Become a Judge

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So, you want to be an NCHA Judge

The National Cutting Horse Association Judging Department is committed to providing well-trained judges for all NCHA-sanctioned cutting horse contests. To become a certified NCHA judge, NCHA members must complete a rigorous training program and subsequent refresher clinics on the proper interpretation and application of the rules for judging cutting horse events.

Certified judges are rated through the Judge Rating System based on their annual performance and several key criteria. Criteria include evaluations from the Self Adjusted Monitor "SAM" program, number and types of shows judges and other factors. Based on their scores, they are then rated 2A, 3A, 4A or 5A - the latter being the highest category.

The process to become a judge starts with asking yourself a few questions:

Are you at least 19 years of age?
Have you been an active member of NCHA continuously for the last three (3) years?
During the last 3 years, you have NOT been suspended, put on probation or reprimanded by the Association?
During the last 3 years, have you been an active competitor in NCHA approved events?
Do you meet the Lifetime Earnings requirement:

If you answered yes to all of the above, you could start the process of becoming an NCHA judge.