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How To Not Annoy The Judge: A Guide to: Ride Smarter. Show Sharper. Win Bigger.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2026
7 people are currently reading
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About the author
Allison Deardorff
1 book1 followerAllison Deardorff is a lifelong member of the show horse community and a third-generation horseman. She is a nationally respected horse trainer, coach, and multi-breed judge whose career spans decades in the center of the Saddlebred industry and beyond.
She is a graduate of William Woods University, where she studied under renowned Saddle Seat instructor Gayle Lampe. Allison earned a double major in Political Science and Spanish, with a minor in Equestrian Science. While still in college, she worked at the highly regarded Callaway Hill Stable under Bob Brison and Burt Honaker and also trained with Virgil Helm, taking away invaluable knowledge and skills from these opportunities. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration while training horses full time, combining real-world industry experience with formal business education.
Following college, Allison worked for John T. Jones at Rosemont Manor, where she gained extensive hands-on experience with numerous young horses while guided and taught by John T., whose reputation in the Saddlebred industry speaks for itself. This experience further refined her approach to training, preparation, and long-term horse development.
Today, Allison owns and operates two training operations, one in Oregon and one in Kentucky, alongside her father, UPHA Tom Moore Hall of Fame member Don Deardorff. Known for her sharp eye, high standards, and consistent results, she has trained and shown world-class Saddlebreds and coached riders of all levels to the top of the sport.
She holds USEF Large R judge’s cards in American Saddlebred, Hackney, Roadster, Saddle Seat Equitation, and Morgan, and has judged some of the most prestigious competitions in the industry, including the World’s Championship Horse Show, the Morgan Grand National & World Championship Horse Show, and the South African National Championship Horse Show. While she has held her judge’s cards for over fifteen years, her training career began long before that, giving her a rare dual perspective that sets her apart in the industry.
In addition to her work in the training barn and center ring, Allison has played an active leadership role in the sport. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association Board of Directors and has previously served as Chairperson of United Professional Horseman’s Association Chapter 2. She also spent thirteen years on the Northwest Saddlebred Association Board of Directors in various roles, including President. These experiences have given her a broad, behind-the-scenes perspective on the industry that few competitors or judges ever see.
Allison is fiercely committed to raising the bar for horsemanship, rider mindset, and professionalism, both inside and outside the ring. This book brings together lessons learned from the judge’s card, the training barn, and decades in the spotlight, designed to help exhibitors stop guessing and start winning.
She is a graduate of William Woods University, where she studied under renowned Saddle Seat instructor Gayle Lampe. Allison earned a double major in Political Science and Spanish, with a minor in Equestrian Science. While still in college, she worked at the highly regarded Callaway Hill Stable under Bob Brison and Burt Honaker and also trained with Virgil Helm, taking away invaluable knowledge and skills from these opportunities. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration while training horses full time, combining real-world industry experience with formal business education.
Following college, Allison worked for John T. Jones at Rosemont Manor, where she gained extensive hands-on experience with numerous young horses while guided and taught by John T., whose reputation in the Saddlebred industry speaks for itself. This experience further refined her approach to training, preparation, and long-term horse development.
Today, Allison owns and operates two training operations, one in Oregon and one in Kentucky, alongside her father, UPHA Tom Moore Hall of Fame member Don Deardorff. Known for her sharp eye, high standards, and consistent results, she has trained and shown world-class Saddlebreds and coached riders of all levels to the top of the sport.
She holds USEF Large R judge’s cards in American Saddlebred, Hackney, Roadster, Saddle Seat Equitation, and Morgan, and has judged some of the most prestigious competitions in the industry, including the World’s Championship Horse Show, the Morgan Grand National & World Championship Horse Show, and the South African National Championship Horse Show. While she has held her judge’s cards for over fifteen years, her training career began long before that, giving her a rare dual perspective that sets her apart in the industry.
In addition to her work in the training barn and center ring, Allison has played an active leadership role in the sport. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association Board of Directors and has previously served as Chairperson of United Professional Horseman’s Association Chapter 2. She also spent thirteen years on the Northwest Saddlebred Association Board of Directors in various roles, including President. These experiences have given her a broad, behind-the-scenes perspective on the industry that few competitors or judges ever see.
Allison is fiercely committed to raising the bar for horsemanship, rider mindset, and professionalism, both inside and outside the ring. This book brings together lessons learned from the judge’s card, the training barn, and decades in the spotlight, designed to help exhibitors stop guessing and start winning.
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