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, KY.

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 Senior Program Administrator. The contestants were required to judge a minimum of four classes, but no more than six classes, during the 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 was 13-year-old Rebecca Doss, of Salem, VA. The remaining placings for the 13 and under division are as follows:

2nd—Hope Haynes, Somerset, Kentucky
3rd—Alexa Cole, Kansas City, Missouri
4th—Kevin Zuercher, Hoover, Alabama
5th—Carysanne Fielding, Finchville, Kentucky
6th—Holly Hein, Nashville, Tennessee

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

2nd—Kelsie Zuercher, Hoover, Alabama
3rd—Lisa Simonis, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
4th—Allie Board, Louisville, Kentucky
5th—Amy Hein, Nashville, Tennessee
6th—Brooke Whitaker, Shelbyville, Kentucky
7th—Rachel White, Waddy, Kentucky
8th—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].