Young horse judgers’ from around the country put their skills and knowledge to the test July 1 at the 2017 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show. Judging performance and halter classes, 18 senior teams and 14 junior teams defended their final placings in the reasons room as they demonstrated judging sovereignty.
Connor Pell of Chouteau, Oklahoma, competed in the Junior division and took home the top honor of high point individual and left with an armful of prizes. Along with teammates Scout Timmins, Grace Hudgins and Sophie McLochlin, his outstanding performance helped secure Chouteau 4-H as the overall high-point team for their division.
“This is my first year winning this contest. I was really anxious this morning to get up and see how I did,” Connor said. “My teammates and I have had a wonderful time in Fort Worth, and the judging competition has been great.”
The contest was jointly sponsored by the American Junior Paint Horse Association and the Appaloosa Youth Association; awards were presented to individuals and teams for their effort in four areas: halter, performance, reasons and overall. Contestants competed for a variety of prizes, including a $500 scholarship for the high-point individual in each category and Gist Silversmith belt buckles for the high-point team overall in each age division.
Winners included:
JUNIOR DIVISION
Overall High-Point Team
- Chouteau Horse Team # 1
- Adair FFA #2
- Corridor Competitive
- Minnesota Arabian Horse Association
- Adair FFA #1
Overall High-Point Individual
- Connor Pell
- Sophie McLochlin
- Abby Kaska
- Dax DeLozier
- Anelise Wilson
SENIOR DIVISION
Overall High-Point Team
- Illinois Quarter Horse Association
- Williamson County 4-H
- Chouteau Horse Team #1
- Chouteau Horse Team #2
- Comal County 4-H
Overall High-Point Individual
- Mckenna Lindsey
- Bailey McDaniel
- Kohlsyn Gibson
- Bridget Stanton
- Hannah McLochin
Special thanks to Contest Coordinator Lori Wunderlich, horse providers and exhibitors, as well as the volunteers, staff and officials that made this contest a success.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.