The Williamson County 4-H Horse Judging Teams finished the 2009 - 2010 judging season with solid placings and several individual record scores at the 2010 American Junior Paint Horse Association World Championship Judging contest held June 26 in Fort Worth.
The Senior team went to the Paint World Championships with a mission in mind -- to top their 2010 Fort Worth Livestock Show & Rodeo fourth place finish, to best their 2010 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Senior Champion Team award, to beat their 2010 Texas State 4-H Roundup Scores and to surpass 2009’s World Championship Scores.
Coach Lisa Onstot commented, “The good news is, the 2010 Senior Horse Judging team accomplished all of those goals at the 2010 American Junior Paint Horse World Championships. Not only did the team surpass those already outstanding efforts, every individual on the team beat their own personal best scores by more than 20 points. The frustrating part for the team is, as great as those efforts were, there were other teams who were perfect that day. This team deserves a tremendous amount of respect for a great season. They did what many thought was impossible.
“They started out solid and they kept getting better every time out. It is especially remarkable given that over half of the senior team members do not show (horses) in the events they judged at that contest – they prefer to rope, rein, rodeo, or don’t own a horse. One person on this year’s team had taken a two–year break from judging, another moved up from the Junior division in addition to having lost his mother due to cancer right after last year’s World Championships, and the third anchor member of the team doesn’t own a horse. That speaks volumes toward this team’s dedication, so no matter what the ribbons say they are World Champions in my mind.”
The Senior Team competing at the 2010 American Junior Paint Horse Association World Championship included Amelia Tanner (Cedar Park), Aubrey-Ann Gilmore (Cedar Park), Dylan Newsom (Granger) and Sydney Lemanski (Georgetown). The Senior team highlights included Amelia Tanner’s sixth place Overall Individual Senior Judge, accompanied by her 13th place in Halter, ninth place in performance, and 15th place in Reasons.
Amelia Tanner and Dylan Newsom dropped only one point apiece in the Halter Division. Regardless, Dylan Newsom posted personal best scores in Halter, and delivered perfect scores in Western Riding and Hunt Seat Equitation.
Aubrey-Ann Gilmore had a stellar day, with perfect scores in Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Riding and missed only four points in Halter. The fourth member of the team, Sydney Lemanski, “judged up” an age category. While technically a Junior, she opted to support the team by filling in an open slot on the Senior Team.
Onstot was especially proud of Sydney’s bravery as the contest required seniors to present four sets of reasons, even though she’d previously only given one Junior set in any prior competition. Sydney missed only five points in the Halter division, and competed like a seasoned competitor throughout the day.
Not to be outdone, the Junior team of Shelby Bremigan (Jarrell), Mikayla Larramore (Granger), Faith Onstot (Granger) and Hope Onstot (Granger) took third place in the Overall Open Junior division, second place in Halter, third place in Performance and second place in Reasons.
Hope Onstot was the Reserve Champion Overall Individual Junior Judge, solidifying that placing with third place in Halter, fourth place in Performance and fourth place in Reasons.
Faith Onstot stood seventh in the Overall with a sixth place in Halter, ninth in Performance and third place in Reasons.
First-year rookies Mikayla Larramore and Shelby Bremigan were 14th and 19th in the Overall respectively, with Mikayla taking 17th in Halter, 14th in Performance and 16th in Reasons, while Shelby earned 16th in Halter, 20th in Performance and 10th in Reasons.
This team previously brought home a fifth place win at the 2010 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Horse Judging competition and numerous awards from other contests.
Lisa Onstot was, “especially happy to see the team progress throughout the year and retain a top-five standing given half of the Junior team had no previous competitive judging experience prior to beginning the season in October.”
Next year’s season will resume in December. Horse Judging is a competitive event that compliments the horse curriculum in the 4-H and FFA programs. Horse judging excellence can create career opportunities for youth, and possibilities for advancement in collegiate programs. Horse ownership is not required, however, membership in any Williamson County 4-H program, good grades and fantastic work ethics are a prerequisite.
Team placement is earned throughout the year based on schedules, participation, scores and strategic planning for premiere events. The teams practice two hours per week for six months of the year, and are expected to develop horse conformation, hunter and western rail event class knowledge. Those interested in joining the team can do so at any time throughout the year, simply contact with the Williamson County AgriLife Extension Office (943-3300) and ask to be referred to Lisa Onstot.
