Weekend Monitor Program

The Weekend Judge Monitor System

The Judges Rules Committee and Executive Board have been committed to the weekend monitoring system which is designed to help, educate and support our weekend judges. This system went into effect the 2005 show season which officially started December 28, 2004.

Each Judge is assigned a Weekend Monitor. All judges have received a letter from their Monitor along with details of their duties and responsibilities.

It is important that Show Management and judges understand and appreciate the educational value of this system and use it to their advantage. This system gives all judges the opportunity to receive the same education that the Limited Age judges have been receiving for years. This is their chance to improve their judging skills by working with their Field Monitor.

The judge is required to get a copy of the video of the classes that he or she judged and a copy of the judges sheets PRIOR to leaving the show grounds. When there are multiple judges the Show Management should release the tapes and sheets to the lowest ranking judge. If the judges have the same rank then the one with the lowest number of credits will receive the tapes. If a judge fails to pick up their tapes and judge sheets the NCHA office should be contacted immediately. Show Management should NOT mail in the tapes for the judges

Judges may review key areas of the video at their discretion. Each judge is required to contact his or her assigned Monitor prior to mailing the tapes and a copy of the judge sheets to the assigned Weekend Monitor. They must be postmarked by the Wednesday following the last day of the show.

Show Management should make sure that their Video Contractors are aware of and are complying with the new requirements PRIOR to the show. Please make sure that the video recorders are set on the long playing (LP) system to assure the minimum amount of tape usage. Please put as many classes as possible on each tape. Videographers that supply the judge with tapes that are unacceptable will be fined according to NCHA Standing Rule 6.c.

NCHA has committed the financial resources to improve our judging. "All Judges need to strive to improve their judging skills and be held more accountable." Extra effort and cooperation from the Judges and Show Management can make a positive difference in judging and to the entire NCHA judging program.

Expand all

Weekend Monitor Program Information

Weekend Monitor Guidelines

Types of Weekend Monitors

Weekend Monitor FAQ

Question: If there are some Limited Age Events within a regular Weekend Show does the show need to supply videos and judge sheets for the LAE classes too?
Answer: No, only the regular Weekend Show classes are monitored though this program.

Question: What if I judge a “multiple judge” show? Does the Show Management provide tapes and judge sheets for each judge?
Answer: No, the lowest ranking judge will take the tapes and judge sheets. If there is more than one judge of the same rank the judge with the lowest number of credits will take the tapes and judge sheets. The judge should be designated prior to the end of the show.

Question: Does the Show Management need to supply two sets of tapes if they have two shows judged at the same time?
Answer: Only if the shows are considered completely separate and have applied for separate approval.

Question: What if the “designated judge” of a show fails to pick up or mail the tapes and judge sheets on time?
Answer: The “designated judge” will be subject to disciplinary action. If you feel that this is the case you should contact the NCHA office immediately at 817-244-6188 extension 158 or email tkimmel@nchacutting.com.

Question: If I have a question may I contact my Monitor during the show?
Answer: No, you may not have any contact with your Monitor until after the entire show is over.

Question: How can I find out the name of my Weekend Monitor and how do I contact him or her?
Answer: If you need to contact your assigned Monitor you may call Tammy Kimmel at 817-244-6188 extension 158 or email her at tkimmel@nchacutting.com.

Question: Do I have to watch the entire video of the show?
Answer: No, you can view the show at your discretion. You should watch the classes that you might have had a question about.

Question: What if I realize, after watching the tape, that I made a mistake. Will I be reprimanded or fined by the Monitor or NCHA office?
Answer: No, not unless a regular protest was filed by a contestant within 7 days of the show. The Monitor program is strictly a support and educational process.

Question: What happens if I don’t call my Monitor about a particular class after the show?
Answer: According to the new NCHA rules each Judge is required to communicate with his field monitor prior to mailing the tapes and judge sheets. If you don’t select any classes for review, your Monitor will spot check a couple of the classes at random. He will then do a report and call you within 14 days.

Question: What if I decide not to participate in the new Weekend Monitor system? Will I be able to still judge and keep my card?
Answer: No, as an NCHA judge you are required to participate. This program is designed to support, educate and improve your judging skills but if you decide not to participate failure to comply with the requirements of the Weekend Field Monitor Program may result in:

1st offense – letter of reprimand
2nd offense – $100 fine
3rd offense - $300 fine
4th offense – removal from the NCHA Judges List

Question: What should I do if the Show Management fails to provide me with a video or judge sheets?
Answer: Contact your Monitor or the NCHA office immediately at 817-244-6188 extension 158 or email tkimmel@nchacutting.com.

Question: What if the quality of the video is poor or damaged and can’t be used?
Answer: Contact your Monitor or the NCHA office immediately at 817-244-6188 extension 158 or email tkimmel@nchacutting.com.

Question: What should I do if I can’t make the deadline to postmark the tapes?
Answer: If you have extenuating circumstances you need to contact your Monitor or the NCHA office immediately at 817-244-6188 extension 158 or email tkimmel@nchacutting.com. You will be subject to disciplinary action if NCHA is not contacted by the Wednesday following the show.

Question: Can I just mail my video and judge sheets directly to the NCHA office?
Answer: No, you must mail the tapes to your assigned Monitor’s mailing address. The NCHA office is not equipped to accept the Monitor’s mail.

Question: What if my tapes are lost in the mail?
Answer: If you do not have proof of shipment you may be subject to disciplinary action. Call the NCHA office at 817-244-6188 extension 158 or email tkimmel@nchacutting.com if you feel that you tapes and judge sheets were lost in the mail.

Question: Has the routine of making a formal protest against a judge changed since the Weekend Monitoring System started?
Answer: No, the protest procedures have not changed.

Question: What are video tape requirements for the classes?
Answer: As of the 2007 Show Season all shows must provide DVDs. NO VHS tapes will be accepted. (Refer to the new “DVD Requirements” on the website) DO NOT set your DVD recorder on a mode setting that is long than two hours. Any more than two hours of playing time will reduce the picture quality drastically. Use DVD-R (minus R) disks for a higher compatibility rate.

As each horse approaches the herd the Videographer should speak into the camera. They should say, for example: “This is the Non Pro Class, third horse”. Please do not say the names of the horses or exhibitors. Show Management should make sure that their Video Contractors are aware of and are complying with the new requirements PRIOR to the show.

Question: Can the Show Management or another judge send in the tapes for the designated judge?
Answer: No, the designated judge must send the tapes and judges sheets to the Monitor. It must be postmarked by the Wednesday following the show.