We promote, preserve and provide meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.

Judges

*For information regarding show and judge rules during the COVID-19 pandempic, visit the COVID-19 Updates page.

Becoming an APHA-approved judge is a stringent process, designed to award judging cards to only the most qualified applicants. We strive to develop high-quality judges who are able to precisely evaluate and rank entries in a variety of classes, in keeping with rules set forth by the association. Visit the Becoming an APHA Approved Judge for more information about the application process.

Judge News

Temporary suspension for select judge & show rules extended for 2021
The APHA Board of Directors has extended a pause in a set of judge and show rules for 2021 through the end of the 2021 show season. In early spring 2020, the APHA Board of Directors temporarily suspended a series of judge and show management rules to allow shows to more easily hold their events and make last-minute changes in the fluid COVID-19 environment. At the end of 2020, APHA extended those temporary rule suspensions through June 30, 2021. The APHA Board of Directors recently assessed the environment that their members were still facing around the world and determined that … Continued
Early implementation show rules now in effect
Five show rule changes passed at the 2021 Convention in February with early implementation have gone into effect as of April 5, 2021. The full text for each rule can be found in their respective areas of the online rulebook, as well as under the Rule Change Resolutions link on the Rule Book page of the website here, which also includes the list of all rules passed at the 2021 Convention. SC-040: SUMMARY: Requires exhibitors to earn a minimum of 10 points to be eligible for an Honor Roll Award for all divisions. Related Rules: SC-325, AM-065, AM-225, YP-060, YP-224 SC-160-1: … Continued
Effective Immediately: Touch-point obstacles reinstated for APHA shows
In May 2020, the APHA Board of Directors added to the list of temporary rule suspensions the removal of all touch-point obstacles in all APHA classes, as a result of the pandemic. This included the rope drag or pull, mailbox, gate, carrying an object, and slicker described in SC-301.E (Ranch Trail), SC-250 (Open Trail), SC-192 (Yearling In-Hand Trail) and SC-230 (Utility Driving). As infection rates in some areas have continued to decline in recent months, several states have lifted mandatory mask requirements. As a result, the Board of Directors has voted to allow APHA shows to have the option to … Continued
21 rules passed at 2021 APHA Convention
On February 28, APHA national directors voted on 22 rule change proposals that advance to the floor for consideration at the 2021 APHA Convention, which took place virtually for 2021. Most rules will go into effect with the 2022 APHA Rule Book (rules with early implementation requested are noted below). Below is a summary of rules that were voted on at the 2021 APHA Convention; full details will be posted at apha.com/forms/rule-books. The following rules were passed: CONTROL #RG-020-2: PASSED SUMMARY: Awards Regular Registry status (with pattern type “solid”) to all foals resulting from eligible APHA x APHA crosses, when at least one … Continued
2021 show season temporary rule suspension announcement
The APHA Board of Directors has extended a pause in a set of rules for 2021, which includes the temporary suspension of a rule that restricts the number times an exhibitor can use a judge in Top 20 award calculations. In early spring of 2020, the APHA Board of Directors temporarily suspended a series of judge and show management rules to allow shows to more easily hold their events and make last-minute changes in the fluid COVID-19 environment. APHA extended those temporary rule suspensions through June 30, 2021, at which time the Board will assess whether or not to extend … Continued
24 APHA judges earn awards for their tenure
The APHA Judges Tenure Award was developed to honor longtime APHA judges. Once a judge has completed 10, 20, 30 or 40 years as an approved APHA judge, they are eligible to order their tenure ring or pendant. This award symbolizes the many hours each judge has spent on the arena floor, all the excited champions they have crowned, the long show days spent giving each exhibitor their undivided attention, the compassion they show to the beginner exhibitors wanting to grow, the time away from home spent traveling to their next event, and the genuine congratulations they give to each … Continued
APHA’s HorseIQ releases new offering for 4-H and FFA groups
APHA’s interactive learning platform, HorseIQ, has just released a new offering for 4-H county agents and FFA leaders. Agents and leaders can now purchase a yearly subscription to HorseIQ for $150. With that subscription, they will have their own access to HorseIQ and will receive a unique code to give each of their county or chapter members their own account to view the vast library of educational material that spans topics such as horse judging, showing, show management and ownership. This new model allows each leader and member to have their own access to the HorseIQ library at an affordable … Continued

Judge Resources

Judges Code of Conduct & Social Media Guidelines

Judges Scoresheets & Forms

Judge Performance Evaluations

Judge Seminars

Judge Online Directory

Sample Judge Contract

Judge Awards

Emeritus Award Application

ONLINE Emeritus Award Application

Tenure Ring Application

ONLINE Tenure Ring Application

For more information, contact APHA Senior Director of Judges, Shows & Education, David Dellin by phone at (817) 718-4223 or by e-mail at ddellin@apha.com.