National Hunter Alliance Aims to Strengthen and Broaden Current Judging Pool
Equestrian News Release

Top professionals in the Hunter Industry ban together to change licensing process.

Bridgehampton, NY – September 1, 2006 -The “National Hunter Alliance” (NHA) is a newly formed committee of top professional horsemen, dedicated to the improvement and upgrade of the “Hunter” industry.

Ronnie Beard of Wellington, FL, spear headed the formation of the NHA. Besides being an “R” judge, Beard is an accomplished rider, trainer, and stable manager. “The dwindling number of competent judges in the United States is alarming,” he explained. “There are a number of talented professional who would give back to the industry (by judging) if given the opportunity. The quality standards of the sport must be set by the best in the business, and most of these top professionals are struggling to keep their own businesses a float,” he reasoned. “There has to be a process in place that channels their knowledge and experience now…not when they have retired and have the time to get their “R”. We need to encourage involvement from the very best, not discourage individuals who are in the prime of their careers.”

Two meetings were held during the Winter Equestrian Festival to discuss the formation of this group and the problems experienced in the show world today. The current agenda of the NHA is the expedition of licensing top professionals in an efficient method so as to strengthen the current judging pool.

The current system is extremely time consuming and costly to obtain a big “R” judge license. Unfortunately the top professionals in our industry do not have the time it takes to go through the process; therefore most do not even attempt it. The NHA is working on coming up with a system that a “top professional”, who has proven himself in the “Hunter” industry by producing top horses, riders, etc., be given an opportunity to obtain their license without going through all the rigorous steps that the system now demands. The NHA feels the industry needs to see more “professional” horsemen judging so they can be judged by their peers.

The meetings held on February 28 and March 14, 2006 were attended by: Alex Jayne, Andre Digneli, Bill Moroney, Bob Crandall, Bruce Duchossois, Chris Gilman, Claudia Rollin, Colleen McQuay, Danny Robertshaw, Dee Matter, Ellen Raidt Lordi, Eve Lloyd Thompson, Geoff Teall, Heather Irvine, Helen Varble, Jack Towell, Jay Golding, Jay Matter, Jennifer Bauersach, Jimmy Torano, John Roper, Kelly Farmer, Ken Smith, Lainie Wemberly, Larry Glefke, Leo & Samantha Conroy, Linda Esau, Linda Andrisani, Louise Serio, Margie Hough-Sabbitino & Thomas Sabbitino, Michelle Grubb, Morgan Thomas, Nardeen Henderson, Nora Frederickson, Otis Brown, Pam Baker, Patricia Griffith, Patty Harnois, Peggy Gehman, Randy & Pam Mullins, Rick Fancher, Ricky Harris, Rodney Bross, Ron Danta, Ronnie Beard, Sandy Ferrell, Scott Williamson, Steve Weiss, Sue Ashe, Susie Humes, Tammy Provost, Tim & Kelly Goguen and Val Renehan.

During the two meetings, a survey was taken to see who the committee would like to see considered for an “expedited judging license.” Of the seventy plus names submitted, the following are the top ten choices: Sandy Ferrell, Andre Dignelli, Morgan Thomas, Tommy Serio, Scott Stewart, Havens Schatt, Jennifer Bauersachs, Peter Pletcher, Rodney Bross and Val Renihan.

The NHA is currently working with the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) judges committee headed by Geoff Teall to accomplish it's goals. The mission of the USHJA is to unify and represent the interests of all levels of participants in order to promote and enhance the hunter/jumper discipline and provide educational experiences in a manner that will benefit both horses and members. Beard is a member of both committees and acts as a liaison between them. “It is a rare occurrence when big numbers of professional ban together for the sake of the industries future,” Beard concluded.

PHOTO: National Hunter Alliance Logo. Courtesy of Designer.