SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - Judy Martin of Shelbyville, Tennessee has been hired by National Horse Show Commission (NHSC) Executive Vice President Lonnie Messick to fill the position of Director of Judges. At a NHSC meeting held Monday, January 27, 2002 the Board approved the selection of Martin.

The effective date for Martin to begin is February 1, 2003. She will begin officially on Monday, February 3, 2003. Ms. Martin is well qualified for the job. She was a professional walking horse trainer from 1965 to 1995 and has served on the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association (WHTA) Board of Directors. In 1977-1978 Martin served as WHTA Vice-President. In 1977 Martin was voted Trainer of the Year.

Martin has also served on the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) national board from 1996-2002. She served as the Vice President of the TWHBEA Executive board from 1998 through 2002.

Martin served as the NHSC board alternate in 1985-1986 and 1999-2000. In 2001-2002, Martin was a NHSC board member.

In 1976 Martin won the 1976 World Grand Championship at the Celebration on Shades of Carbon.

Martin has held a AAA or Senior Judges’ license from 1967 until the present time. She has judged over 130 one night shows across the nation as well as many major multi-day shows including the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration; the International; Dixie Jubilee; Montgomery, Ala.; Panama City, Florida; Asheville, N.C.; Kentucky Celebration; Ohio Celebration; and Jackson, Miss.

Messick stated, “ Our main objectives that we are wanting to accomplish are to maintain credibility of the NHSC judging program, to promote the NHSC judges to show management, to provide assistance to current and prospective judges, and to create a high standard of judging.”

“Martin is qualified to do the job and we look forward to working with her and the judges’ program and maintaining our goals.”

NHSC has a judges’ applicant school scheduled for February 28, 2003 that will be held at the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville. On Saturday, February 29, 2003, they are offering a versatility and equitation seminar that several have expressed interest in and will be attending to be license in those two areas.