STARTING IN 2026, THE INTRODUCTORY HORSE JUDGING SHORT COURSE AND OPEN HORSE SHOW JUDGES' CERTIFICATION CLINIC WILL BE HELD IN ALTERNATING YEARS.
The Introductory Horse Judging Short Course will next be held in November of 2026.
The official date, location, and registration information will be posted by August 31, 2026.
NC State University-Main Campus, 325 Riddick Hall 2401 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695
Course Description:
This short course is designed for individuals with limited horse show judging experience, coaches of youth judging teams, FFA instructors, and all individuals interested in becoming judges or in attending the Open Horse Show Judges Certification Clinic. Emphasis will be placed on teaching the judging systems appropriate for judging various classes in the western, hunt seat, saddle seat, and non-trotting divisions. Participants will have a unique opportunity to interact one-on-one with experts to improve their judging expertise while learning the judging techniques taught at North Carolina State University, whose 4-H teams have earned numerous national and world judging contest championships. Participants will receive a judging manual and judge a variety of video classes in a classroom setting. Participants will also receive in-depth instruction on the judging systems specifically designed to train intercollegiate and youth judging teams and horse show judges.Fee
The fee for the two-day clinic is $115.00. Registration must be completed by October 15, 2025, to avoid a $25 late fee. Registration fees are refundable if requested in writing prior to the event. Substitutions for pre-registered participants will be accepted.NCSU Introductory Level Judging Short Course 2025 Registration Link (Eventbrite)
If you have registration questions, please contact Lori Stroud: llstroud@ncsu.edu, 919-515-5784.Location
NCSU main campus- Riddick 325Hotel Information
The Wingate/Wyndham (currently being rennovated and will be re-opening on October 28 as the Holiday Inn Express & Suites) Raleigh/Cary has standard queen rooms available for $105.00 per night plus tax, and King rooms with a pullout sofa are $95 per night. If you would like to call in your reservation, the group code is Intro Horse Judging. You can use the online booking link provided below. The cut-off date for booking at this rate is October 10, 2025.Wingate Wyndham/Holiday Inn Express & Suites
State Arena Raleigh/Cary
6115 Corporate Ridge Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
919.809.8660
Other Area Hotels:
Hampton Inn
111 Hampton Woods Ln.
Raleigh, NC, 27607
919-233-1798
Online Direct Booking Link
Home2 Suites Raleigh State Arena
6825 Chapel Hill Rd. Raleigh, N.C., 27607
919.863.9330
NCSU Horse Judging Short Course Manual Order Form 2025 (A copy of the manual is included with your registration for this course)
