MFTHBA Hosting Judge Training
The MFTHBA has scheduled a judges training clinic for the end of October. Attendance is the first step in the process of becoming an MFTHBA carded judge. 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 Clinic 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;
- Pay a $25 application fee.
Upon meeting the above requirements, a Judge Apprentice card will be issued. An apprentice must judge a minimum of three MFTHBA-approved shows under the supervision of MFTHBA carded judges with a minimum of six classes. The apprentice must complete this requirement in no more than 36 months. Once an applicant successfully completes all the requirements, the apprentice must be recommended by the MFTHBA carded judges under whom the applicant apprenticed to the MFTHBA Board of Directors for final approval.
This year’s Judges Clinic will be held at Alias Smith and Jones Ranch in Rogersville, Missouri on October 27 and 28, 2018. It will begin at 9 a.m. each morning.
The Saturday portion of the clinic will include live demonstrations by the breed’s top trainers. This portion will provide an educational experience for performance and model divisions. Experienced judges and trainers will define the standards of the Missouri Fox Trotter and demonstrate the variances in gait & conformation that our competing horses exhibit in the performance show ring. Information will also cover “how to judge”: covering rules, procedure, etiquette, & accountability.
Sunday will include a review portion and a hands-on training for potential judges.
Those that already hold their judges’ cards or exhibitors interested in participating in this educational opportunity are also invited to attend. Spectators are requested to bring a chair and will need to pay a $10 fee. The fee may be pre-paid to the MFTHBA office.
To RSVP, please contact Stephanie Hollandsworth-Follett at 636-448-2288 or follettstephanie74@yahoo.com. You may also contact the MFTHBA office at foxtrot@mfthba.com.