Cadence Blackwood and Taylor Mack topped the field when it came to showing their horse knowledge in the inaugural horseIQ Virtual Youth Triathlon. This three-part online challenge took place September through November 2023. Participants competed in prepared public speaking, skills demonstration and hippology challenges as part of this free Youth contest.
Blackwood, an 11-year-old from League City, Texas, presented “What to Consider When Purchasing a Horse” as her prepared-speaking topic and demonstrated how to bridle a horse. Mack, a 16-year-old AjPHA member from Tucson, Arizona, spoke about “Nutrition Basics for Horse Owners” and demonstrated how to saddle a horse.
Congratulations to our triathlon champions!
Overall Champion: 13 & Under Division
- Cadence Blackwood
- Dakota O’Rourke
- Peyton O’Rourke
Overall Champion: 14–18 Division
- Taylor Mack
- Ezekiel Visser
- Beatrice Davenport
- Christina Andognini
Triathlon Section Winners
Prepared Speaking
- 13 & Under Division Champion: Cadence Blackwood
- 14–18 Division Champion: Taylor Mack
Skills Demonstration
- 13 & Under Division Champion: Cadence Blackwood
- 14–18 Division Champion: Taylor Mack
Hippology Test
- 13 & Under Division Champion: Dakota O’Rourke
- 14–18 Division Champion: Taylor Mack
For full results, visit apha.com/ajpha/contests/horseiq-virtual-youth-triathlon.
##
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provided back to apha.com.]
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.