Christoph Umbach is the first 5* judge from Luxemburg and one of the most respected judges in the world. He is also a top trainer and heads the Grand Ducal Dressage Centre. Christoph has been an FEI judge from a young age and has been judging the GP since 1991.  Consequently, he has had the opportunity to listen to and share his thoughts with the most experienced and well-respected judges in the sport for decades.   

For this NEDA Know-how Christoph has graciously offered to share all the latest information gathered from the last 5* judges’ symposium!  This will include rule changes, the challenges of shouldering the burden of the recent negative critique of our sport as an FEI judge, and how judges are meeting these challenge (ie what they are looking for in the ring).

Dr. Sara Perkins is a solo private practitioner in Washington State. Her focus is on attaining a deeper understanding of performance horses as to maximize their potential and provide guidance for overall well-being. 

Sara graduated from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. She completed an internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY in 2001. After working on staff with the equine internal medicine department at UC Davis, Sara entered private practice and has managed her own business since 2004.

After starting out in general equine practice, the caseload shifted to performance related cases including lameness diagnosis and treatment, clinical and radiographic evaluation of dressage sales horses, and hands on rehabilitation of sport horses. 

In more recent years, ongoing refinement of the physical, neurological, lameness, and ridden examinations have become a major interest along with deeper imaging of the spine. The practice is now equipped with a mobile x-ray unit that captures the base of the neck, first ribs, and the back with high detail. In addition to farm visits, Dr. Perkins offers consultations on performance and pre-purchase cases. 

A lifelong interest in riding, training, and managing horses has influenced Dr. Perkins’ practice greatly. In the past she rode jumpers, cutting horses, and played polo. She continues to purchase and ride rehabilitation cases for enjoyment and ongoing education. She is currently developing two Iberian dressage geldings. Sara spent over a decade breeding Lusitano horses. She has partnered with a German supplement company to supply performance horse nutrition through a company called Equina USA.  When she is not with the horses Sara enjoys hiking with her dogs and sea kayaking on the Puget Sound.