David Schmutz

David Schmutz was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.  He starting riding late in life, while in graduate school for his MBA.  He had the great opportunity to ride with a very prominent elderly attorney, who needed one of his three horse exercised.  During many mornings, they would meet at 6am where they would ride the trails of Griffith Park in Los Angeles.   After graduate school, David  purchased his own horse, a thoroughbred, and continued training on the Griffith park trails and local jumping arenas.   

When the Olympics came to Los Angeles in 1984, David was exposed the the discipline of Dressage.  The exposure changed his entire focus …permanently. 

While owning and managing  “The Paddock Riding Club” in Los Angeles, he graduated the USDF ‘L’ Program with distinction and then received his USEF Dressage ‘r’ certification.   

It was while working on his promotion to become a USEF ‘R’ Dressage judge, that USEF offered a clinic on judging Para Equestrian riders.  Through the help of international judges Inger Bryant and Anita Own, David obtained his IPEC (International Para Equestrian Committee) approval.  Not long after, the FEI also began approving these types of competitions, Dave received his FEI card as a level 3 Para Judge.   In 2023, David elected to retire his FEI card, now making himself available for online horse shows as a judge.

David continues to enjoy helping both able-bodied and para athletes achieve their best.