Danish judge Leif Törnblad holds a masters degree in Political Science and Economics has been judging since he was only 24. A well-known figure on the most prestigious international juries, he received the Fei ‘five stars’ in 2006 and his most notable appearances include the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games. With his wife – former Olympic silver medallist and European and World champion Anne Grethe Törnblad – he lives 30 km north of Copenhagen, on a small farm that includes a stable, a 22×44 metre indoor riding arena and a 20×60 metre outdoor dressage arena, close to a small forest.
How and when did you meet horses? And where and why dressage?
«I started to ride when I was 9 years old in a normal riding school. I did all three disciplines, dressage, show jumping and eventing in the beginning when I as 14 year old got my own horse. At the age of 18 I bought a horse with talent for dressage and that became the main focus, but I still could jump 1,25m courses on it».
When did you become a dressage judge?
«I started judging when I was 24 and at that time I was also riding competitions myself»
How did you career develop?
«I became Danish Grand Prix level judge when I was 32 years old and International Candidate Judge 1992 I judged the first European Championships (ponies) 1993 still being Candidate Judge (3*). One of my first good memories was when I was invited as a young judge to Villanova d´Asti. In 2006 I became International 5* Judge (highest level) and 2007 I judged the European Championships for Seniors in La Mandria/Torino. 2008 I Judged the Olympic Games in Hong Kong and again the Olympic Games 2012 in London and again European Championships in Denmark 2013. I have also been judging about 25 European Championships for Ponyriders, Juniors, Young Riders and U25 riders + 6 World Cup Finals and also some American Championships»
In your opinion how should be the relationship amongst judges and other stakeholders? (riders, Trainers, sponsor, media etc.)
«We need to see ourselves as one community and we need to be able to discuss openly and freely with each other. I am an old fashioned judge and rider and I think we need to work hard on maintaining the basics in dressage and try to avoid being too commercial and “popsmart”»
Do you have any worries when you are going to start judging a class?
«No I always hope that I am able to do my best based on the knowledge I have been getting from many fantastic horse people, Among others Willer Hansen, Niggli, Lette, Volker Moritz, Dieter Schüle, Mariette Whitages, Enzo Truppa + my own wife Anne Grethe (European and World champion among many other titles)»
Your hobbies?
«Reading, and I used to sail when I was younger. I have two dogs»
Any suggestions to FEI regarding judges?
«Many. But first of all I think the selection of Judges should be based more on actual judging performance and that FEI needs a feed back- and evaluation system looking at how judges stay sharp and also unbiased».
