Home Judges Clinics

Judges Clinics

Become an MFTHBA Carded Judge!

Are you interested in judging Missouri Fox Trotting Horse classes? The MFTHBA offers a training program to teach and certify judges.

In order to apply for a judge’s license, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Current member in good standing of MFTHBA;
  • Age 18 or older;
  • Attend and complete an official MFTHBA Judges Seminar (live or virtual) to consist of educational segments on performance, model, and versatility, as well as ethics, protocol and
    general information relating to judging;
  • Acceptably judge a group of horses, on video and/or live;
  • Complete the written rules evaluation as revised to accurately reflect rule changes and objectively measure an applicant’s knowledge of the MFTHBA’s rules and standards, answering 85% or
    more of the questions correctly.

Upon meeting the requirements of Nos. 1 through 5 successfully, a Judge Apprentice card shall be issued to the applicant in order that an apprenticeship can be entered into as a condition for
recommendation as a carded judge.

  • Apprentice a minimum of three (3) shows (either live or virtual) under the supervision of three (3) different MFTHBA carded judges with a minimum of 30 classes judged. The MFTHBA
    Board of Directors may adjust the apprenticeship requirements based on this or other criteria, by a majority vote of the Board. The apprentice shall have a maximum of three years (36 months) in which to complete this process.

The MFTHBA Board of Directors will provide final approval for the issuing of the full judges card. Additional endorsement for versatility and/or ranch horse may also be added if the applicant is qualified. Additional information about the process and the process for renewing an issued judges card can be found in the MFTHBA Rule Book .

Need to renew your card? Or attend a certification training? Visit the Judge’s Forms and Downloads page for more information.