Judges

Certified Judge

Overview

The recommendations of many experienced judges were combined with certification systems used by breed associations and the USEF to produce the current system used by WHC for accrediting judges for Wisconsin open, all-breed, and 4-H shows. The criteria continues to be updated and modified through input from judges, show committees, trainers, owners and exhibitors.

Purpose of the Judges Seminar

- The seminar is designed as an education opportunity for horse show judges. The presentations have included stock seat equitation & pleasure, hunt seat equitation and pleasure, working hunter and jumping, saddleseat equitation and pleasure, showmanship, pleasure driving and conformation.

- The seminar was based upon the USEF rules in an attempt to provide a standard set of rules and to establish uniform judging criteria.

- The results of the seminar available in this judges' directory provide a listing for show committees to consider when selecting judges.

Certified Judges Directory

Listings in the Judges' Directory should not be interpreted as an indication of judging ability-but rather as a statement that these judges have taken the time and made an effort to better their judging skills.

A listing in the Directory does indicate that these judges have:

- Attended the Judges Seminar

- Passed a written exam

- Have documented experience judging horses

Criteria For Certification Are:

Method A

Pass the seminar's written exam with a score of 75% or better twice within each three year period. (Applicant must be age 19 or older)

Verify judging experience by:

a) Judging 6 shows within previous 3 years. (Obtain Evaluation Form From WHC Office or website)

OR

b) Junior judge 3 shows under 2 different judges within 2 years of taking exam. To be credited for Junior Judging, you must apprentice under a judge that has been judging for at least two (2) years and holds one of the following cards: WHC, Multi-State, or Any Breed Card. The Senior Judge must fill out one WHC Judges Evaluation on the Junior Judge. The Junior Judge MUST receive a Good or Excellent rating to proceed.

Need to be a Level 1 member of the Wisconsin Horse Council.

Method B

Judges already certified by the American Quarter Horse Association, USEF, Color Breeds Council, FEI, ADS or Multi-State (copies confirming judge certification must be sent to the office) can be certified in Wisconsin and listed in the directory by:
a) Attending 2 Wisconsin Horse Judges Seminar every 3 years (starting in 2000) as Judge Candidate (not as an auditor).
OR
b) Judging 6 shows within 3 previous years.
Need to be a Level 1 member of the Wisconsin Horse Council

Criteria To Maintain WHC Certified Judge's Card:

Attend the WHC Judges' Seminar once within each three-year period as a Judges (not auditor), OR attend the American Quarter Horse Association, USEF, Color Breed Council, ADS, FEI, or Multi-state seminars once within each three year period. Copies confirming judge certification need to be sent to the office before attendance credit may be given.

Pass the written exam with score of 75% or better one time within each three year period.

Need to maintain an annual Individual Membership in the Wisconsin Horse Council.

Each Judge is encouraged to have two (2) JUDGES EVALUATION FORMS in their judge's file per current calendar year. Forms must be sent to the WHC Office. Forms must be signed by show committee or other evaluator to be accepted.

Need to be a Level 1 member of the Wisconsin Horse Council.

Additionally, a major portion of the Wisconsin judges program is evaluation of judges by show committees, spectators, exhibitors, trainers, grooms, and other judges. Judges are evaluated on their ability to determine placings for performance; conformation and equitation classes; impartiality; use of time; professionalism; attitude; and knowledge of rules and procedures.

The stringent requirements of the Wisconsin Certification System and the evaluation process have been recognized nationwide-as many states are developing similar programs based on the Wisconsin system.

The seminar is also recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and the POAC as continuing educational program for their judges.

Criteria Revised May 2011. Please Read Carefully.

Certified Judge Directory & Profiles

Here is a link to our Certified Judge Directory (PDF)

Certified Judge Profiles

These Judges hold a WHC Judges card and have provided more information for you to learn about their personal experience and specialties.

FOR THE COMPLETE LISTING OF CERTIFIED WHC JUDGES, GO TO THE CERTIFIED JUDGES DIRECTORY

JUDGES: If you would like to have your profile added below, please download the JUDGE PROFILE FORM and mail, fax.or e-mail it into us.

