Fourteen applicants were approved by the AQHA Judges Committee to take the AQHA all-around judges’ exam April 29th and 30th in Gainesville, Texas. Based on test scores and other criteria, the Judges Committee then approved a list of prospective new all-around judges, which were then reviewed and approved by the AQHA Executive Committee. The list of the new judges is below.
Congratulations to the following individuals who have received their AQHA judge’s card:
All-Around Judges
- Mark Baus, Stillwater, Minnesota
- Danielle Burns, Omaha, Nebraska
- Sandra Curl, Vero Beach, Florida
- Robert Dehn, Loveland, Colorado
- Michael Edwards, Monroe, Washington
- Kristy Starnes, Summertown, South Carolina
- Carly Veldman Parks, Colbert, Georgia
Progressive JudgesÂ
- Clint Ainsworth, Lithonia, Georgia
- Jimmy Daurio, Pueblo, Colorado
- Stacey Roberson, Byars, Oklahoma
- Teresa Sullivan, Bonney Lake, Washington
- Shane Young, Yakinville, North Carolina
(Progressive judges are eligible to judge a show with 350 entries or less from the previous year, excluding the number of Level 1 and Rookie entries. For example, a 2015 show with 425 entries with 80 of those entries being level 1 and/or Rookie, would be eligible for a progressive judge to accept and judge in 2016.)
GoHorseShow spoke with three of the new AQHA judges: Kristy Starnes, Danielle Burnight, and Carly Veldman Parks about their experience and excitement of being newly carded AQHA judges.
“I thought it was a really fun experience,” says Carly Veldman Parks of Georgia. “I got to meet a lot of great new people and learn more from the seminars and studying. I really enjoying improving my skills in judging the cow events by working with different experts in this events while preparing to test. I have always loved judging and got my APHA card as soon as I was old enough to.”
Parks adds, “I wanted to wait a few years to apply for my AQHA card because I wasn’t as involved in the quarters as the paints and wanted to make sure that they knew who I was and how serious I am about the horse industry. After judging the NSBA World Show last year, I felt that it was the right time to go for it. I really enjoy judging new horses and great horses and look, forward to this new opportunity.”
Kristy Starnes of South Carolina discussed the process of her getting her card. “I have thought about trying for my card for the past two to three years and really got serious about it this past fall and winter. I have grown up showing AQHA circuits and thought that getting my AQHA card was the next logical step to give back to the association that I grew up in. I feel it is important for judges to be actively involved in the industry to stay current with what is happening in the association on the ground level. “
Starnes continues, “I took studying for my card very seriously. I acquired numerous videos on classes I was not as familiar with (cattle events and over fences) to get myself as educated as possible. I scribed at shows to just experience the horse show from the judges perspective, and I sat and watched and practice judged at a number of shows (particularly the world show in scores classes) to try and get a good grasp of the rule book. I studied every night for at least two hours for about three months to memorize the rulebook and all of the penalties. I know Jay is sick of me reciting penalties and such to myself all the time! “ Kristy says and laughs.
Starnes adds, “The overall experience of testing was not as stressful as I had imagined it to be. The rulebook test and mini quizzes were my easiest as I was very prepared. The live judging was good, and we had very nice horses to judge as well which really helped. The interview was the most difficult part for me as I do not like speaking in groups, and I really did not know what to expect as this was my first judging card testing experience. Overall, I felt it was a very positive experience and feel more people should try for their card.”
Newly carded AQHA Judge Danielle Burnright of Nebraska adds, “It was an incredible group of horsemen that tested this year. I am honored to be a part of AQHA as a judge and AQHA Professional Horseman. I am looking forward to learning more and being the best judge I can be. Fairness, integrity, and honesty are all equally and hugely important to me. I look forward to exercising those qualities as a judge. This newer generation of judges have some really big shoes to fill with the horseman that have gone before us.”
European Judges
- Stefanie Bubenzer
- Cedric Leroux
Specialized Judges
Reining
- Janis Anderson, Wilsall, Montana
- Jay Dee Anderson, Wilsall, Montana
Team Penning and Ranch Sorting
- Kim Baker, Waller, Texas
- Lieb Werner, Germany
Timed-Event
- Kristen Gonsoir, Gorton, South Dakota
- Lieb Werner, Germany
Working Cow Horse
- Tom Buckingham, Bruneau, Idaho
Versatility Ranch Horse
- Paul Zink, Otterville, Missouri
Level 1
- Amber Clark, Jefferson, Ohio
- Matt Claypool, Jamestown, Ohio
- Jessica Daniels, Delaware, Ohio
- Ashley Hansen, Muscatine, Iowa
- Josi Reed, Canyon, Texas
- Nikki Riddle, Gainesville, Texas
- Tabatha Taylor, Amarillo,Texas
AQHAÂ judges are held to the highest quality of standards. To learn how to apply to be an AQHA judge and help improve the quality and welfare of registered horses in AQHA-approved competition, visit www.aqha.com/judge.
