Teens take the reins of horse show judging

Young riders, such as these in the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 15-17 years on Walking Mares or Geldings Class at Thursday night's Celebration, can improve their showing skills by learning how to judge walking horses as well as ride them. The Youth Day judging competition and clinics will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Champions Arena. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

That's their job -- to judge. On Saturday morning, about 250 middle and high school-aged children will invade the Celebration to practice and pit their walking horse judging skills against each other.

Since 1977 (with a brief lapse from 1979-1982), students have been coming to the Celebration as part of the Saturday Youth Day, thanks to the brainstorm and effort of David Whitaker, director of the Horse Science School of Agriculture at Middle Tennessee State University.

The youth are encouraged to participate in all levels of showmanship at the Celebration, from riding, such as Thomas Derickson of Shelbyville is doing on She's Armed With Poison in Thursday night's Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Walking Mares class; or learning how to judge the horses they are riding. Thomas won reserve in the class. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge]

"I was involved in livestock judging in high school," said Whitaker.

He went on to equine judging in college and then on to teaching the subject to others. He now coaches the judging team at MTSU.

Developing talent

Working with then-CEO of the Celebration Ron Thomas, Whitaker developed a similar program for high school and middle school students. Originally, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association helped sponsor the event, he said, and the Walking Horse Trainers' Association usually sponsors the luncheon. The Celebration now helps out and Doyle Meadows, the Celebration CEO, is especially interested in promoting the program. But then -- he has reason to be.

"Dr. Meadows announced for us for several years, before he became the CEO," said Whitaker.

The students judge seven classes, with four horses in each class. They score their cards just as certified judges do in "real" shows and their results are compared to those of the actual judges who participate in the event. At the end of the day, prizes are awarded. What kind of prizes? Ribbons and trophies, of course -- but also scholarships.

"We've given out more than $200,000 in scholarships over the years," said Whitaker. "We'll give out about $10,000 in scholarships and awards Saturday."

The contestants come from all over -- Tennessee, of course, but also Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and Illinois. While many of the young people are affiliated with 4-H or horse associations such as WHOA or WHTA, individuals can come compete on their own. Besides the judging competition, there are lots of workshops and lots of opportunities for learning.

Great results

"I learned a lot of decision-making skills and it definitely improved my public speaking skills," said Regan Aymett, a Bedford County Extension agent who participated in the judging program when she was in high school.

When the students present their score cards, she said, they can opt to explain their choices.

"You can prepare a little bit," she said, "You only have about 30 minutes to prepare and you have four classes to talk about. You don't have much time, so you really have to practice."

Aymett was on her 4-H's equine judging team, one that took on all breeds, not just walking horses. They won state and she made it to the national judging team. It involved a lot of travel and a lot of work, and as much as she enjoyed being around the horses, she wasn't tempted to repeat the experience on a college team.

"I hated it," she said, laughing. "I had to travel all over. I had to sweat."

Fate is funny, though.

"Then I got into Extension -- and I had to teach it," she said. "I had to drag out all my old books."

Building for future

Whitaker and Aymett see the program as being beneficial for the children and for the future of the breed.

"I think it's really good for the kids," said Aymett. "It builds up the confidence."

"We're trying to get them to really like this breed and be more knowledgeable about it," said Whitaker. "Some have the talent to go on and judge in the center ring. It's the first phase of developing the kids' excitement and it gives ideas to the kids who are good at it."

In fact, he said, several of his former Youth Day judges have gone on to be certified judges, such as Paula Gambill.

Judge -- or not?

Aymett hasn't applied for a judge's license and isn't sure she wants to.

"I have a hard time being objective," she admitted. "I don't want to lose all the friends I've made."

In fact, she said, sometimes her 4-Hers outshine her.

"Sometimes the kids will see it like the professional judges and I'll see it differently," said Aymett. "I think they learn so much -- including that everybody has an opinion and that's just what is, an educated opinion."

She does recognizes the Youth Day judging program as a great starting point for her own 4-H kids -- even if they prefer riding around the ring, not scoring from the middle. She thinks the class makes them better riders, as well.

"I think it makes them evaluate why they get what places they get. They sit and think. 'Why did I place there? What would be my criteria?' Now, when they show, they can say, 'Now I know why.'"