AQHA Approves New Judges

The American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee recently approved new judges that will be held to the highest standards when judging American Quarter Horses at AQHA-approved events.
 
The following judge applicants were approved by the AQHA Judges Committee to attend the 2024 judges qualifying exam in May. Based on their test scores and additional criteria set by the Judges Committee, a list of prospective new judges was reviewed and approved by the AQHA Executive Committee, making these individuals eligible to judge AQHA-sanctioned shows effective immediately upon completing their orientation. Their names have been added to the approved list of AQHA judges at www.aqha.com/judges-lists.

All-Around:

• Christie Arrington of Graceville, Florida

• Matthew Claypool of Xenia, Ohio

• Michael Colvin of Union Bridge, Maryland

• Jason Contreras of Sanger, California

• Carmen Mayabb of Ocala, Florida

• Stephanie McConnell of New Trenton, Indiana

Progressive All-Around:

• Amber Clark of Jefferson, Ohio

• Kevin Hood of Penrose, Colorado

International:

• Rikke Benjaminsen of Aspach, Austria

• Dora Gocze of Brande, Midtjylland, Denmark

Roping:

• Clay Logan of Granbury, Texas

• Marty Simper of Tremonton, Utah

Cutting:

• Joe Ammann of Westmoreland, Kansas

Halter:

• Mitch Leonarski of Williamstown, New Jersey

Team Penning/Ranch Sorting:

• Joe Ammann of Westmoreland, Kansas

Reining:

• Eugenio Latorre of Palautordera, Barcelona, Spain

• Jared Leclair of Tioga, Texas

Level 1:

• Makenzie Knipe of Canyon, Texas

Versatility Ranch Horse:

• Ryan Cole of Downs, Kansas

• Becky George of Hockley, Texas

• Jamieson Gross of Lee’s Summit, Missouri

• Shannon Curl-Holbin of Vero Beach, Florida

• Sylvia Katschker of Feldkirchen, Austria

• Valerie Kearns of Richmond, Illinois

• Darren Miller of Corrales, New Mexico

• Morgan Pennington of Sedalia, Colorado

Working Cow Horse:

• Eugenio Latorre of Palautordera, Barcelona, Spain

To learn how to apply to be an AQHA judge, visit www.aqha.com/become-a-judge. 

For more information on how all of your favorite classes at AQHA shows are judged, visit www.aqhuniversity.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information visit www.aqha.com/news or tune into our Podcast, “Let's Talk AQHA.”