AQHA typically announces its list of newly approved judges in October, but chose an earlier date this year to allow the new judges an opportunity to book future shows.
The official 2008 list is comprised of 12 regular all-around judges, 32 specialized novice judges, 3 progressive and 4 internationals judges. There are many recognizable names.
“We are seeing higher percentages of applicants who are more knowledgeable with the rules of our individual classes,” Alex Ross, AQHA Executive Director of Judges, told GoHorseShow.com
Approximately fifty percent of the applicants were approved to be regular carded AQHA judges in 2008. Those 12 are:
John Boxell, Illinois
Brett Clark, North Dakota
Terry Cross, Texas
Garth Gooding, Michigan
Carolyn Johnson, Georgia
Chris Jones, Indiana
Will Knabenshue, Texas
Becky Schooler, Ohio
Stephen Stephens, Texas
Kelley Stone-Deignan, Texas
Louise Wilcox, Georgia
Nancy Wilde, New York
Additionally, AQHA implemented the new Novice Judge category this year. These approved judges can judge novice shows, novice classes and at the new introductory shows that AQHA has introduced this year. They do not have to take the qualifying exam and can gain judging experience and become more familiar with the rules while judging novice classes.
Click here to see the complete list provided by AQHA.
