Rita Timpanaro - USEF "R" Horse Show Judge


Rita has held a United States Equestrian Federation "R" registered judges’ license in the following disciplines: Hunter, Hunter Seat Equitation, Jumper and Hunter Breeding for 45+ years, and has served in the capacity of horse show judge at shows throughout the United States and Canada. Recently she attained her National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) Hunter/Jumper Judges' license. In addition, Rita has traveled throughout the Country judging Welsh Horse Shows, Miniature Horse Shows and Quarter Horse Shows.

The system Rita has developed for judging reflects the knowledge she has attained throughout her career as a professional Hunter Jumper rider and trainer. Rita is methodical, organized, detail oriented, and unbiased. The same consideration is given with the pinning of each individual class at USEF “A” horse shows, and local rated horse shows.

Rita has been invited to officiate at major USEF sanctioned horse shows on the East and West Coast and Canada, including Regional, Zone and National Championships.

She has officiated at:

  • ASPCA Maclay Regional Finals- Region 2
  • ASPCA Maclay Regional Finals- Region 6
  • USEF Zone 2 Medal Finals
  • USEF Zone 8 Medal Finals
  • California PHA Medal Finals
  • New England Equitation Championships
  • Rhode Island Medal Finals
  • Connecticut Medal Finals
  • CET Regional Medal Finals
  • Colorado Medal Finals
  • New Hampshire Hunter and Equitation Finals

In 2013, Rita judged the Canada Hunter Derby Series Finals held in Alberta, Calgary, featuring the largest Hunter Derby prize money in Canada. She also officiated at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, one of Western Canada's largest agricultural events and the largest event held in Brandon, Manitoba. It is one of only two fairs in Canada to receive Royal patronage from Queen Elizabeth II (in 1970).

She has judged Interscholastic Equestrian Association shows as well as Intercollegiate Horse Show Association shows nationwide:

  • IEA Zone and Regional Finals
  • 2021 IEA Hunt Seat National Finals
  • 2013, 2017, 2021 National Collegiate Equestrian Championship
  • IHSA Alumni Tournament of Champions
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • Holiday Tournament of Champions
  • American National Riding Commission National Intercollegiate Championship

Rita has served as a speaker on the USEF Judges' Clinic panel. In addition, she has served as a guest speaker, from the judges’ perspective, for the Long Island Professional Horsemen's Association, the Fairfield-Westchester Professional Horsemen's Association and the New Jersey Professional Horsemen's Association, to name a few.