ASHBA Junior Judging recap for June 2026
July 1, 2026: Lexington, KY – ASHBA Junior Judging had a stellar month of June with eight total Junior Judging events held across eight different states. The Junior Judging in a Box program allows youth leaders and show volunteers to request a box to run Junior Judging in their area. The expansion of this program in 2026 has already yielded a total of 22 Junior Judging in a Box events with more to come throughout the year.
The June lineup of events saw engagement from California, Illinois, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Indiana, and Missouri.
📍 Midwest Charity Horse Show - Illinois
📍 Charity Fair Horse Show - California
📍 Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show - North Carolina
📍 Oregon Morgan Classic Horse Show - Oregon
📍 Shenandoah Classic Horse Show - Virginia
📍 Indianapolis Charity Horse Show - Indiana
📍 Cleveland Tri-State Charity Horse Show - Tennessee
📍 Mid-America Charity Horse Show - Missouri
ASHBA Youth is excited to see the growth and engagement of Junior Judges across the country and the inclusion of shows who were able to host this year with the help from volunteers requesting boxes. Don't forget, all Junior Judging participants should make sure they're an active ASHBA youth member to be eligible for the year-end Junior Judging High Point Awards!
This month was also host to the Junior Judging and youth activities at the Midwest Charity Horse Show. Although this isn’t a “in a box” run program, ASHBA Youth with assistance from the Youth Council and the Youth Committee worked to make this event a fun and successful one!
Blowing Rock, Oregon Morgan Classic, Cleveland Tri-State Charity, and Indianapolis Charity were all new hosts this year thanks to Kaitlyn Robinson and Erica Rector who hosted at Blowing Rock from ASAC Youth, Richard and Shannon Hage who hosted at Oregon Morgan Classic, Mackenzie Reynolds and Aubrey Apanovitch from the Youth Council who hosted at Cleveland Tri-State, and Michael Lentz and Kaedence Gertiser from the Youth Council who hosted at the Indianapolis Charity. Courtney Morrill hosted for the second year in a row at the Mid-America Charity Horse Show. Aimee Harrell from ASAV Youth worked to bring Junior Judging back to the Shenandoah Classic Horse Show with great success and participation! Aimee also put together a Meet & Greet with Sallie Mason Wheeler and WGC HS Glamorous at Mercer Springs Farm.
Additional youth activities also included a breed table set up by Michael Lentz from the Youth Council at Indianapolis Charity to help educate youth on programs that ASHBA offers, plus a candy bar! Kaedence Gertiser organized the Junior Judging event at Indianapolis Charity which featured expert judge, Brooke Jacobs. Kaitlyn Robinson and Erica Rector from ASAC Youth hosted another wonderfully successful Junior Judging event, this time at the historic Blowing Rock Horse Show. The group had a great turnout and nice weather!
Mackenzie Reynolds and Aubrey Apanovitch had an excellent turnout at the Cleveland Tri-State Charity Horse Show with over 35 participants for their Dirty Soda Bar & Pizza Party that featured bracelet and keychain making, plus Junior Judging! What a fun event for all and ASHBA Youth is excited to see such great enthusiasm from our Youth Council and Youth Members.
Cindy Kelledy brought Junior Judging back to where the turf meets the surf in sunny Del Mar, California at the annual Charity Fair Horse Show. Shannon Hage hosted her second event this year at the Oregon Morgan Classic after their first event was such fun. ASHBA Youth loves seeing Junior Judging on the West Coast!
ASHBA Youth is excited for the upcoming July Junior Judging events! The Junior Judging Program is generously sponsored and supported by Sally Jackson. A huge thank you to the volunteers who help make these events a reality across the country each month! Learn more about the Junior Judging program here - https://www.saddlebred.com/youth/junior-judging
July Junior Judging Schedule:
