Morgan Judging
How To Become A Morgan Judge and
How to Maintain Your Judges' License
Download the Judging School Handbook, Morgan Horse Judging Standards and 2010 Judges School Applications Here!
Every year, many contact the AMHA office regarding AMHA’s judging program. Some are interested in obtaining a card, while others are interested in self-improvement—furthering their knowledge of Morgan type, conformation, way of going, and class specifications and rules—making them better breeders, trainers, and exhibitors. To either end, the AMHA Judges’ Program is an evolving, non-static entity, always looking for better ways to prepare and educate potential judges. And the education is more than teaching about Morgans, it is about the mechanics of judging—a system, a mind set, physical preparation, knowledge of the rules and specifications, efficiency, and a host of other elements which come together in a good judge.
The most obvious factor in answering this question is the applicant’s knowledge of Morgan horses and USEF show rules and regulations for all sections. Many potential judges enter the system knowing much about a park harness horse, but very little about a Morgan carriage driving class, which they also may be asked to judge. Some applicants are well versed in hunter pleasure and over fences classes, but are lost in a deep English or Western pleasure class. Like the breed, Morgan judges must be well-rounded.
Judges also must exhibit the utmost skill in evaluating a horse and evaluating it for that particular job, i.e. class. One reason judges, trainers, and breeders often are one-in-the-same is because they have studied the horse at great length. They spend ten to 12 hours daily evaluating horses in their own barn and can assess a horse for the task at hand in a matter of seconds. A good judge can and will have a deep class sorted into excellent, good, fair, and poor before the reverse. Intimate knowledge of the horse is crucial to this ability.
While an applicant might know plenty about Morgans, he or she might be unfamiliar with the rules governing all sections. As a licensed official of USEF, knowledge of the rules for each section is crucial. A judge is asked not only to evaluate the horses before him or her, but to make constant judgment calls regarding specifications for a particular class, interpretation of rules, conduct of class, emergencies, safety, and when elimination versus penalization are to be implemented. While USEF shows have licensed stewards on hand to interpret the laws of the association, the onus is on the judge to be handy with those laws as well. When the ingate closes and the class is under way, the judge is responsible for what ensues and therefore must prepare himself or herself for every possibility and ensure that the class is run effectively and safely. A judge must oversee the actions of and work closely with the ringmaster(s) to this end.
It also is a long day. Many applicants do not realize the physical strain of judging three sessions per day. Not only is stamina necessary, but one’s mental accuity must be the same during the final class at 10:30 in the evening as it was at 8:00 that morning. Each exhibitor deserves the utmost attention and judges must be able to provide this throughout the day and evening and regardless of section. If, as a spectator, an applicant is bored to tears by a 20+ entry junior exhibitor hunter pleasure class but loves the In-Hand division, he or she may want to reconsider getting a card; at most shows a judge will spend much more time evaluating hunters than the In-Hand division. Multi-day shows also must be taken into account, where one judges three sessions per day for many consecutive days—this is both mentally and physically taxing.
Potential judges must work well under pressure. The line-up always comes whether the judge has the class pinned yet or not. Efficiency is important and keeping the show running on schedule is appreciated by exhibitors, spectators, and show management. Strong organizational abilities and a good ring mechanics are a must. Strong moral character and principle are another necessity. While applicants may feel that they have the backbone to stick to the specifications and stand behind their pinnings, they may waver the first time they are asked to judge a fellow friend who is not riding the blue-ribbon winner. The judge is called upon to override human nature and that is harder than it sounds. “And,” AMHA Judging Standards Committee co-chair and Morgan Judge Harry Sebring candidly added, “it helps if you don’t mind if your friends get angry with you on occasion.”
Judges’ Schools
Applicants who feel that they not only meet the above criteria but also will enjoy judging, while providing a valuable service, would do well to attend an AMHA Judges’ School. These three-day events combine classroom work with learner judging under a stringent itinerary in an actual horse show setting. Overseen by two to three administrators, applicants receive an intense classroom education regarding Morgan type and conformation, Morgan judging standards, specifications governing each section of the Morgan division, as well as information on ethics and organization. Then it is on to ringside where applicants view classes and complete and sign judges’ cards. They later are put to task explaining to administrators and peers their reasons for pinning the class(es) as they did. Applicants also will accompany the regular horse show judge(s) inside the ring, pinning classes, and later discussing them with the officiating judge. Both show judge(s) and school administrators submit evaluations of the applicant’s performance to USEF. Recorded and Registered Morgan judges also are required to attend AMHA Judges’ Schools to keep their cards current. They go through much the same work as applicants. Interaction between the two groups benefits the applicant as they work alongside someone who already has center ring experience and perhaps a different perspective. At the end of the school, those who haven’t yet done so are required to take a written exam, focusing primarily on rules and Morgan standards, and receive a passing score of 85 percent or higher.
According to Morgan judge Karen Homer Brown, “Applicants should take away a more extensive knowledge of judging, judging mechanics of the many disciplines, vast understanding of how to use the rule book, a better appreciation of what judging is all about, willingness, and more overall awareness.” “From the second school,” AMHA Judges’ School Coordinator Cindy Mugnier added, “I’d like them to have confidence and a belief that they’re ready to judge with competence, fairness, and dignity.”
Learner Judging
As of March 1, 2002, applicants once again are required to learner judge prior to applying for their license. USEF Rule Book Article GR1031.1 now reads “. . . and serve as a learner judge at a minimum of one Recognized competition in an “A”-rated Morgan division at an all-Morgan competition.” While only one learner judging experience is required, multiple experiences are encouraged. To get a true taste of the rigors of actually judging, little can match the learner judging experience. “For those who have never had a card,” intones Homer Brown, “get as much experience learner judging at as many different venues as possible. Offer to officiate at local club events, schooling shows, and tournaments.”
