COMMITTEE REPORTS
Our dedicated members volunteer their time on various NWHA committees each year. Committees support our mission and assist with the continual growth of the organization.
Judges Committee
We started 2026 off with an amazing clinic! Special thanks to Morgan Head and Shannon Gibbs for all their hard work on planning and hosting the event! The level of participation was tremendous with almost every current judge in attendance along with four apprentices. The topics included reviewing definitions, expectations and judging criteria for all of the divisions, characteristics of an English horse vs. a western horse, definition and examples of bad image, tips for judging a 25 horse class, versatility rules and rule changes for 2026. We also reviewed the criteria for judging All Day Pleasure classes( which the judges created at the clinic in 2024).
Criteria includes:
1) Must stand quietly when asked to halt or stand throughout the class
2) Must back smoothly, steadily, quietly, straight and no gaping
3) Must work on a light, draped rein
4) Must be a picture of comfort and manageability( no slopping around in the saddle or checking of reins)
5) Must transition smoothly
Lastly, the judges took a deep dive into professionalism and ethics for judges. At the conclusion of the clinic, judges were asked to provide suggestions for the Judges Committee for the 2026 year.
Monthly newsletters have been going out to address various judging topics and provide updates on information pertinent to judges.
VIRTUAL TRAINING CLINICS
Several virtual training clinics have been held this year. The first one was focused on Ranch Riding. A huge THANK YOU to Sandy Harris for leading this training! This class has already garnered a lot of support and excitement from our members.
Our judges participated in the session with comments and questions, helping everyone to learn from each other. Videos were a great asset to this training as well as the time we had for Q & A. This is a great new NWHA class and will be another important avenue for our members to showcase our amazing breed!
The next virtual clinic was focused on the All Day Pleasure division. Jason Bachert led the discussion and focused on the five criteria that were established during the 2024 Judges Clinic. Eli Murphy and Adam Hall also provided insights and thoughtful conversation topics during the session. Our NWHA Judges were again intensely involved in the discussion and everyone was excited to be able to learn different perspectives from each other. A special THANK YOU to Jason Bachert, Eli Murphy and Adam Hall for leading this session!
Another virtual training clinic was held to highlight the various classes of Racking Horses and what judges need to look for in the various classes. A sincere THANK YOU to Scot MacGregor, Glen and Cheri Weeks and Matt Janisch for leading this training! Again, videos, information and the question and answer session were great assets for our judges.
During the busy show season, the newsletters and virtual training sessions are going to be on hold, but our plans are to start back up in November and our next session is being planned with a focus on Showmanship. Shannon Gibbs will be leading this training.
We have asked all judges to provide input for training sessions and articles for our newsletter. We are here to serve the judges and appreciate the opportunity to support all of our outstanding NWHA Judges!
July 2026 | NWHA National Newsletter | 2