horseIQ World Championship Youth Judging Contest

June 20, 2026 | Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, Texas

Overview

Purpose: The horseIQ World Championship Youth Judging Contest cultivates evaluation skills, industry knowledge, and confident decision-making in young equestrians through live judging

Hosted at the APHA World Show, young judges showcase their skills in evaluating halter and performance classes for conformation, movement and class standards.

Eligibility

To be eligible:

4-H, FFA, AYA, AjPHA and other interested youth groups may participate
- All contestants in the Youth division must be 18 years old or under as of January 1 of the current year
AjPHA membership is not required to participate. There will be an increased entry fee for contestants without AjPHA membership.
- Any entries received after the pre-entry deadline will incur a $5 late fee per contestant.
Western attire is required for all contestants (long-sleeve shirt and jeans or slacks; blazer or tie are optional)
- No hats, caps or identifying clothing are allowed
Contestants may not have participated in an official, post-secondary Horse Judging contest, nor have been in training in preparation for a post-secondary Horse Judging contest.

Contest Details

Teams that consist of four members will have their lowest score dropped. A team consisting of three members will have all scores counted. Every contestant will compete for individual awards.

Divisions

Youth 14–18
Youth 13 & Under
Youth Limited

Classes to be Judged

Classes are judged in accordance with the current APHA Rule Book.
Eight to 12 classes are judged, including two to six halter and four to six performance classes.
Halter classes are separated by horse age group. Depending on the availability of horses, similar age groups may be combined into a single class (i.e. 2- & 3-year-old mares).
Performance classes are selected from the following: Western pleasure, Western horsemanship, Western riding, showmanship, trail, hunter under saddle, hunt-seat equitation, hunter hack, reining, ranch riding, ranch pleasure, ranch rail pleasure and ranch trail.

Contest Procedures

Timing and conduct of classes are conducted under the guidelines of the National Horse Judging Team Coaches Association.
All horses will be considered sound of mouth, wind and limb in halter and judged as they go in performance. All tack and attire are considered legal.
Each class consists of four horses. Handlers/riders are identified with numbered vests.
While the contest is in progress, no talking is allowed between contestants or anyone else except as directed by the contest officials. No pagers, cell phones or other forms of communication are allowed on any contestant. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.
Coaches will not have contact with their contestants at any time during the judging and reasons session. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.
Placing scantrons will be provided. Contestants must provide their own No. 2 pencils. Contestants may use clipboards, notebooks, plain paper, official APHA/NRHA score sheets or the APHA Rule Book so long as these items are clean and free of marks. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.
A group leader is in charge of each contestant group. Contestants are responsible for turning in their cards to the group leader when time is called. Late cards are not accepted.

Reasons

Contestants will give two sets of halter reasons and two sets of performance reasons, from the above class list, except for the Youth 13 & Under division. The Youth 13 & Under will only give two sets of reasons.
Contestants have two minutes to give their reasons to the official. Oral reasons are expected to indicate the contestant’s justification for their placement of the class.
Contestants are not permitted to use notes while giving reasons.

Questions

Contestants in the Limited Youth division will answer a total of 10 questions, worth five points each, from two classes. Five performance class questions will be announced at the conclusion of the performance classes or when the five halter class questions are asked.
Questions may be chosen from any class held at the contest and will be determined by contest officials.
Contestants are permitted to use notes while answering questions.

Prove Your Skills in the APHA Youth Judging Contest!

Step into the judge’s seat and put your evaluation skills to the test at the APHA World Championship Show. Compete with fellow Youth, sharpen your knowledge, and aim for top honors!

Enter Now

Tabulation & Awards

Fifty points constitutes a perfect score for a class placing and/or oral reasons.

Teams consist of four members with the lowest score being dropped.
Placing cards must be completed in full for a score to be tabulated. Cards that are blank, illegible or marked with more than one placing will receive a zero score.
All tabulated results of the contest are considered official, and no change will be made unless an error is made in entering a score or placing by contest officials. Errors made by contestants will not be corrected once the placing card has been delivered to a contest official, including a group leader.
Tie-breakers are outlined in the contest rules.

Awards

The awards ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the contest.
Youth 14–18: Top Five Overall Teams, Top 10 Overall Individuals, Top Five Category Individuals
- Cash prize and scholarships will be awarded to the top overall team and individual of the Youth 14–18 division
Youth 13 & Under: Top Three Overall Teams, Top Five Overall Individuals, Top Three Category Individuals
Youth Limited: Top 10 Overall Individuals

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