ARHA Invites Public and Professionals to Judging and Scribe/Ring Steward Seminars

If you’ve ever wondered how a judge’s mind works, you can catch some insight at the American Ranch Horse Association Convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lexington, Ky., on February 17-20, 2010. Between the Judging Seminar and the Scribe/Ring Steward Seminar, people with all levels of judging and showing experience and interest will walk away with a better understanding of how the ARHA show experience works. Space is limited in both seminars, and pre-registration by January 5 is encouraged.

In addition to these seminars, the ARHA Convention will feature the popular Friday night President’s Reception; educational events; the annual awards banquet with the ARHA Charter of the Year and Open, Amateur and Youth presentations; and opportunities to socialize and explore the Lexington area with other ranch horse riders from around the country. A special ARHA Convention room rate can be secured at the Crowne Plaza before January 17; rooms can be booked by calling the hotel at 859-255-4281.

ARHA Judging Seminar

Held February 18-19, the ARHA Judging Seminar will cover the latest judging techniques, review new and updated ARHA rules, and allow attendees to network and ask questions of their fellow professionals.

Current ARHA judges and individuals with experience judging other equine events are especially encouraged to attend and apply for an ARHA judge’s card. Applicants must have current ARHA membership at the time of the seminar. They will attend an ARHA judge orientation session, undergo video testing, take an open rule-book test using the 2010 ARHA Rule Book, and complete a scored interview by members of the ARHA Judges Committee.

The Judging Seminar is open to those applying for or renewing their ARHA judge’s card. Among the professionals instructing the seminar are ARHA judge Billy Prather of Camden, S.C., and ARHA Director Ben Bowman of Sandborn, Ind. Advance registration is $75, postmarked by January 5. Registrations postmarked after that time are $100.

ARHA Scribe/Ring Steward Seminar

The best way to learn what’s required to be a judge is to serve as a ring steward or a scribe, both essential positions to running a successful horse show. The first-ever ARHA Scribe/Ring Steward Seminar will be held on February 17 and is designed to provide training that will produce informed and competent ring stewards and scribes.

If you’ve been to a horse show, you’ve seen the ring steward and scribe working closely with the judge to run the show in an efficient, timely manner that also encourages exhibitor participation and spectator interest.

In addition to gaining these skills, attendees will leave with a better understanding of how and why penalty points are assessed and class placings are decided, what judges are looking for overall and in specific maneuvers, how the ARHA scoring system works, how to complete and read judges’ score sheets, and how to assist judges as a scribe. Any competitor or judge interested in ARHA events can learn from this insider’s look at how the judging process works.

ARHA judges Eddie Smith of Fletcher, N.C., and John Tabb of Green Briar, Tenn., will be the instructors for the seminar. The registration fee for the ARHA Scribe/Ring Steward Seminar is $25 when postmarked by January 5. After this time, the fee is $40.

Formed in 2004, the American Ranch Horse Association promotes the abilities of the all-around versatile working horse in a positive atmosphere where western tradition is genuinely honored. Rapidly growing with more than 7,000 members, ARHA hosts competitions, clinics and educational events throughout the year.

For more information about the ARHA Judging and Scribe/Ring Steward Seminars, call ARHA at 606-271-2963 or 606-653-7097. For details about the American Ranch Horse Association, visit www.americanranchhorse.net .