Interview with Janet Foy American FEI 5* Judge, 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Janet Foy
American FEI 5* Dressage Judge
USEF S Dressage Judge
L Faculty
USDF Gold Medalist
She lives in Colorado and Florida

*When did you started riding and where?

At 5 years old my grandfather took my sister and I to riding lessons on Saturday in Colorado Springs.

*What inspired you to become a Dressage Judge?

There was a program in the Denver area, and they needed one more person to run it, and I was
recruited by my friends.

*Who is your favorite dressage horse you competed and why?

Lago and Halloh, both Holsteiners. I got the horses as 5 year olds and trained them to GP. I got my Gold Medal with Halloh.

*FEI 5* Judges officiate major horse shows, like the Olympic Games. How many International Competitions do you judge in a year?

Depends. In a big Championships Year, about 10, in a normal year about 5-6.

*How did you get picked to be 1 of the dressage judges for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games?

The Judges Supervisory Panels and the FEI Dressage Committee look for judges who work well together. They also can only have one judge from each country with the top countries usually being placed on the panel. In other words, a British, German, Dutch, Danish and USA  judge will usually be there.

*How long will you be in Tokyo?

I arrive on July 22, 2021 with the jog on the 23rd. I depart the next day after the freestyle July 29.

*Will you attend meetings with the other judges and staff before the games? How many judges are on the dressage judge panel for the Olympics?

No and 7

*Will you be present for the jog? Who else is present for the jog?

Yes, the entire Ground Jury will be there for the jog, as well as the vet commission and
Technical Delegate. Our President Katrina Wuest will run the jog.

*What will you be looking for from the dressage horses and riders at the Olympics?

Technical precision and harmony.

*Tell us about your ballroom dancing. When did you start?  Do you get nervous competing? Do you always have the same partner? Are you competitive or do you do this more for fun?

I started 4 years ago on the advice of my dear friend Jane Savoie. It is such fun and great exercise. I have two pros in Florida where I dance at a Fred Astaire and two pros in Colorado Springs where I dance at an unaffiliated studio. I don’t ever get nervous competing as it is like dressage, the training is finished.

Thanks Janet for your interview for https://horses4yc.com! Most of us will be watching the 2021 Olympic Games from home. Good luck to all the competitors. Go USA  ????????