Breeding Judge Program

GOAL

The goal of this paper is to establish a written program that if followed will lead a person to become an International Breeding Judge as recognized by FEIF.

BACKGROUND

As the Icelandic Horse has developed beyond the stage of an exotic novelty in the US to a recognized character in equestrian sport, it has become necessary for the USIHC to emphasize the internationally recognized breeding standard. Breeding shows or evaluations are the primary educational tool to demonstrate the appropriate equine qualities. These events require several personnel to operate. The panel of judges is essential. Their qualifications are the result of a test conducted under the auspices of the FEIF breeding committee and Holar University. The prerequisites for taking this test are generally outlined in the FIZO under education of breeding judges. The following program addresses the prerequisites for Americans who want to enter this field of endeavor.

PROCESS

The steps listed below will be followed in sequential order by persons seeking the position of International Breeding Judge.

• Qualify as either an Intern Sport Judge, a beginning level FEIF recognized teacher/trainer or meet the requirements of FIZO or have an equivalent education approved by the chairmen of the education and breeding committees.
• Attend a seminar and pass the test for an intern or national breeding judge. This seminar must be taught by a person recommended by the current Icelandic Breeding Advisor or FEIF Breeding Leader. This seminar may be taken in a foreign country.
• Practice breeding judging with FEIF certified international breeding judges. This practice will continue until a head judge at an evaluation either writes a letter or signs an affidavit indicating that the intern breeding judge is of the caliber to attend the International Breeding Seminar or the intern breeding judge has practiced the judging of 100 horses for both conformation and rideability within two years and has a recommendation from the board of the USIHC.
• Attend the International Breeding Judge Seminar and pass the test.

CURRENCY

The chairperson of the Education Committee will provide each Intern Judge with a card indicating their position and the date of expiration. This date will be December 31 two calendar years following the year in which they pass the test. If the test was passed in June of 2007 the expiration date would be December 31, 2009. During this two year period the Intern Breeding Judge must practice judge at least 75 horses for both conformation and rideability. Evidence of this practice will be accepted by use of the Intern Breeding Judge currency form available at www.icelandics.org under the Education Committee.

DEFINITIONS

Intern Breeding Judge — A person who has passed the test in the US for this position. Some FEIF countries consider this person a national breeding judge. This person can act as the USIHC breeding committee representative at International Breeding Evaluations in the US.

International Breeding Judge — This is a person who has passed the FEIF approved test for this position and meets the currency requirements as outlined by FEIF.

Practice Judging — Breeding judging is done by a panel of a least two judges. They discuss the appropriate scores and agree on them before the head judge writes them on the score sheets. The intern judge will participate in these discussions, share opinions, ask questions and over time develop an eye and thought process in accordance with those of greater experience.