Judging is Returning

On Sunday I made the drive up north to another county's fairgrounds for the first in person 4-H horse judging contest since 2019 (not including the 2020 national competition in January 2020 before all hell broke loose in this world).

It was both a beautiful day and a day filled with grief.  

A friend and fellow coach from Boulder County passed away on Saturday after being ill for several months.  She was a long time Colorado 4-H volunteer who was the heart and soul of the state's horse judging program.  She was not only a great coach, but she was a lovely person, my mentor, and someone I was proud to call friend.  Her and I spent many days together while she announced a contest and I tabulated.  My world is not the same knowing that I can't reach out to her for advice anymore.  I've tried to be like my friend by continuing my volunteer role with 4-H for many years after my youngest aged out of the program.  I still have about 20 years to go to catch up with her length of service.

It was only fitting that she passed on the same weekend that horse judging started back up.  Rest in peace my dear friend.

The contest was relatively small--about 40 kids.  Masks and social distancing were required.  The day started under the covered arena with three performance classes followed by three halter classes.  This is my good friend, Jon, announcing.  I've known Jon for 21 years and have tabulated many contests for him.  He's got a great heart for the kids.

If you don't know about horse judging, the youth place each class of horses in the morning (there were six classes in this contest, but usually there are 8-10) then they have lunch.  Each class contains four horses which they place best to last.  A panel of officials will place each class alongside the youth.  The goal is to match or come close to matching the official's placings.  After lunch they have to give oral reasons to the officials to defend their placing.  They can get up to 50 points when placing a class and another 50 points for their oral reasons.  It's highly stressful for those who take it seriously.  Competition is especially tough in Colorado where many national champion teams have come from.  Above you'll see the girls facing the wall practicing their reasons prior to presenting them.

They wait in these long, socially distant lines for their turn.  This contest had 13 novice kids which was fantastic.  Novices are either less than 12 years old or this is their first contest.  They place the class, but only give one set of reasons compared to the older kids who give three sets of reasons.  It was nice to see all these youngsters come out.

This was my office for the day.  I input everyone's scores into a judging contest software and compile the results.  This is also a stressful job because I need to have it all done as quickly as possible after the contest is completed because after an eight hour day everyone is tired and wants to go home.  I have to say that I'm pretty good at it.  I carry along my own office including computer and printer and any office supply anyone might need.  In addition to the county contests I tabulate, I have also been asked to tabulate the national contest every January for the last 10 years or so.  That's my only paying gig.

My parents taught me that volunteering in your community is essential.  I've been a 4-H volunteer for over 20 years.

What's your favorite place to volunteer?