Pictured: L-R: coach Kendra McConnell, Moriah McQueen, Jessica Jacobucci, Madalyn Gabel, Lily Thomas, coach Rachel LeClere
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 31, 2021
The Colorado Arabian Horse Club (CAHC)/Region VIII Arabian Youth Horse Judging Team dominated the U.S. Arabian & Half-Arabian National Championship Youth Judging Contest on October 29, 2021. The contest was hosted during the national championship show held at Tulsa Expo Square, Tulsa, Okla. The team members competed in both team and individual categories. As a team, they finished second in halter, first in performance, first in reasons and first overall, winning the National Championship by a narrow margin in an extremely competitive contest. Team member Moriah McQueen was named the High Individual Overall of that division and of the entire contest. With those honors, she brought home a $750 scholarship provided by the Arabian Horse Foundation, an entry into the Arabian Horse Association Professional Judges School and was invited into the championship show arena to judge a class with the official panel.
CAHC/Region VIII team members included Madalyn Gabel of Lafayette, Colo., Jessica Jacobucci of Brighton, Colo., Moriah McQueen of Berthoud, Colo. and Lily Thomas of Longmont, Colo. Madalyn was seventh in halter, fifth in performance, seventh in reasons and seventh overall. Jessica was fourth in halter, third in performance, first in reasons and fifth overall. Moriah was third in halter, second in performance, second in reasons and first overall in a tiebreaker. Lily was fifth in halter, first in performance, fifth in reasons and fourth overall. The team won the Junior AHA division and was named the National Champion team by a mere 13 points. The four team members were each awarded championship Montana Silversmiths buckles, $250 scholarships provided by the Arabian Horse Foundation and one national championship team trophy. This national championship marks the 20th win for the team since 2000 (reserve national champions in 2008). The contest is organized by the AHA in conjunction with the U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Show.
Click here for more information and results.
An inaugural award was also presented at this contest in honor of Jodi Zeier, legendary coach of the Colorado Arabian Horse Club/Region VIII and Boulder County 4-H Judging Teams for over 20 years. Her dedication to youth development and life skills made this award for the highest reasons score at the contest a fitting tribute. Both current coaches Kendra McConnell and Rachel LeClere were coached to many national titles, mentored and inspired by Jodi for numerous years. Olivia Charles of the Midwest Arabian Horse Club was the first honoree of the perpetual trophy with a perfect score of 50 in one of her sets of reasons.
The team is coached by Rachel LeClere of Firestone, Colo. and Kendra McConnell of Longmont, Colo. Both coaches were successful as youth and collegiates at the U.S. Arabian & Half-Arabian National Championship Youth Judging Contest many times as well as other national level competitions such as the Scottsdale Arabian Show, Paint World Show, All American Quarter Horse Congress, Quarter Horse Youth World Show and the 4-H National Roundup. They also coach the Boulder County 4-H Youth Horse Judging Team.
Competitive horse judging offers an exciting and challenging opportunity for youth to further their knowledge of horses. Team members learn to evaluate horse conformation and performance, while developing skills such as critical thinking, public speaking and team building. Contestants are scored based on how close their placings of mock classes of four horses are to the official panel. They are then asked to deliver a two minute, memorized oral defense of their placing of certain classes.
