4-H Horse Judging Teams Excel at Regionals

Dekalb County 4-H Horse Judging Teams (Back Row) Cody Robinson, Katlin Hutchins, Clayton Crook, Tyler Dunn, Emma Hancock, Tess Barton, and Evan Reid. Front Row: Kolton Slager, Riley Fuson, Hannah Redmon, Grady Hancock, and Izayah Dowell.

The Junior High Team of Shaelee Foster, Hannah Redmon, Riley Fuson, and Kolton Slager (not pictured) won 1st place the regional horse judging contest. Hannah was 2nd high individual and Shaelee placed 7th.

Izayah Dowell placed 8th overall and first in the performance category in his age group at the regional 4-H horse judging contest.

March 28, 2019
By: Leigh Fuson, 4-H Agent

The DeKalb County 4-H Horse Judging teams successfully competed in the Central Region contest held at MTSU in Murfreesboro.

All teams placed in the top ten, with one team taking top honors! During the event, youth put their decision-making skills and horse knowledge to the test. Contestants watched four performance (riding) classes that included hunter under saddle, western pleasure, horsemanship, hunt seat equitation, and ranch riding. The horses in each class were ranked 1-4 based on specific criteria needed for that discipline of riding. Three halter, or conformation, classes were also judged. These horses were judged on muscling, structure, and balance. After ranking the horses, the 4-H’ers’ decision was compared to that of the official judge, and a score was awarded.

The Junior (4^th & 5^th grades) team of Izayah Dowell, Tyler Dunn, and Grady Hancock placed 9^th with Izayah Dowell was 8^th high individual overall and 1^st in the performance category. In the Junior High (6^th-8^th grades) division, Shaelee Foster, Riley Fuson, Hannah Redmon, and Kolton Slager won 1^st place overall, 1^st in performance, and 2^nd in halter. Hannah was 2^nd high individual and Shaelee placed 7^th. The other Junior High team of Tess Barton, Emma Hancock, and Evan Reid was the 10^th place team. Our high school team of Clayton Crook, Katlin Hutchins, and Cody Robinson placed 9th. They have an added challenge of giving oral reasons to defend why they placed the class the way they did.

“I had a really good time judging and being around all the horses,” said Hannah Redmon. “I look forward to being a part of it again next year.” Teams practiced several times before the contest and represented DeKalb County very well at this regional event of around 200 participants! Each 4-H member should feel proud of their accomplishments and hard work. To learn more about horse judging, or any 4-H activity, please contact the DeKalb County Extension Office at 615-597-4945.