10/16/2026
🐴❤️ ALL AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE CONGRESS RECAP! ❤️🐴
This year marked our second trip to the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, and what a journey it has been!
Our LaPorte County 4-H Horse Judging Team had the incredible opportunity to represent the Indiana Paint Horse Club on a national stage, and I couldn’t be prouder of these kids!
Unfortunately, our most senior team member was unable to attend, leaving us with a three-person team knowing that every single point would count. But these kids showed up, put their knowledge to work, and took on the challenge!
As their coach, I am incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and perseverance. ❤️
The past couple of months haven’t exactly been easy. Between volleyball games, sports practices, homework, and everything else that comes with being a busy student, finding time to practice hasn’t always been simple. Much of their studying and preparation had to be done independently and without the benefit of our usual practice schedule.
Yet they kept going!
These kids spent nine hours judging classes and presenting oral reasons, putting their knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills to the test against competitors from across the country.
And because apparently nine hours of horse judging wasn’t enough excitement for one trip, Mother Nature decided to send a HUGE storm our way as we left! By the time we walked from the Agriculture Pavilion to the main parking lot, we were absolutely SOAKED! 🌧️😂
That’s horse judging life for you! The memories, the experiences, the challenges, and even the unexpected storms are all part of the adventure.
🏆 CONGRESS TEAM RESULTS
▪️ Halter: 15th Place
▪️ Performance: 24th Place
▪️ Reasons: 18th Place
▪️ Overall Team: 20th Place
Individually, our team members finished in the middle of the pack across the divisions.
And you know what? I’m PROUD of that!
These kids are balancing school, sports, family commitments, and all the responsibilities of being teenagers while dedicating themselves to learning a challenging and demanding skill. They are competing against talented teams on a national stage, and they continue to show up, learn, grow, and push themselves to improve.
Horse judging is about so much more than placing a class of horses. It’s about developing critical-thinking skills, learning to make decisions under pressure, communicating confidently, accepting challenges, and understanding that success isn’t always measured by a ribbon or a trophy.
Sometimes, success is the work you put in when nobody is watching. Sometimes, it’s the courage to compete when the odds are stacked against you. And sometimes, it’s simply recognizing how far you’ve come and knowing you gave it your best.
To my team: I hope you know how proud I am of each of you. Thank you for your commitment, your effort, and your willingness to keep learning. Watching you grow as competitors and young adults is one of the most rewarding parts of being your coach. Never underestimate what you’re capable of accomplishing when you put your mind to something! ❤️
💕 AND NOW, TO THE PARENTS AND FAMILIES…
I cannot express enough how thankful I am for the support you give these kids and our program.
Behind every practice, competition, and trip is a family making sacrifices to help their child succeed. It’s the hours spent driving back and forth, the time taken off work, the miles traveled, the money invested, the encouragement after a tough day, and the willingness to rearrange family schedules to make these opportunities possible.
You are juggling work, school schedules, sports, family responsibilities, and countless other commitments, yet you continue to make room for this team and the opportunities horse judging provides.
I know it isn’t always easy, and I hope you know that your support does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Thank you for trusting me to coach your kids. Thank you for getting them to practices, encouraging them to study, supporting them through the challenges, and helping them experience opportunities they might never otherwise have had.
Thank you for traveling with us, taking time away from work, and investing not just in a horse judging program but in your children’s personal growth, education, confidence, and future.
A youth program is only as strong as the families standing behind it, and I am incredibly fortunate to have families who continue to show up for these kids. This program simply would not be possible without you!
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! ❤️
As we wrap up another competition season, I look forward to planning our team banquet, celebrating the year’s accomplishments, and giving everyone a much-deserved break for the remainder of the year.
With the Indiana State Competition moving to a different time of year, next season’s practice schedule may look a little different. We’ll figure that out when the time comes!
For now, I’m going to enjoy looking back on another year of learning, growing, traveling, competing, and making memories with an amazing group of young people and their families.
To my kids: Keep working hard. Keep learning. Keep believing in yourselves.
To our parents: Thank you for helping make the journey possible.
And to the Indiana Paint Horse Club, thank you for helping provide our team with this incredible opportunity to compete at Congress!
Here’s to another season in the books, another set of memories made, and another reminder of why investing in our youth is always worth it. 🐴❤️
Indiana Paint Horse Club
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