The All-Youth Horse Judging Trials will be held in conjunction with the Illinois Horse Fair on Saturday at the State Fairgrounds in Springfield, IL.

The contest is presented by Horsemen’s Council of Illinois in cooperation with the University of Illinois and is being coordinated by Debra J. Hagstrom, Extension horse specialist.

This contest is open to any youth contestant between the ages of 8 and 18 (as of January 1 of this year) who is a member of 4-H, FFA or a breed organization. The All-Youth is a non-reasons judging contest known for its diversity in the classes presented. Classes in the past have included Baskir Curly Horses, Missouri Fox Trotters, Tennessee Walking Horses and Shetland driving ponies along with stock type horses.

Hagstrom plans to recruit judging contest horses from those involved in other aspects of Horse Fair. With the contest on Saturday morning, there will be no conflict with breed and sport demos presented in the afternoon. Owners willing to provide a horse for the contest (or perhaps four horses so a lesser-known breed could be included) should contact Debra J. Hagstrom at (217) 333-1785 or email hagstrom@uiuc.edu.

A $15 per person entry fee for the contest also will allow participants one-day access to Horse Fair’s Saturday offerings, including sessions with internationally known clinicians, seminars, all-breed expo and tradeshow. However, a separate ticket must be purchased for the evening’s entertainment show.

Trophies and ribbons will be given to individuals and teams in two age divisions – Juniors 8 to 13 and Seniors 14 to 18.

Entry deadline is February 1, 2013.

Click here for the 2013 All-Youth Horse Judging Trials Entry Form!