To become a NRHA judge, a person must pass an applicant seminar, and then pass testing requirements of a NRHA judges school. Once they are approved, they must retest every two years.

Do you think this system is adequate and producing quality judges?
Do you think making judges retest every two years is excessive, not enough, or just right? Do you have any compliments, criticisms, or comments about NRHA judges?


what do you think?
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to write in and voice your opinions
BIG question! Every system is flawed, just as is this one. The big flaw of this system is the lack of peer review and removal, if needed. The judges are not like Supreme Court judges, i.e., appointed for life. I would love to see an automatic review when there is more than two points difference in a multi-judge score. Just had that experience at the Hollywood Charity. My horse received a 71 1/2 from one and a 69 1/2 from another.

This condition is addressed at the Futurity where 5 judges generate 3 scores. I can name names, dates and places where these things have occurred. Considering that some people make a living at this, we really need to rectify the problem. Sadly enough, there are people in the world who enjoy hurting others. Finding this a forum to settle personal vendettas. Maybe we could generate a proposal for submission to the NRHA in this regard?

Morgenthal
 

<editor's note>
NRHA actually does have a peer review program in place. It is called the JEEP program. Dori Schwartzenbeger, from the NRHA Judges committee, explains the process-

"JEEP stands for Judges Education + Evaluation Program. If an exhibitor feels there was a class that was miscalled, or if a judge has questions about the way he judged a class, they can send in a tape of the class in question to NRHA. The tape has to be from the official show video provider. First, the tape is reviewed to make sure the concern is not frivolous, like someone acting on a preexisting grudge. If in fact the concern is legitimate, NRHA then makes copies and sends them out to a panel of experienced judges for review. NRHA compares the consensus of the judging pool against the way the actual class was scored. A letter is then sent out addressing the matter. Sometimes suggestions are made, or disciplinary action is taken. NRHA can also mandate the judge in question to come in and retest before the 2 year retesting period is up."
 

 
 
 

I do not feel that retesting is excessive. I feel that there should be some personal show experience required. It seems it is difficult to truly understand manuvers if you have never been in the show pen. It is a tough job, and I compliment the judges who watch many horses go for hours and still maintain concentration.

Brian T

 

Given the current Level of competition and the speed at which things happen, the current level of certifying judges is the minimum we should require. The NRHA introduction of videos showing maneuvers, then what percentage of judges scored it (65% said +1/2 for example) is a great step towards achieving the consistency I think competitors deserve.

Additionally, I think that where shows are double judged, not only should shows be video taped, but the judges should be required to review with show management all scores where the judge differed by more than 1 point.

Bob Herndon, CO

 
I think this is probably adequate.

I also think there should be a way or if there is a way already - something to encourage people to make comments on what they thought of the judging overall.

And these comments should be captured under the judge - and maybe reviewed/ discussed upon the retest??

One comment I so often have (particularly AQHA judged events) are as follows:
when judging Novice reinings - the scoring should perhaps not be so tough - in other words a real bad maneuver might be a -1/2 as opposed to a -1. And a good maneuver might be a + 1/2 instead of a 0. Kind of varies depending on the the class. So a good maneuver for an open class might really be a better than good for a novice event. It has got to be so discouraging for the novice people to be hearing their scores of i.e. 58. Not good for their ego's or good for encouraging them to continue reining.

I understand why at some shows - if you go off pattern you will be excused from the ring. But when it comes to either the novice or the youth - who really need that ring experience - they should not be excused right away - give them some more time in the ring.

I was at one particular AQHA show -where a couple kids were showing for their first time - both went off pattern. The judge did not excuse the first one. But he did excuse the 2nd one - right away quick (she was in no danger) - the poor little girl was in tears, embarrassed etc. - It will be tough for this little girl to want to show again.
Okay I'm done!

M. Alderson
 
The purpose of this section is to create a forum to bring up subjects that reiners often talk about, but seldom agree on. We encourage you to write with your take on the subject. We are simply providing a forum for discussion, and the above mentioned points are in no way a reflection of anything official at NRHA, nor do they reflect the opinions of e-reiner.com. We will be changing the subject weekly, and will post responses as we get them.