Becoming an ISHSA Member

There are many benefits and advantages to becoming an ISHSA member.

On payment of membership, members receive a current copy of the ISHSA Constitution, By-Laws & Official Rule Book. The rule book includes the competition guidelines by which ISHSA shows and sanctioned events are presented. This includes information on the classes that can be held and their requirements, tack and attire for horse and rider, class conduct and procedures, and more useful information to help exhibitors have a safe and successful show experience.


The ISHSA Constitution, By-Laws & Official Rule Book also includes information about ISHSA, its organization and governing body, as well as information on the elements of organizing and obtaining sanctions for events.

Members receive the monthly newsletter to keep them in touch with the ISHSA events and news.

Click to Download your Membership Form


Members are encouraged to attend the monthly ISHSA meeting and voice their opinions on the issues that shape ISHSA. Individual and family memberships are entitled to vote on all issues brought to ballot at a general membership meeting.

ISHSA is a non-profit organization, ran by a staff of hard working volunteers. Members are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the organization by volunteering their time and talents.


Members are also eligible to compete for year-end and annual awards. Points are awarded for performance, participation and achievement and accumulated through the year. For a complete list of award categories, please visit the awards section of the website.

ISHSA membership in not required to compete at ISHSA sanctioned events, but current membership is required for points to be accumulated for year end and annual awards.


Individual and Family memberships may be purchased at any ISHSA sanctioned event from the show secretary. Memberships purchased at an event become valid at the show, allowing points earned to apply toward year-end award totals. You may also click here to download a printable .pdf individual and family membership form. Fill out the form, include payment and send to the address listed on the form.

Clubs and organizations may also become member organizations of ISHSA. Member Organizations may hold sanctioned ISHSA shows and may send a delegate to ISHSA. Once the Executive Committee formally recognizes the delegate, he/she is entitled to one vote on the Executive Committee.



Becoming an ISHSA Judge


To become a judge, each applicant must be participate in an ongoing educational program, including judges clinics, learner judging and testing to become a fully certified ISHSA judge.

While it can be helpful to hold a judges card in a specific breed or organization, the wide variety of breeds represented by ISHSA require a great deal of study and knowledge. Each applicant must be ready to educate themselves to correctly access the individual animals for their breed standard and accept the challenge of judging open breed classes where individuals are judged to their own breed standard and then comparatively placed against each other.

Once certified, judges continue their education and upgrade their skills through clinics and seminars given by ISHSA and other breed organizations. Judges must be re-certified by written test every year, and attend the ISHSA judges seminar and pass the live judging exam a minimum of every third year. This process assures they are current on rule changes and additions as well as new classes and breed types who have joined ISHSA since their original certification.



Becoming an ISHSA judge can be a challenge, but it can also be very rewarding. ISHSA firmly believes in supplying their judges and judge applicants with a current and ongoing education. In addition to their Judging clinic held each fall, they also have a library of information to help each applicant and certified judge gain the education they need to be a success judge and horseman. For more information on becoming a judge for ISHSA, please see the “Procedure for becoming and ISHSA judge” in current copy of the ISHSA Constitution, By-Laws & Official Rule Book.  List of Approved ISHSA Judges

Information about the annual judges clinic, held each fall in the Eastern Idaho area, please click here for additional information. The judges clinic is open to judges and judge applicants as well as interested ISHSA members who wish to audit the course to educate themselves on the wide variety of breeds and classes represented through ISHSA.




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