IHAA Judge Accreditation Pathway

There are 4 levels of IHAA Judges (L1-L4) and regulations specify the seniority of judge required to coach different levels of competition (categorised 1* ie local, through to 4*, international elite). These are summarised in the table below.

The IHAA is a worldwide organisation and it is important to us that people from all our member nations can train as a judge without incurring the significant expense of long haul travel (not to mention our responsibility to each reduce our carbon footprint). So the IHAA chose to use a mixture of online learning modules and assessment, alongside logbooks of practical judging experience signed by a more senior judge. Once qualified, judges will be required to log the competitions they are judging and complete a refresher course and exam every 2 years (or if there is a significant rule update).
Level 1 and Level 2 (ST) judges are qualified to judge straight track events. Level 2 (full) judges, and L3 and L4 judges are qualified to judge everything (ie. Hunt tracks as well as Straight track events). Record & Ranking events must have a presiding judge who is Level 2 or higher.

Information on how to access these courses can be found further down this page

IHAA Judging Panel

The IHAA Judging panel has oversight over the whole IHAA judging pathway, training and accreditation.
It is the highest level of authority in the field of judging for the IHAA.

The three members of the Judging Panel are:

• Anders Wredendal (Sweden)
• Gabriela Osiecka (Poland)
• Elizabeth Tinnan (USA)

List of IHAA Accredited Judges

Information about the Judge training programme

Eligibility for IHAA judge training:

• Nomination by IHAA Member Association / Special application direct to IHAA

Accessing the judge training programme:

• Visit the homepage of our online learning course and select Level 1 Judges course, then “Get this course”.
• If you are a new user you will be invited to register on the site and set your login details.
  You will be able to access the course once the site administrator has approved your request.
  This may take up to 48 hours. < < li>
• Before you can start the course you will need to upload evidence (in English) that you have permission to take this qualification, eg. a screenshot of an email or message from your national rep. If you are not from an IHAA member country please email us at

  learning.ihaa@gmail.com to discuss your application

• L1, L2 ST (straight track) and L2 Full are sequential. It is necessary to complete one before starting on the next.
• Sometimes learner accounts may become deactivated due to inactivity, or high numbers of sign-ups for the system.
If you need to access a deactivated account please email us

  learning.ihaa@gmail.com to request reactivation of your account

Full information about the course requirements and conditions for retention as an IHAA judge can be found in Section 5 of the IHAA Supplementary Rules. A summary of the levels is included below

IHAA Level 1 Judge

L1 requires completion of the following online learning modules & linked assessments:

• Judging principles and General & Competition rules
• Straight Track rules
• IHAA Postal match leaders
• www.ihaa.eu for users
• IHAA Code of Equine Welfare

IHAA Level 2 Judges

L2(ST) requires completion of the online learning and assessment modules:

• Applied judging
• Skirmish 90 & Turkish Tabla-4 Rules
• www.ihaa.eu for organisers

Plus demonstration of practical judging experience recorded in a logbook:

• Activity as a judge for more than 12 months, including running four 1* competitions
• Co-judging two 2* competitions (signed off by L2+ judge). Experiencing a broad range of roles and spending time shadowing the Head judge to appreciate their responsibilities in oversight of the competition and managing the judging team.

IHAA Level 2 (Full) Judge

L2(F) follows L2(ST) and requires completion of the online learning and assessment module:

• Hunt Track rules

Plus demonstration of practical judging experience recorded in a logbook: