judges as a Judge Educator & her experience from her extensive overseas judging means she has a wealth of knowledge which she gladly shares with other judges.

Maria is the current Oceania representative on the board of the International Dressage Officials Club which is a key stakeholder for the FEI.

She is also chair of the Equestrian Australia Dressage Judges Committee and a current member of Equestrian Qld Dressage Committee & associated Officials Sub-committee.

Her level of commitment to Dressage is second to none & she is always willing to talk to judges of all levels – those just starting out through to National A level judges.