The Rigors of Getting a Judge’s Card

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98 – January/February, 2023

By Savannah Dial

Obtaining a judge’s card is not an easy process and requires dedication, preparation, and commitment. There are various associations that offer tests to become accredited such as AQHA, NSBA, APHA, and WCHA, just to name a few. The requirements for each of these tests vary depending on the organization; however, the applications are very similar.

The Prerequisites

Applicants who have prior showing or judging experience are preferred by the associations, but NSBA, for example, also looks for applicants that have attended educational seminars or competed on a judging team. Application fees range from $100-$150, and in order to maintain accreditation, judges must attend an educational seminar every three years. Those applying must be a member in good standing at their respective organization as well.

After approval from multiple committees, applicants will be tested by a judge’s qualifying exam, rule book test, live judging, and interviews by a panel.
The process of becoming a judge is not an easy one, but applicants can prepare themselves for what’s to come, just as trainer and accredited judge Chris Jones did when applying for his AQHA and NSBA cards. He says, “I took a lot of time to talk to others who had their judge’s cards or had recently been through the testing process. I had a pretty good feel for how it all worked and the procedure they went by.” This preparedness worked for Chris because  he received his cards the first year he tested.

Before applicants can sit for any of these tests, they will need to have in-depth knowledge of the particular organization’s rule book. Whether it’s an NSBA or a WCHA judges’ test, understanding the specific rules and regulations is essential and recommended.

Click here to read the complete article
98 – January/February, 2023