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Judges

American Paint Horse Association
Apprentice Judging Program

This program is designed to benefit those who want to apply for APHA judging credentials. While Apprentice Judging is not mandatory, it may be useful in helping you get the references required to apply for judging credentials. Beginning January 1, 2004, you will be required to attend one of the APHA Educational Judges Academies (all 4 days) prior to being allowed to apprentice. You need not apply for judging status prior to entering the Apprentice Judging Program. Apprentices who have applied for judging status, completed 6 apprentice judging assignments under 6 different regular status judges and have attended the APHA Educational Judges Academy (all 4 days) will have their file forwarded to the Judges Committee at their next scheduled meeting. The committee will decide at that time whether to issue the applicant an invitation to the Applicant School. You may also use this program if you have already applied for judging status but need an additional judge reference. A list of judges and the shows they are judging is available on the APHA Website at www.apha.com. A judge directory is also available through APHA. The following rules apply:

PDF download Download the Apprentice Judging Application Form.
  • It is the apprentice’s responsibility to contact the judge and show management to obtain permission to apprentice. Once permission has been obtained, contact the Director of Judges a minimum of one (1) week prior to the show for approval at (817) 222-6416. Failure to contact the Association could result in the show not counting.
  •  The apprentice must abide by all rules as listed in JU-000.E., JU-000.F. and JU-000.G. of the current APHA rule book. (Exception: JU-000.G.2.)
  •  No more than one apprentice judge is allowed at a show and only one judge may be used as an apprentice reference. You may not apprentice at back to back shows.
  •  Apprenticing with World Show judges will not be allowed from the date of publication until after the World Show is complete. Apprenticing will not be allowed at the European Championships.
  •  Amateurs are not allowed to participate in the Apprentice Judging Program.
  •  Apprentice judging at a show where a family member is exhibiting, judging or a member of show management is prohibited.
  •  A completed Apprentice Judge Application or an APHA Judge Application must be placed on file with the Association. Apprentice judges must be current members-in-good-standing with APHA.
  •  The apprentice must judge the entire show from first to last class.
  •  The apprentice is responsible for providing his/her own judge cards. Judge cards are available upon request from the APHA Performance Department. Cards will be handed in to the Judge, not show management.
  •  Following completion of the show, the official judge will be asked to fill out and submit an Apprentice Evaluation Form to the APHA. APHA provides this form to the judge.
  •  There is no limit to the number of times a person may apprentice judge.
  •  Show Management is not required to furnish the apprentice with hotel accommodations or meals.
  •  Judges are not allowed to receive remuneration for allowing someone to apprentice under them.
  •  The apprentice must be 19 years of age or older.
  •  Any apprentice that fails to attend 3 booked apprentice shows (regardless of the reason) will be immediately removed from the program.
  •  An apprentice should not be asked to complete any duty in an official capacity. (Example: having exhibitors show to apprentice in showmanship, call judge, etc.)
  •  Apprentices should only converse with the judge they are apprenticing with while in the arena.

    Updated 4-18-11

For more information, contact APHA Director of Judges Candy Jebavy by phone (817) 834-2742, extension 416 or by e-mail at cjebavy@apha.com.
©2011 American Paint Horse Association
P.O. Box 961023 • Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0023
(817) 834-APHA (2742) • Fax (817) 834-3152