Become an IRHA Approved Judge

The International Ranch Horse Association (IRHA) is proud to offer a judge carding program with an application and exam process. Judge candidates submit an application and their resume for consideration. An exam process follows including a multiple choice exam, short essays and a video judging component. Applications are accepted year round. We are excited to have some of the best trainers and judges in the country on the IRHA Judges Committee. The goal of this program is to help ensure the ranch horse heritage is preserved through the standard application of a ranch horse ideal in judging.

Webinar on Judge Carding Program and virtual Judging Seminar coming soon!

Judges Committee: Gary Roberts, Laurel Walker Denton & Michael Damianos

How it works: 

1. Submit your application including your resume and references. Please highlight all relevant horse training, showing and judging experience as well as any seminars & clinics you have attended. Qualified judges have experience showing in and judging the four IRHA recognized classes: Ranch Riding, Ranch Rail, Ranch Trail and Ranch Conformation. Answer all questions in detail. Pay $125 application/exam fee ($175 if applying for joint WCRH carding). 
2. The IRHA Judging Committee will review your application for appropriate experience and/or education. Once approved, you receive instructions and will be granted access to the judge's exam. The exam consists of two videos (one ranch riding & one ranch trail), a 20 question multiple choice exam and two short essay questions. You will record your judging commentary and provide completed scoresheets for both videos. 
3. Once your exam is submitted, IRHA Judging Committee members score your exam. The video commentary "reasons" for scores are graded by maneuver via a qualitative assessment. Judges are expected to verbally justify scores given, rather than to score exactly the same as another judge.  An exam composite score is then calculated. 90% and above is a passing score. 
4. The judge candidate is notified of their scores and passing status. If the candidate passes the exam, they are sent a IRHA Approved Judge Card electronically. 

WCRH/IRHA Judge Requirements:

1. Have general, current-year IRHA membership and be a member in good standing.
2. Be at least 25 years of age.
3. Receive application approval from IRHA Judges Committee.
4. Pass the WCRH judge carding examination. 
5. Required to complete re-certification as determined by the Judges Committee.

The Ranch Horse World Standings page displays the point totals for each division by nominated horse and rider combination.

For questions about points, please contact info@iranchhorse.com