It’s December, a quiet time in the show world and the perfect time of year for judges from all parts to gather for an educational seminar.
There was a time when that meant late nights sharing tall tales. The embellishments grew with each passing hour. Jokes were tossed back and forth like tennis balls volleyed across the net and everyone enjoyed the camaraderie.
Oh they made time to get to the Will Rogers Arena to judge live classes. And there was still plenty of lively discussionand opportunity to banter about the difference between a good run and a poor run, a great loper and a bad loper. But it was a relaxed pre-Holiday gathering of friends who seldom get to visit, shake out ideas or debate what makes a great one without the responsibilities that come with horse shows.
Times have definitely changed. During the last two decades, AQHA has increasingly challenged their judges, holding them to the highest standard of accountability within the Association. AQHA has always had a collaborative relationship with alliances such as the NRHA, NSBA, NRCHA, APHA and NCHA. Judges receive the benefit of being educated by the best of the best from each alliance.
It has paid off. Today’s judges are better educated than ever before. Rules across disciplines are aligned with alliance partners and every effort is made to develop and improve the systems judges use to score classes. Take for instance the implementation of score sheets for Equitation, Showmanship and Horsemanship, something long sought from exhibitors.
This year the long held traditional means of educating current and new judges is getting more than a facelift. For the first time in its history, AQHA judges will take a test to recertify in order to maintain judging status. Come Monday morning AQHA judges will be on hand in Irving, TX to attend the two and a half day seminar. Each will have to pass the recertification test before receiving their 2015 judging credentials.
Judges have been assured the test is not meant to eliminate anyone. The objective is to educate judges and make sure that each one understands the rules. Roughly 300 judges are expected to attend and test for recertification this next week.
Stay tuned for a few thoughts from some of those judges who will attend – some pro and some con. AQHA judge and GoHorseShow.com’s Senior Editor, Laura Gilmer, will be giving a rundown from Irving about the seminar. Until then… it’s time to hit the books!
