Weekend Monitor Program

Weekend Monitor Guidelines

Guidelines For Weekend Monitor Program For Judges

1. Judges will not communicate with their Field Monitors during a show.
2. All Judges are required to leave the show with a copy of the judge sheets and a copy of the video of all classes judged.
3. Judges are required to communicate with the respective Field Monitor prior to mailing the videos and judge sheets.
4. A Judge is required to mail a copy of the judge sheets and video to the assigned Field Monitor no later than the Wednesday after the weekend judged.
5. Judges are required to be available for communication with the respective Field Monitor for a minimum of 14 days from the end of a show.

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

The National Cutting Horse Association has three types of Judge Monitors:

Staff Monitor (currently the Director of Judges)

• A full time member of the NCHA Staff.
• Not eligible to accept judging assignments.
• Not eligible to show in NCHA events.
• Not allowed to train cutting horses for the public. e) Manages and administers the NCHA Judges' Program.

Limited Age Event Monitor

• Not a member of the NCHA Staff.
• Monitors the Limited Age Events.
• A Limited Age Field Monitor may compete or own a cutting horse that is competing.
• Limited Age Field Monitor may train cutting horses for the public or privately for the purpose of sale or competition.
• May accept judging assignments.

Weekend Field Monitor

• Not a member of the NCHA Staff.
• Monitors Weekend shows only.
• A Weekend Field Monitor may compete or own a cutting horse that is competing.
• Weekend Field Monitor may train cutting horses for the public or privately for the purpose of sale or competition.
• May accept judging assignments.

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 videos and judge sheets for each judge?
Answer: No, the lowest ranking judge will take the videos 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 videos 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 videos 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 videos 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 video, 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 videos 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 videos?
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 videos to your assigned Monitor’s mailing address. The NCHA office is not equipped to accept the Monitor’s mail.

Question: What if my videos 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 videos 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 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 videos for the designated judge?
Answer: No, the designated judge must send the videos and judges sheets to the Monitor. It must be postmarked by the Wednesday following the show.