Winners Announced for Saddlebred Junior Judging Contest at World’s Championship Horse Show

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its annual World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS) Junior Judging Contest on Tuesday, August 25, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky.

Horse show judging is an important part of ASHA Youth Programs, as these contests are an educational way for young people to learn about judging in a fun environment, while being educated about class specifications and show procedures for judging American Saddlebreds. Any individual, age 17 and under, was eligible to compete in this year’s contest, administered by Germaine Johnson, ASHA Youth Committee Chair, and Brenda Newell, ASHA Sr. Program Administrator. The contestants were required to judge a minimum of four classes, but no more than six classes, during today’s performance. All judging was done on an individual basis from a designated area, and no outside assistance was allowed.

The contest was a success, with 16 participants competing in two age divisions. The winner of the 13 and Under age division is 13-year-old Rebecca Doss, of Salem, Virginia. The remaining placings for the 13 and under division are as follows:

2^nd          Hope Haynes, Somerset, Kentucky

3^rd           Alexa Cole, Kansas City, Missouri

4^th           Kevin Zuercher, Hoover, Alabama

5^th           Carysanne Fielding, Finchville, Kentucky

6^th           Holly Hein, Nashville, Tennessee

 The winner of the 14-17 age division is 15-year-old Delynn Uttecht, of Omaha, Nebraska. The remaining placings for the 14-17 division are as follows:

 2^nd          Kelsie Zuercher, Hoover, Alabama

3^rd           Lisa Simonis, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

4^th           Allie Board, Louisville, Kentucky

5^th           Amy Hein, Nashville, Tennessee

6^th           Brooke Whitaker, Shelbyville, Kentucky

7^th           Rachel White, Waddy, Kentucky

8^th           Nettie Melanson, Shelbyville, Kentucky

For more information about ASHA Junior Judging Programs, please contact Brenda Newell at (859) 259-2742, ext. 343, or by email at [email protected].