Congratulations to all the youth that stepped out of their comfort zone and experienced something new and different in the form of our first-ever virtual horse judging contest. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we navigated this new platform! Contestants placed twelve classes (4 halter and 8 performance). In addition, each class had five multiple-choice questions that were answered in the form of a quiz. Junior Rookies submitted one set of written reasons on a halter class. Senior Rookies and Junior competitors wrote two sets of reasons, one halter and one performance class. Senior contestants wrote four sets of reasons on two halter and two performance classes. Reasons were scored by a panel of officials that consisted of former judging team members and coaches: Anna Ahlers, Laua Dickerson, John Falls, Bill Crouse, Julia Barrett, Kellianne Lunny, Taylor Jenkins, Alaina Cross, and Michaela Vick.

We were excited to offer the opportunity for our coaches to experience the contest! Coaches placed all twelve classes and also answered the quiz questions. The coach with the highest score in class placings was Karen Jones from Harnett County. The coach with the highest total score was Kate McAlinn from Johnston County.

The North Carolina 4-H Horse Program is thankful for the following sponsors that provided awards for this contest:

South Central District 4-H Horse Program

c/o Amanda Baucom

718 Baucom Deese Road

Monroe, NC 28110

North East District 4-H Horse Program

c/o Sandy Hall

1006 Eastern Ave #102

Nashville, NC 27856

We were also fortunate to have the assistance of the American Quarter Horse, American Paint Horse, and the National Snaffle Bit Associations. These organizations provided classes and footage for our virtual contest.

Congratulations to our youth! Awards have been mailed out, and we would love to see pictures of the contestants with their awards once they receive them! Please tag us on Instagram and/or Facebook and include the hashtag: #NC4HVirtualHJ

2020 NC 4-H Virtual State Horse Judging Contest Results

Cloverbud Participants

Contestant	County	Coach
Sarah Dowell	Stokes	Jessica Dowell
Toot McCauley	Cumberland	Savannah Lindsey
Delaney Murnan	Harnett	Karen Jones

Junior Rookie Division Top 15

Rank	Contestant	County	Coach	Score
1	Bryleigh Colbert	Nash	Wanda Bunn	1111
2	Abbie Lowdermilk	Rockingham	Jessica McVey	1054
3	Halle Taylor	Duplin	Tara Taylor	1041
4	Ella Weaver	Forsyth	Kate Weaver	994
5	Nora Isbelle	Duplin	Connie Johnson	968
6	Olivia Riggins	Cumberland	Savannah Lindsey	932
7	Colton Irby	Halifax	Beth Burchell & Jodie Knight	920
8	Libby Durbin	Cumberland	Savannah Lindsey	903
9	Addison Shepherd	Johnston	Raegan Shepherd	891
10	Cassidy Conwell	Halifax	Beth Burchell & Jodie Knight	888
11	Mackenzie Hubbard	Halifax	Beth Burchell & Jodie Knight	881
12	Rylee Crocker	Gaston	Billie-Jo Waelz	870*
13	Graham Zeiders	Halifax	Beth Burchell & Jodie Knight	870*
14	Adilynne Doub	Stokes	Jessica Dowell	866
15	Shelby Taylor	Union	Samantha Taylor	838

*Ties broken on reasons score