Become a Carded Judge with IMHA

IMHA PARTNERS WITH ESTABLISHED EQUINE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONALS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICAN MUSTANGS TO COMPETE ACROSS A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES. IMHA-APPROVED EVENTS REQUIRE A CARDED IMHA JUDGE TO ENSURE FAIR SCORING AND THE SUBMISSION OF EVENT RESULTS SO MUSTANG POINTS CAN BE OFFICIALLY RECORDED.

What is an IMHA Judges Card

IMHA Judge’s Card — What It Is, Who It’s For, and How to Earn One

The IMHA Judge’s Card is an endorsement that allows qualified equine professionals to officiate IMHA-approved mustang events. It is designed to work alongside an applicant’s existing judging or professional credentials—not replace them.

IMHA recognizes and builds upon experience earned in established equine disciplines while ensuring mustang-specific standards, consistency, and welfare oversight.

Who Can Apply

Applicants for an IMHA Judge’s Card are expected to already hold a current judging card, professional membership, or recognized equine certification through one or more established organizations. Eligible backgrounds may include (but are not limited to):

American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) — Carded Judge or AQHA Professional Horseman
American Paint Horse Association (APHA) — Carded Judge or APHA Professional
American Stock Horse Association (ASHA) — Carded Judge
United States Dressage Federation (USDF) — Licensed or Recognized Official
United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) — Licensed Official (discipline-dependent)
USA Working Equitation (USAWE) — Licensed or Recognized Judge
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) — Certified Judge
American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) — Licensed Official or Ride Manager
Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) — Certified Instructor or Certifier
4-H — Approved Horse Judge

Equivalent professional equine certifications or judge credentials from other recognized organizations may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How to Earn an IMHA Judge’s Card

What an IMHA-Carded Judge Can Do

An IMHA-carded judge may officiate IMHA-approved events, including:

Mustang-only shows
IMHA-approved mustang divisions added to existing open, breed, or discipline-based events

As long as the event is officially IMHA-approved and a minimum of ten horses are competing (not all must be mustangs), mustangs may earn IMHA points based on their actual placings, even when competing against non-mustang horses.

IMHA-carded judges are responsible for:

Ensuring mustang placings and points are clearly identified
Submitting results to IMHA via an official event summary sheet
Upholding IMHA rules, scoring standards, and animal welfare policies