The DeKalb County 4-H Horse Judging team recently traveled to Murfreesboro for the Central Region contest held at MTSU. Contestants included Kayla Belk, 9th grade, and Lily Martin, 6th grade, who competed as individuals. In the Junior division for 4th & 5th grades, Cooper Brown, Macey Cox, Raiden Griffin, Colton Kirby, and Maeloree Kirby placed 3rd overall. This was everyone’s first time to participate in horse judging.
During this event, youth put their decision making skills and horse knowledge to the test. Contestants watched five performance classes, including western pleasure, hunter under saddle, reining, and walking horses. 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. Senior high members in 9th-12th grade have another portion to the contest: oral reasons. 4-H’ers must verbally defend why they placed a class as they did. This step requires youth to think under pressure and develops public speaking and communication skills.
DeKalb County was very well represented at this regional contest! Each 4-H member should feel proud of their accomplishments. To learn more about horse judging, or any 4-H activity, please contact the DeKalb County Extension Office at 615-597-4945.
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Photo Captions:
Group:The DeKalb County 4-H Horse Judging team at the regional contest: Cooper Brown, Colton Kirby, Lily Martin, Raiden Griffin, Maeloree Kirby, Macey Cox, and Kayla Belk
Third Place: DeKalb County 4-H Horse Judging Jr. team wins 3rd place at the regional contest: Maeloree Kirby, Cooper Brown, Macey Cox, and Colton Kirby. Not pictured: Raiden Griffin
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