It is at this point that an applicant may be able to answer the question, “is this for me?” It should be noted that licensed USEF judges from other divisions are not required to learner judge—presumably they have a thorough understanding of the horses, ring mechanics, stress, and fatigue involved.
When choosing a show at which to learner judge, applicants need to take into consideration factors such as location, quantity and quality of entries, number of days, the judge(s) you will be working alongside, and whether the show meets the criteria stated in Article GR1031.1. Applicants wishing to learner judge at a particular show should contact that show’s manager as soon as possible. If approved by the show committee, the applicant will need to receive permission from the judge(s) whom they will be working under. Applicants should inquire as to whether the show manager will be contacting the judge on their behalf or if they prefer that the applicant contact the judge directly. The Morgan division permits learner judges to do so under both Recorded and Registered judges. Once both the show and judge have given permission, the applicant needs to submit to USEF a completed Learner Judge Application Form and the non-refundable fee within 21 days prior to the start of the show. USEF will then issue the applicant a learner judge’s card for that one show. This procedure must be followed for each USEF show at which the applicant wishes to learner judge. There is no limit to the number of times a person may be granted a learner judge’s card.
Learner judges are considered one of the horse show’s officials, and while they have no authority over the merits of the competitors, they must still conduct themselves in a like manner. This includes not speaking with exhibitors outside of the ring between sessions, traveling to and from the hotel immediately before and after each session if time permits, dressing appropriately, and conducting one’s self in a highly professional manner. If a show offers evening sessions or stake nights, learner judges need to inquire as to dress code. Formal attire may be mandatory.
The recent change from requiring seminar work to learner judging was explained by Sebring. “While the judges’ schools provide a hands-on way to learn, the size of the class prevents applicants from spending a lot of time in the ring. Adding the requirement of learner judging to the criteria allows the applicant to experience first-hand the rigors of standing on your feet for 12 to 14 hours a day and still making knowledgeable decisions. The classroom work covered at the judges’ school is the same that was covered at the seminars so some redundancy occurred. It was decided that dropping the seminar program [and adding learner judging] would eliminate redundancy, augment the education of the applicant, and reduce their overall expenses.”
Application
After application to USEF has been made it will be considered by the Licensed Officials Committee (LOC) once 15 reference questionnaires have been returned. It is advisable that more than the required 15 be listed on the application as some references will, invariably, not return the questionnaire, or, at least, not do so in a timely manner. The LOC, not the applicant, will send the questionnaires to those people listed as references, and to such judges, members of Zone and Division Committees, and others as they see fit. It is suggested that applicants return their application in time for references to be returned prior to one of the tri-annual meetings (January, April, and September). Some applicants have found that receiving 15 returned references is one of the more difficult portions of the process. Many have found that sending a note to those listed as reference providers is a courtesy and may encourage them to return the reference in a timely manner. After the process is complete, sending a thank you note also is a courtesy.
It should be noted that these are requirements that must be fulfilled to be considered for a Morgan license. An applicant should, at all times, remain realistic and realize that completion of all requirements does not guarantee the granting of a license; completion of the requirements simply allows the applicant to be considered by the committee. The LOC makes their decision based in large part on the references of other officials and those who have worked with the applicant in a judging capacity. They attempt to determine if the applicant has the knowledge and ability to judge in that division and if he or she can do so in a fair and impartial manner.
Judging is not an easy task. It is not lucrative and often is tiring, time consuming, and thankless. Those who choose to become a judge must do so with absolute dedication to the principle of adjudicating a horse show. Mugnier reminds applicants to “never forget that it is an honor to be a judge. Approach judging with respect for the exhibitor and management and the responsibility to always do the best job you can.” For those who feel they are still up to the task and can give back to the breed in some manner, Sebring offers some final words of advice. “[Applicants] must become a student of the breed. Study, study, study the Morgan Judging Standards booklet and the USEF Rule Book. Learn all you can about conformation and way of going, and learn to develop a system that will help you sort out the great horses from the good horses, the OK horses from the poor horses. Get a tough skin and be a good horseman."
How to Maintain Your Judges' License
If you are an applicant (a person applying for your card), you must attend two AMHA/USEF Judges’ Schools. At one school you must attend all three days, and at the second school you must attend the last two days. You must complete one learner judging experience at an “A” rated all Morgan horse show and you must receive a grade of 85% or better on a written exam.
If you are an “r” recorded Morgan judge, you must attend one, three-day Judges’ School every three years and you must receive a grade of 85% or better on a written exam.
If you are a “R” registered Morgan judge, you must attend one Judges’ School for two days every five years and you must receive a minimum grade of 85% on a written exam.
Judges who have a “r” card in another breed must attend two Judges’ Schools, three days at the first school, and two days at the second school, and receive a minimum grade of 85% on a written exam.
Judges holding an “R” card in another breed must attend all three days of a Judges’ School and receive a minimum grade of 85% on a written exam.
Every year, the offices of AMHA and USEF receive numerous inquiries concerning the criteria for becoming a Morgan judge and for maintaining a Morgan judge’s card. In 2002, the criteria for becoming a Morgan judge changed, so it seemed a good time to answer some of these questions.
The process of becoming a Morgan judge and maintaining a license in the Morgan division is divided into five categories: 1. Applicants who are unlicensed in any other breed and are applying for a Morgan judge’s card; 2. Morgan judges with “r” recorded status; 3. Morgan judges with “R” registered status; 4. “r” recorded judges from another breed; 5. “R” registered judges from another breed.