Callie Beach puts her horse-judging skills to work
Callie Beach of Shallowater, Texas, has been coming to the APHA World Championship Show since she was in third grade, but this year offered a brand-new experience for the 13-year-old. Previously, Callie only competed in the horseIQ horse judging contests at the APHA World Show and Halter Million, testing her knowledge in mock competition-atmosphere evaluations. This year, though, she saddled up for a shot in the World Show arena aboard her own mount, Time For Royal Flash.
“I’ve always loved competing at the judging contest with my teammates,” she said. “It’s such a fun contest with great prizes and classes and horses that you get to judge—a really fun experience all the way around.”
From the Judge’s Chair to the Saddle
Callie bought “Baby Bean” in April 2024. She couldn’t wait to bring the 2018 sorrel overo mare to Fort Worth for the World Show.
“This is my first Paint Horse I’ve ever owned, so I was super excited to be able to have the opportunity to bring her here,” Callie said. “She’s a little quirky in some ways, but she’s super sweet and loves doing her job.”
The pair entered a variety of ranch classes at the Youth World Show—events that come easily to them.
“I’ve been doing ranch work ever since I was really young; it’s always kind of come natural to me,” she said. “I love being able to go to the trail obstacles and reining and working cows, so I really like to show off my horses in those classes.”
As a competitive horse judge herself, Callie understands what judges are looking for in each of her classes.
“When I come out of the show pen, I am definitely more self-critical. I penalize myself a little harder, but at the end of the day, it really helps me know how to be a better rider and how to improve my scores,” she said.
Her judging experience paid off. Callie and her mare won the Youth Ranch Box Drive world championship and earned a Top Five in Youth Ranch Reining and a Top 10 in Youth Ranch Riding. She appreciates the help she received from trainer, Wade Meador, and coach Christy Adams. They always believed in her, Callie says, even when she didn’t have as much faith in herself.
Wrapping up her inaugural World Show in the saddle, Callie enthusiastically recommends others give the event a try, either with their own horses or in the many Youth contests offered.
“It was awesome,” she said. “I would definitely recommend coming here.”
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.