It is a stressful time of year for judges
applicants. The AQHA judges test is going on right now in Amarillo, Texas while
APHA has just announced its list of newly approved judges for 2010. A total of
14 applicants tested, while nine actually passed the test. “It was a great group of
applicants, but then there usually is every year,” said Candy Cain, the APHA
Director of Judges.
The grueling three day test was held April
19-21 in Fort Worth, Texas.
The applicants had to score 85% or
better on a 100 question closed rule book test. If they didn’t pass the
rulebook test, then, they are unable to continue with the testing process. They
also must score a 80% or better on the live and DVD judging. This includes
23 classes, plus a written 10 question test over the live judging classes.
Finally, they must pass an Interview with the Judges Committee.
One applicant that was testing for their APHA judges card was Billy
Steele from Amarillo, Texas. He passed the APHA judges test at the ripe age of
76! Steele, who used to work for AQHA, decided that since he was past the age
limit to be reinstated as an AQHA judge, then, he might as well test for some
other judges cards–including APHA.
Steele was impressed by how organized Candy Cain and the Judges
Committee were in putting on this event. “I thought the test was very fair
and thorough,” Steele remarked. “I had not judged since 94′, so it
was hard for me to get back into the groove of studying again. But, I wanted to
stay actively involved in the horse industry and give back to our industry, and
I thought this was a good way of doing it.”
Trainer Stephanie Lynn from Wisconsin also passed the judges test and
looks forward to judging more horses. “Since I’m not training as much as I
used to, it gives me the ability to stay involved with horses at a very high
level and also get paid for it.”
Lynn, also adds, “Everyone involved with the judges test made us
feel at ease. They were very professional and nice to us. I felt like there was
no hidden agenda–like they were trying to trick us or anything. The video
testing was difficult because it was hard to find a high and a low placing in
some of the classes. It is definitely different watching something two
dimensional on a video screen versus watching it live, but overall, I was very
comfortable with the testing process.”
GoHorseShow.com
congratulates everyone who passed the APHA test and wishes the AQHA applicants
good luck this week in Amarillo!
2010
Additions to the APHA Approved Judges List
Jason Contreras
California
Shaun Duley-Gloude
Colorado
Other cards held: AQHA, NSBA, PHBA
Kevin Hood
Kansas
Other cards held: NSBA
Stephanie Ann Lynn
Wisconsin
Other cards held: AQHA, NSBA
Carol A. Morris
Texas
Other cards held: ABRA, IBHA, PtHA
Chele Murrell
Louisiana
Other cards held: AQHA, NRCHA, NRHA, NSBA
Michele Pearson
Texas
Other cards held: ApHC, AQHA, NRHA, NSBA
Sara B. Simons
Texas
Billy Steele
Texas
Click here to access the
complete list of APHA Judges.
