Published date: January 2026

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Welcome

The Washington State 4-H Equine Program provides 4-H Equine Judge Education and maintains a list of WA State 4-H Equine Judges to meet the following objectives:

1. To identify judges that demonstrate an ability to work with youth, communicate effectively with youth, parents, and show management, demonstrate knowledge of 4-H rules and the ability to make decisions that reflect the 4-H philosophy of fairness and impartiality, and demonstrate professionalism in any role they play in an equine-related activity.
2. Provide a list of judges that includes their discipline capabilities as evaluated by show committees, their judging rank (Apprentice, Senior, or Mentor), and their contact information to Washington 4-H horse programs and other interested horse show committees.
3. Provide training for beginning judges and continuing education for present judges, as well as educational opportunities for high school youth, volunteers, and show managers.

Judges on the WA State 4-H Horse Judge List have expressed an interest in judging 4-H shows and have invested time and effort to meet established criteria to do so. They understand their responsibility to show management and are familiar with the Washington State 4-H Equine Rule Book. They have received training in positive youth development, have agreed to follow 4-H policies and procedures, and are willingly subject to accountability to the Washington State 4-H Equine Program. All Judges are expected to engage in continuing education.

Washington State 4-H Horse Programs and Clubs are encouraged to, but not required to, use listed judges.

How to Become a WA State 4-H Equine Judge

Those interested in beginning the process to become a 4-H Judge are encouraged to connect with local horse show committees and experienced judges to develop their judging skill and obtain show and judging evaluations. A minimum of three show evaluations must be submitted with a WA State 4-H Equine Judge Application. Two of the three are required to be from shows outside the applicant’s county of residence and must be from at least two different judges. We also recommend developing skills through shadowing and scribing for multiple judges in multiple disciplines and volunteering with show management and in the show office.

Show evaluations may be submitted online using our WA State 4-H Equine Judge Evaluation Form.

Individuals with judging experience will complete the following steps:

1. Complete the WA State 4-H Equine Judge Application (coming soon)
2. Complete the WA State 4-H Equine Judge Online Orientation (coming soon)
3. Complete the WA State 4-H Equine Judge Online Training, if applicable (coming soon)
4. Complete the WA State 4-H Equine Judge In-Person Training School, if applicable (coming soon)
5. Pass the WA State 4-H Equine Judge Open Book Exam with a minimum score of 85% (coming soon)

The WA State 4-H Equine Program recognizes other state and organization training programs and will consider special circumstances when reviewing application to the WA State 4-H Equine Judge List, such as experience or training gained through another organization or state, returning after long absence, etc. Applications will be evaluated by the WA State 4-H Equine Committee using the criteria outlined below and listed on the WA State 4-H Equine Judge List at the level of criteria met. Denied applicants will be informed of the basis of the decision and invited to reapply when criteria is met.

Apprentice Judge

• Applicants with a minimum of three acceptable judging or show evaluations that have: completed the online orientation, online training, in-person judge training school, and passed the open book exam with a minimum score of 85%.
• Applicants scoring between 70%-85% may be conditionally listed as an Apprentice Judge with a requirement to judge at least three more shows within one year to develop weak areas and gain experience. They then have opportunity to retake the exam.
• Applicants that score less than 70% on the open book exam will not be accepted for the list. They are encouraged to continue developing their skill and may reapply after one year.

Senior Judge

• Applicants with considerable judging experience (10 or more acceptable show evaluations), or who are listed on other judging lists that have a judge’s training program, that have: completed the online orientation and who score 85% or above on the open book exam.
• Currently listed Apprentice Judges that have gained 10 acceptable evaluations from shows they have judged that include at least two recommendations from Mentor Judges with whom they have judged may request to be listed as a Senior Judge.

Mentor Judge

• Senior Judges that have been listed on the WA State 4-H Equine Judge List for at least 5 years, and
• Have provided recommendations that evaluate their character and judging from each: an Apprentice Judge, a Senior Judge, and Show Management, and
• Are open and willing to have Apprentice Judges work under them at shows where they have been hired to judge.