ECC Horse Judging Team places at AQHA World Show
Sunday / December 14, 2014
The Ellsworth Community College Horse Judging Team earned 5th place in Reasons and 6th place Overall at the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championship Show on Nov. 20 in Oklahoma City, OK. Two members of the team also earned individual placings at the prestigious international competition.
The ECC Horse Judging Team judged 12 classes (Tie-Down Roping, Calf Roping – Heading, Working Cow Horse, Western Riding, Ranch Horse Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship, and four halter classes) and gave six sets of reasons. The team placed 5th in Reasons and 6th Overall.
In the Limited Division, Jane Hoffman placed 1st Performance Individual and 2nd Overall High Individual. Hannah Nelson placed 5th Overall High Individual, 4th Reasons Individual, and 9th Performance Individual.
The AQHA World Championship Show included 12 teams and more than 50 individuals. ECC team members included Taylor Clinton of Schleswig, IA; Kalyn Dixon of Omaha, NE; Jane Hoffmann of Deloit, IA; Isabelle Mixon of Bellevue, NE; Hannah Nelson of Plymouth, MN; Victoria Rohwer of Anchorage, AK; and Halle Wild of Greenfield, WI. They were coached by ECC Equine Associate Professor Megan Gogerty.
“All of the team members worked so hard to prepare for competition at the national level,” says Gogerty. “Honestly, I am continuously impressed with the dedication I see from this team. Congratulations to the Ellsworth Horse Judging Team on a very successful fall semester … we’re looking forward to more horse judging in the spring!”
In addition to the competitions, the ECC team practiced judging ranch horse pleasure with AQHA Judge Dolly Chayer and practiced judging roping with AQHA Judge Elsworth Harrison. The team also toured the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
The next contests will be April 8 in the Quad Cities and April 15 in Fort Worth, TX.
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured at the competition are, from left, Jane Hoffmann, Victoria Rohwer, Taylor Clinton, Isabelle Mixon, Hannah Nelson, Halle Wild, Kalyn Dixon, and Coach Megan Gogerty.