“I’m incredibly excited about the 2013 APHA judges. They are a very talented class and worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment,” says Dave Dellin, APHA Director of Judges. “We look forward to them being a representative of the APHA.”
This year the AQHA and APHA judges tests were held together in Gainesville, Texas. The test consisted of a rulebook test, video testing, interviews, and live testing. Six new APHA judges were approved including, Melissa Hargett Dukes, Elizabeth Haynes, Keith Miller, Kim Meyers, Tom Robertson, and Abby Cosenza.
“Testing for the APHA judge’s card was both challenging and rewarding,” says AQHA World Champion exhibitor and trainer, Keith Miller of Reidsville, North Carolina. “The decision to test for a judge’s card is a big step in any horse trainer’s career or anyone for that matter. It’s obvious the APHA understands the professional commitment required by the applicants because it dedicates some of the nicest, most professional people in the organization to guide the applicants through the process and to ensure that the testing event runs smoothly. I found myself testing along side smart, well-prepared, knowledgeable horsemen.”
Miller adds, “Networking with the other applicants during our downtime was a nice perk of the testing process. Without exception, every applicant I spoke to found the APHA and AQHA jointly-presented live judging portion of our testing to include some of the best horses ever put together for live competition. As an applicant, I am grateful to those trainers, owners, riders, and handlers who worked together in the presentation of the event. I look forward to working with them and the members of APHA in the near future.”
AQHA trainer and judge Melissa Hargett Dukes was also very excited and honored to receive her APHA Judges Card. “I’ve been very impressed with the association and it was nice to see APHA and AQHA working together in the testing process. I learned a lot and look forward to working and judging at APHA shows.”
2013 New Approved Judges List
Abby Cosenza, Scottsdale, AZ
Melissa Hargett Dukes, Weatherford, TX
Elizabeth Haynes, Morriston, FL
Keith Miller, Reidsville, NC
Kim Myers, Felton, PA
Tom Robertson, Saline, MI
