Judges List
Need a judge for your live show? Here are a list of judges to help you find the perfect judge(s) for your show!
To be added to this list create your own document. Then, email the document to me at [email protected] and let me know what country you would like to be listed under. See the resume template below on how to create your document.
Are you brand new to judging or have never judged but would like to start? Don't be shy! This is a way to get your name out there to show holders. We all started somewhere!
Long-time judge and think everyone knows you? Please participate! We are trying to encourage new show holders and one of the most daunting tasks for a new show holder is trying to find enough judges!
Wouldn't it be wonderful if show holders could have their judges all lined up before they even announce their show?
Thank you all in advance!
Please use this template when creating you document "resume":
Name, email address, divisions you can/will judge, type & length of model horse judging &/or showing experience, experience with real horses, art/customizing experience, time of year available, states/distance willing to travel & weather or not compensation would be required,
any other information you feel is important. Please be sure to answer all questions listed. See below to see the correct format. Be sure to look below to see how yours should look so you do yours correctly. When I get your resume I will cut & paste what you send me onto this page so be sure it follows the guidelines. Be sure it looks like the entries below. This way everyone looking for judges can easily see & read it.
This is not limited to the USA! There are sections for Europe, Australia & Canada below, more can be added!
Please use this template when creating you document "resume":
Name, email address, divisions you can/will judge, type & length of model horse judging &/or showing experience, experience with real horses, art/customizing experience, time of year available, states/distance willing to travel & weather or not compensation would be required,
any other information you feel is important. Please be sure to answer all questions listed. See below to see the correct format. Be sure to look below to see how yours should look so you do yours correctly. When I get your resume I will cut & paste what you send me onto this page so be sure it follows the guidelines. Be sure it looks like the entries below. This way everyone looking for judges can easily see & read it.
This is not limited to the USA! There are sections for Europe, Australia & Canada below, more can be added!
USA
Name: Melissa Steinkamp
Email address: [email protected]
Divisions you can/will judge: Breed: OF Breyer/Stone/Resin and Artist Resin. Collectability: OF Breyer
Type & length of model horse judging &/or showing experience: I have been active in the hobby live show community for over 20 years. I began live showing quite young (10 years old!) and feel like I have grown up in the live showing community. Since then, I have shown at many regional shows, and compete annually at Breyerfest Live, and bi-annually at NAN.
I began judging in 2021, and have judged at BreyerWest, River City Live, and Big Orange Bash.
I also judge and help host my own model horse show, Happy Kamper Classic with my family.
Experience with real horses: I showed Saddleseat with American Saddlebred’s for 20 years as well. I showed at both the world and national stage, as well as on my collegiate equestrian Saddleseat team for the University of Kentucky.
Art/customizing experience: None, I am an OF collector through and through!
Time of year available: Any time of the year.
States/distance willing to travel: I am willing to travel at least 4-5 hours in any direction of Louisville, Kentucky I do not need any compensation for judging, as long as I can also show! For any shows further than 4-5 hours drive time, a flight would be required and compensation discussed with show holder.
Any other information you feel is important: I run a fairly successful Tik Tok social media account with approximately 60K followers. I like to post content from shows I attend on my account, as many of my followers are curious about live showing! As a heads up, just be aware that your show will likely be featured on my channel if I attend!
Name: Megan Cotte
Email Address: [email protected]
Judges: OF Breyer/Stone, Customs, Artist Resins, OF China, Custom Glaze, Performance
Type and Length of model horse showing/ judging experience: I’ve been actively collecting for almost 15 years. For the past ten years I show for both myself and my full time proxy owner, Debbie Terry (California). Together we’ve attended shows all across the country, including NAN. During this time I’ve been honored to judge both on the regional stage and at NAN.
Real Horse Experience: My mother was a equine anesthesiologist and traveling vet tech. Horses have been in my life since the day I was born. I ride and train horses and people professionally. I compete in the hunter/jumper/equitation (formally) circuits. I was the IHJA Adult equitation medal winner in my last year competing as an amateur. Being in the horse industry for my whole life has given me many unique experiences and opportunities that I’m honored to have. From the highest levels at the race track to Olympian level sport horses I’ve been around it/cared for/ or rode.
Also, I own my own sports rehab and functional body work practice for horses.
Currently, I have two OTTB horses. One a former Calumet alum with his sire being the iconic Midnight Lute. Midnight Lute stands at Hill’n’Dale Farms with earnings of 2.6 million dollars. He was a two time Breeders cup sprint winner as well as the American sprint horse of the year setting the speed record for that year.
My other OTTB has earnings over $100,000 and raced all over the country as well. Also, I have four rescue ponies (2 miniature, one retired, and one hunter pony). Debbie Terry, my model horse proxy owner, has imported and boards with me a rare Kisber Felver mare from the Czech Republic.
