Horse judging competitions assist in perfecting the skills and judgment necessary to evaluate horses for professional and recreational purposes, as well as strengthening vital reasoning and public speaking skills. Any 4-H member interested in learning to objectively assess and rank horses for conformation and performance are invited to participate. Horse ownership is NOT required for participation.
The team will be coached by Robby Plato, PhD, a Texas AgriLife Extension Master Horse Volunteer and member of the National Horse Judging Team Coaches Association. Dr. Plato has recently relocated to Smith County, and comes to us from a horse judging team that earned multiple District Championships, Open Championships, and top-five placings at major horse judging contests in Texas, including the prestigious San Antonio Livestock Exposition contest, in both Intermediate and Senior Divisions.
Some potential contests under consideration include Heart O' Texas Fair, Fort Worth Stock Show, San Antonio Livestock Exposition, San Angelo Stock Show, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the American Paint Horse Association World Show.
Contact the Extension office for more information, or Robby Plato at horseleader@gmail.com or 903-330-3848, and watch www.horsejudging.org for judging team news and announcements.
