University of Nebraska- Lincoln Horse Judging Team had successful year competing across the nation. This year’s team included Bailey Ziegler from St. Paul, NE, Neil Henderson from Ashton, NE, Caitlin Davis from Waverly, NE, Selena Finn from Winside, NE, Valerie Skaalrud from White Bear Lake, MN, and Joeli Walrath from Ashton, NE coached by Dr. Kathleen Anderson and assistant coach Haylee Lavoie.
A variety of contests allowed this year’s team to see a large diversity of the equine industry and meet professionals all over the world. The 2017 judging season started off in Tulsa, OK at Tulsa State Fair where UNL receiving 5th place overall. Next stop was Columbus, OH for the All American Quarter Horse Congress Collegiate contest. In the limited division Selena Finn received 2nd overall, 4th in halter; Joeli Walrath placed 1st in reasons and 2nd in halter; and Valerie Skaalrud was 7th in halter. In the open division Caitlin Davis was 18th overall and 11th in reasons.
After a great contest in Ohio at the largest one breed horse show in the world UNL continued to the 2017 AQHA World Championship Show Collegiate Horse Judging Contest held on November 12th in Oklahoma City, OK. Bailey Ziegler finished 8th in performance, 9th in halter, and 8th overall at the AQHA World collegiate show in the limited division.
The National Reining Horse Association Intercollegiate Horse Judging Contest came back this year with the great opportunity to judge live the NRHA futurity semi-finals finishing 10th overall as a team. The majority of this year’s team members were fortunate enough to compete in the limited division so they can compete as a team in the senior division to represent University of Nebraska-Lincoln next year. Next year’s season looks to be promising with talented individuals to represent the great state of Nebraska.
University of Nebraska Lincoln’s horse judging team would like to the Department of Animal Science for their support through another year to participate and learn about the equine industry!