Art/customizing skills: While I dream of becoming talented enough to contribute to the hobby, I don’t paint or have any sculpting skills.
My only contribution would be my business, Snuggie Sacks by Megan. I create and sell protective bags and silk linings for model horses all across the world. I’m so honored to have so many wonderful clients.
Time of year availability: Year Round
States/ distance willing to travel: I reside in IL. States that I’m willing to travel to via car would be: IL, WI, IN, IA, OH, MI, KY. Bordering states I will considering driving to as well. Further states I’m willing to travel via plane.
Compensation: for states closer to me, a free show entry/lunch or paid compensation is ideal. Travel accommodations aren’t necessary. For any requiring a flight, some travel expenses would be ideal. Thank you!
Name: Shannon Call
Email address: [email protected]
Judges: OF Breyer and performance
Type and length of model horse showing and/or judging experience: I have been collecting model horses since the 1970s. I began showing in photo shows in the 1980s then returned to showing at live shows in 2017. I have been judging since 2020. I have judged OF Breyer for breed and performance. I currently show in OF Breyer and Stone in breed and collectability as well as performance. I am a new judge but we all have to start out sometime!
Experience with real horses: Currently I have a 3 year old quarter horse mare who is just beginning her show career in western dressage and aqha ranch classes. I have owned and showed horses for the past 40 years competing in 4-H, USEF hunters, IHSA, western and traditional dressage and AQHA all around events.
Art/ customizing experience: Unfortunately I lack the ability or patience to develop skills in the customizing area. I do own many ARs and custom plastic models though.
Time of year available: Year round.
States/ distance willing to travel & whether or not compensation would be required: I am located in NE Ohio. Free entry into the show for divisions I am not judging and lodging if needed would be appreciated compensation. I prefer to stay within a 3 hours drive to a show location if I am traveling alone. Further shows will be considered based on time and factors of the show.
Name: Melissa Lauritzen
Email address: [email protected]
Judges: All divisions but performance.
Type and length of model horse showing and/or judging experience: I have been collecting model horses since I was a young girl. I began showing in 1995, and have been judging since 2017. I have judged OF Breyer, Stone, chinas; collectability Breyer, Stones, chinas, Artist Resins, and customs in both breed and workmanship. I currently show in all divisions except for performance.
Experience with real horses: I have owned two horses (Appendix Quarter Horse gelding and Miniature Horse colt). I was on the FFA horse judging team at my high school.
Art/ customizing experience: I have done a handful of customs and artist resins, most of which are multiple NAN qualifiers and section/division champions.
Time of year available: Year round.
States/ distance willing to travel & whether or not compensation would be required: Western US with a few months’ notice with free entry into the show divisions I’m not judging in; farther away with a few months’ notice and a small travel stipend (or a couch to crash on) and free entry into the show divisions I’m not judging.
Name: Chelsea Troutman
Email address: [email protected]
Judges: OF Breyer / Stone Breed/Collectability, CM / AR Breed/Workmanship & Performance
Type and length of model horse showing and/or judging experience: I have been showing model horses since
2014, although not as actively as I would like. I’m looking to show more actively now, once shows come up in
my area. I’ve mainly shown in OF, as that is the majority of my collection, but as I collect customs and resins I
am beginning to dabble in those divisions! I have shown lightly in performance, and now that I have begun to
make my own tack I plan to show in performance more actively. I have never judged a model horse show, but
I’m very familiar with the anatomical correctness of molds, collectibility of breyers, and I can recognize good
workmanship when I see it! I am familiar with performance as well, especially english! I super excited to start
judging!
Experience with real horses: I began riding at the age of seven. I started riding hunt seat on the 4H circuit on a
Paint horse named Rio. I’ve since moved on to the hunter/jumper realm, and I have also dabbled in dressage.
Most recently I’ve brought an OTTB to his first show in the 2’6 hunters, and we’ve since moved up to compete
in the 3’ jumpers! I am familiar with many horse breeds and know their color and conformational standards. I
am very familiar with all sorts of English events, ranging from tack standards to what the horse and rider should
be doing, but I am also familiar with western events as well.
Art/customizing experience: I have no customizing skills whatsoever (trust me, I’ve tried). However, I can
definitely recognize and appreciate good workmanship. Recently, I’ve begun to make model horse tack, and I
can’t wait to get it out in the show ring.
Time of year available: All year, but I have the most free time during the summer.
States/distance willing to travel & whether or not compensation would be required: North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Georgia. I also may travel out of region 6 to parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Ultimately, I’ll travel anywhere with 5 or so hours of Asheville, NC. As I am new to judging, I don’t expect
much in terms of compensation. I would ideally like a waived show fee.
