The SHOW HIO has taken many steps in 2010 to ensure the integrity of the judging program is kept intact. As part of these changes, SHOW hired a Director of Judges to oversee the program. Rollie Beard has conducted his first judges’ applicant school and has worked diligently on the training of judges for the 2010 show season.
As part of the accountability process, all judges will have video cameras stationed behind them and those videos will be reviewed by Beard and his judges’ committee. These videos will be used for a variety of reasons including oversight, accountability and continuing education.
Rumors have been rampant in the industry that Michael Daniel, who judged the South Alabama Charity was suspended for failure to excuse a horse from the show ring. These rumors are completely false and no suspension has been levied against Daniel.
“We have followed our process of allowing multiple persons including myself and members of our judging committee to review tapes of Michael’s performance at the South Alabama Charity this past weekend. I have had conversations with Michael about his performance which will be standard protocol in 2010. My conversations with our judges will remain confidential. They are professionals and deserve to be treated as such. Any report that Michael is suspended for his performance in Andalusia is completely false,” said Beard.