On October 2, the Watt Arena at the Will Rogers Memorial Center brought together aspiring judges from across the nation at the 2026 horseIQ Collegiate & Youth Judging Contest. With 115 individual entries and a combined 56 teams across six divisions, APHA awarded cash and prizes to top-placing individuals and teams. The event took place in conjunction with the 2026 APHA/WCHA Halter Million.
The annual event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. Special appreciation goes out to the National Snaffle Bit Association, World Conformation Horse Association, GBSD Technologies, Red Barn Riding Company with Margy and Cassidy Morgan, the 2021 Texas A&M Judging Team—Grace Foster, Ashley Bonner, Hannah Shasserre, Madison Strief and Holly Swason—and the 2023 Texas A&M Judging Team, composed of Reagan Bennett, Brooke Kiefer, Grace Parks and Megan Gajdica. Additionally, the Top 10 Senior College individuals in Halter, Performance, Reasons and Overall categories also received complimentary membership to the Pony of the Americas Club along with a year of POA provisional judge status.
Congratulations to the 2026 horseIQ Collegiate & Youth Judging Contest winners!
Senior Collegiate Division
Overall Team: Oklahoma State University—Caysie Wood, Keely Snodgrass, Jalynn Barenberg, Madailein Beard
Overall High Individual: Faith Fry of Texas A&M Maroon
Junior Collegiate Division
Overall Team: NEO A&M—Macyn Olson, Kaylee Seels, Brylegh Colbert, Emily Hopkins
Overall High Individual: Macyn Olson of NEO A&M
Limited Collegiate Division
Overall Team: Texas A&M
Overall High Individual: Riley Guidry of Texas A&M
Youth 14–18 Division
Overall Team: Texas Elite Blue—Grace Fry, Grace Spooner, Kaylee Scott, Ava Fry
Overall High Individual: Grace Fry of Texas Elite Blue
Youth 13 & Under Division
Overall Team: Texas Elite—Katriel Hwang, Rory Daughtery, Keira Bennington, Gentry Spooner
Overall High Individual: Katriel Hwang of Texas Elite
Limited Youth Division
Overall Team: Whitesboro FFA
Overall High Individual: Emerson Knabenshue of Whitesboro FFA
NSBA & WCHA Special Recognition
Senior Collegiate Division
WCHA High Individual in Halter: Faith Fry of Texas A&M Maroon
NSBA High Individual in Performance: Lesley Munoz of Texas A&M White
Junior Collegiate Division
WCHA High Individual in Halter: Macyn Olson of Neo A&M
NSBA High Individual in Performance: Ellie Ellis of Black Hawk East
Youth 14–18 Division
WCHA High Individual in Halter: Grace Fry of Texas Elite Blue
NSBA High Individual in Performance: Kaylee Scott of Texas Elite Blue
Youth 13 & Under Division
WCHA High Individual in Halter: Katriel Hwang of Texas Elite
NSBA High Individual in Performance: Katriel Hwang of Texas Elite
Full results are available online at apha.com/youth/contests/youth-collegiate-judging-contest.
By Makenna Batchelder; photo by Ruehle Photographix
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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 in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.