Name: Julia Paige Platt
Email address: [email protected]
Judges: Most divisions
Type and length of model horse showing and/or judging experience: I have been collecting model horses since I was a young girl. I began showing in 2013, and have been judging since 2015. I have judged customs, novice, youth, and performance. I currently only show minis in all divisions.
Experience with real horses: I have shown horses since I was three or four. I have shown on the A-circuit in hunters, jumpers, and equitation. I also worked as a working student at a 3-day eventing barn, managed a cutting horse breeding facility of over 80 horses, and trained saddleseat horses. I competed in breed shows my whole life, winning many all-around titles. At age 16, I opened my first training barn, where I trained barrel and pole horses for the public. I am a national champion barrel racer, with many state titles as well.
Art/ customizing experience: I have done a handful of customs, all of which are multiple NAN qualifiers.
Time of year available: I try to do one show a month.
States/ distance willing to travel & whether or not compensation would be required: I am willing to travel within 8 hours of Corinth, MS (38834), give or take a little bit, especially if hotel and/or gas is compensated. I do like my entry fee to be paid in lieu of judging.
Name: Kat Jamison-Patnode
Email: [email protected]
Type and length of model horse showing and/or judging experience: I have been actively involved in the model horse hobby since 1998, and got my first Breyer in 1976. I prefer to judge performance, especially English classes, but feel comfortable judging all performance divisions. I can also judge Halter, both OF and Custom/Artist Resins. I am not as familiar with collectability. I have been the performance judge for Indian Nations Live and Mid-Kansas Live, as well as the Custom/Artist Resin division at Mid-Ark Model Horse Expo. I have also volunteered at the BreyerFest Children and Youth show as the announcer and as a judge.
Experience with real horses: I have taken many years of riding lessons, and always made friends with those who had horses. The stable that I took lessons at offered both English and Western, and I took advantage of that. I even had the opportunity to ride sidesaddle! This prepared me for when I was able to purchase my Paint mare in 2002; Sonny's Baby J. When I had to have open heart surgery in 2009, I donated my mare to the stable where she was being boarded, as she was a much loved lesson horse.
States/ distance willing to travel & whether or not compensation would be required: I live in Tulsa, OK, and will judge shows in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Colorado. I will need at least a couple of months' notice as I have to be sure I can find coverage for my job. I prefer to drive rather than fly.
Name: Julie Matz
Email Address: [email protected]
Divisions you can/will judge: OF Breyer breed and collectablity but prefer the OF mini classes.
Type & length of model horse judging &/or showing experience: Live showing. I've been competing in model horse shows for 20yrs and judging for 15yrs.
Art/customizing experience: I've been painting models and canvases for 5yrs+
Time of year available: Any states/distance willing to
Travel: KY and South OH. Weather or not compensation would be required, I would only ask for a table for possible sales.
Europe
Name: Irene O’Callaghan
Email: [email protected]
Location: County Cork, Ireland
Time of year: All year, with notice
Notice: 2 months
Travel: I’m willing to travel anywhere within Ireland, and to much of the UK. I may be
able to travel to any major city in Western Europe.
Experience: I have collected model horses for about 20 years, and photo shown/judged for
much of that, but due to my lack of proximity to live shows I have limited
experience in this area. However, I have vast experience with live horses
(showing, racing, breeding etc.) and can spot a conformational fault a mile off –
and I expect model horses to live up to those standards!
Judges: All divisions, preference for OF Breed, Color & amp; Performance
Compensation: Free coffee!
Email: [email protected]
Location: County Cork, Ireland
Time of year: All year, with notice
Notice: 2 months
Travel: I’m willing to travel anywhere within Ireland, and to much of the UK. I may be
able to travel to any major city in Western Europe.
Experience: I have collected model horses for about 20 years, and photo shown/judged for
much of that, but due to my lack of proximity to live shows I have limited
experience in this area. However, I have vast experience with live horses
(showing, racing, breeding etc.) and can spot a conformational fault a mile off –
and I expect model horses to live up to those standards!
Judges: All divisions, preference for OF Breed, Color & amp; Performance
Compensation: Free coffee!
Australia
Name: Danielle Seivers
Email: [email protected]
Judges: Most confident in performance, CM halter, AR halter, OF halter.
Located in WA, Australia
Travel: Will not judge out of state or country. Would prefer to stay in Perth metro area.
Notice: 3+ months notice requested. Time of year is not an issue as long as adequate notice is given.
Experience: Live show host since 2006. Hobbyist since 2005. Live and photo show judge across
similar time scales. Not a lot of hands-on experience, but I am an avid reader and very familiar with
many breed standards, types, performance rules etc through my own research as a shower.
Creative Experience: Tackmaker, have been making tack since 2006 under my studio/stable name
‘Daley Park’.
Compensation: Would appreciate free entry into the show if not judging the entire show.