Live Oak International is featuring a new Spectator Judging app for the Dressage tests during its CDE Driving competitions. This will allow spectators a unique chance to be an unofficial judge during Thursday and Friday’s Dressage phase. Spectators will experience hands-on what it is like to be a Dressage judge by awarding grades for each movement and seeing how they compare to the scores that the official judges award.

Live Oak International is hosting top equestrians and equine athletes in combined driving and show jumping, March 9-12 at Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, Florida. Five USEF National Championships are being contested in Driving including Four-In-Hand Horse, Pair Horse, Four-In-Hand Pony, Pair Pony and FEI Single Pony. Live Oak is also the last chance for show jumping riders to qualify to compete at the Longines FEI World Cup Finals, March 29-April 2, in Omaha, Neb.

“We are excited to add this fun and interactive app to our program,” said Chester Weber, co-president of the event. “This allows spectators a chance to judge alongside the event’s judges bringing them inside the judging experience and giving them a chance to see how their scores compare to those of the official judges. It should add some fun for everyone!”

Spectator Judging was developed in 2013 by German national judge Daniel Göhlen along with his Black Horse software team of Munich, Germany. After becoming increasingly popular in Europe, it was successfully launched in the United States at the 2016 International Omaha and will be making
its way back to Nebraska for the FEI World Cup Finals Omaha 2017 at the end of March.

This app allows every spectator to score each test as if they were sitting in the judge’s box, awarding grades for each movement of the horse and driver. Although spectators’ scores do not influence the official results, the focus of the app is to engage the fans and improve fan involvement within the sport. It also allows spectators to see how close their results are to the official ones, testing their judging skills throughout each test. Spectator Judging is available for both Android and iOS devices through the app store.

Spectator Judging can be used during the Dressage tests on Thursday and Friday, March 9-10. Driving continues on Saturday, March 11 with the thrilling Marathon and concludes on Sunday, March 12 with Obstacles. In show jumping, Live Oak International also hosts the $100,000 CSI-W3* Longines FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, on Sunday, March 12. Leading up to the big class will be the $10,000 Waldron Private Wealth 1.40m Power and Speed and $35,000 Hollow Creek FarmCSI3* Longines World Ranking Class Qualifier on Friday, March 10 and the $35,000 Sovaro CSI3* Longines World Ranking Competition on Saturday, March 11.

Competition begins each day at 9:00 a.m. and continues through the afternoon. Over 10,000 spectators attend each year so everyone will want to be sure to arrive early. General admission tickets are available online or at the gate for $10 per person, with a portion of the proceeds going to Marion Therapeutic Riding Association. Children under 12 receive free admission. Parking for the event is free.

Live Oak International offers spectators a unique opportunity to get a true front row seat for the action during the marathon phase of the combined driving event. You and your friends can get a clear view of the horses and carriages as they speed through the complicated made of fences or splash through the water hazards. Every spot includes a 12×12 space with 1 vehicle pass and 6 general admission tickets. If you’ve not seen the combined driving marathon phase, few sporting events – equestrian or otherwise – can match it for breathtaking excitement! A limited number of tailgating locations are available at each of the seven obstacles during the marathon portion of the event on Saturday, March 11. Sign up online at http://liveoakinternational.com/product/liveoak-tailgate-reservation.

General admission tickets, week passes and tailgate reservations are all available online at liveoakinternational.com/shop.

About Live Oak International

Started in 1992 by Chester Weber when he was only 18-years-old, the reputation of Live Oak International has grown each year. Now run by Co-Presidents Chester Weber and his sister, Juliet W. Reid, the show is a world-class equestrian event and is the only show in the United States that offers both Combined Driving and Show Jumping. The show is home to five USEF National Driving Championships and is the final leg of the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. Live Oak Plantation is also home to Chester Weber’s training program.

For information about the event, email info@liveoakinternational.com or visit www.liveoakinternational.com.