Judge Spotlight
Introducing Clive Halsall, one of the dressage judges coming to this year’s CDI:
He has made an outstanding contribution to the sport over a distinguished career and to reward his long service was one of three to receive the Medal of Honour at the British Dressage National Convention in 2023.
We recently spoke to him at Walton Fold Farm which he owns and runs with Rachel Muter in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley.
“It’s been in the family for twenty-six years,” he said, “and is very much my happy place.”
A place he is away from so much of the time. Prior to arriving for the CDI he would have been officiating in Florida, Belgium and Austria, and after Sydney he’ll be in Verden for the World Breeding Championships.
Quite clearly dressage is a major part of his life although, as a youngster, he didn’t specialise, engaging in all the disciplines and Pony Club activities.
“I left school at eighteen having completed several A levels and took a year out to improve my dressage for eventing. A year at the late Sarah Whitmore’s turned into three and after winning the British Dressage Talent Spotting Final it was all about dressage.”
Halsall spent a further three years training with the late Georg Wahl and Swiss Olympian Christine Stuckelberger, followed by another two at the Bechtolsheimers in the Cotswolds.
“Horses have been in my life for forty-five years,” he declared, and he has witnessed many changes. “If I look back the popularity of the sport and the breeding has evolved. Many more competitions at all levels – nationally and internationally – also a lot more horses specifically bred for dressage rather than horses switching for various reasons.
Travelling the world, you see different styles and attitudes in equestrian sports,” he said, emphasising that we are all responsible for offering our horses the best life and care possible.
So many can be attributed for shaping him as a person. “And for moulding my career as a student up to working full time.” Significant elements instrumental in his development were: his first pony, first horse, executing his first flying change; debuting at Prix St Georges and then later at Grand Prix; together with the first young horse he trained himself up to GP; and every one I have ever bred and been responsible for.
Highlights for him in judging were the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. “When ‘Bella Rose’ and ‘Showtime’ were at the top of their game, and when ‘Dalera’ performed the ‘La La Land’ freestyle.”
His coaching highlights include being coach advisor for Team GB U21s who were the gold medallists in Children’s Individual, and Pony Freestyle at the European Youth Championships in Opglabbeek, Belgium last year. “These riders are our future.”
His first trip to Australia was a pleasure visit in 1996, then in 2019 he judged at the Pacific World Cup Final and the Victorian Dressage Championships.
“At the moment I’m in the U.K. and it’s a grey, cold Sunday afternoon in January, I sincerely hope the Sydney weather will be warm and sunny in May. I’m very much looking forward to visiting.”
Suzy Jarratt
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