Certified Judge Seminar

The date for the WHC 2025 Certified Judge Seminar has been set for April 5, 2025.

Please check back often for more details as they become available. Thank you!

Check Out Previous Certified Judge Seminar Recaps Below!

2023 Judge Seminar Recap

Check Out The 2023 Judge Seminar Recap ...more

Judge Seminar

November 08, 2024•1 min read

2022 Judge Seminar Recap

Check Out The 2022 Judge Seminar Recap ...more

Judge Seminar

November 08, 2024•1 min read

2019 Judge Seminar Recap

Check Out The 2019 Judge Seminar Recap ...more

Judge Seminar

November 06, 2024•1 min read

Resources

WHC Equestrian Organizations Website Reference Guide

Click the organizations below to get to their websites.

American Driving Society Web

American Horse Council Web

American Hunter and Jumper Foundation Web

American Vaulting Association Web

Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Web

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Web

International Side-Saddle Organization Web

National Barrel Horse Association Web

National Cutting Horse Association Web

National High School Rodeo Association Web

National Hunter and Jumper Association Web

National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Web

National Little Britches Rodeo Web

National Reined Cow Horse Association Web

National Reining Horse Association Web

National Snaffle Bit Association Web

United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Web

United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Web

United States Equestrian Team Foundation Web

United States Eventing Association, Inc. Web

United States Team Penning Association Web

Western Stock Show Association Web

Wisconsin Dressage and Combined Training Association Web

Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Program (most current 4-H information for judging will be posted here)

WHC Judge Evaluations - Overview and Form

Judge Evaluation Form (PDF)

Jr. Judge Evaluation Form (PDF)

Jr. Judging Record (PDF)

The WHC Certified Judges evaluation form is meant to be a meaningful feedback tool for show committees, exhibitors, etc. to use when evaluating a Judge's performance at a specific show.

An average score from the ratings collected on all evaluation forms received for each judge is posted in the judges directory.

If there is no rating listed it only means that we have not received evaluations for that judge. This does not necessarily reflect negatively upon the judge, as judges are entirely dependent upon show committees, etc to actually send in evaluations.

It is important to keep in mind that the evaluation should be filled out as honestly as possible and should not be used to air grievances of an individual nature.

- Criticism should be done in a constructive manner, not a destructive manner. This form is part of a process designed to assist the Judges in their continuing professional development.

- Any written comments are not made public and unsigned evaluation forms will not be used in the calculation of the composite average score.

- Evaluations are only accepted for the current calendar year.

- Please note that evaluations on Judge Candidates acting as junior judges should only be completed by the senior judge. See the criteria for specifics on senior judge eligibility. Three evaluations are required on a junior judge.

WHC Judge's Code of Ethics & Complaint Process

Code of Ethics Form (PDF)

Ethics Complaint Process (PDF)

Ethics Complaint Form (PDF)

It shall be the responsibility of all prospective and registered WHC judges to be thoroughly familiar with the WHC Judge's Guidelines as well as rules specifically applied for a particular show in which a judge will officiate; to comply with them in full; and to exemplify the highest standards of fairness, ethical behavior and genuine good sportsmanship in any of their relationships with exhibitors, show committee members, spectators, or fellow judges.

Any person whose actions, statements, or conduct is considered detrimental to the welfare of horses or the Wisconsin Horse Council is subject to the loss of the privilege of holding a certified WHC judge's card through suspension or expulsion by the WHC Judges Review Committee.

Open Horse Show Guidelines

The Show Chairperson shall be responsible for the proper organization and conduct of the horse show. He/she shall have a copy of the rules being used for reference during the show, if needed. The chairperson shall enforce all rules from the time the exhibitors enter the show grounds until they leave.

Judge Contract

Sample Judging Contract

WHC does not require our certified judges to use any specific contract. However, for your convenience we have provided a sample contract. Please note that this is only one example of a type of contract.