This prestigious judging contest is held every year in conjunction with the famous U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show. The 2006 Contest will be in October in Louisville, Kentucky.

This contest is open to 4-H, FFA, AHA, and Collegiate Judging Teams. All contestants judge a rigorous schedule of four halter and six performance classes. In each class, four horses must be evaluated, compared, and placed objectively. These placings are then scored against an ideal placing determined by a panel of three carded judges.

Contestants must also give a well-articulated defense for their placement of two halter classes and two performance classes. To give these oral reasons, the young judges must learn to think, organize, and speak publicly. They are judged on organization, relevancy, accuracy, terminology and presentation.

The team and individual winners of this contest are those who have the highest combined scores for the class placings and oral reasons. Each year, winners will divide over $10,000 in generously donated scholarships, saddles, and gifts. Trophies and ribbons are also awarded.

Want to earn points and win prizes with your friends, or make new friends through showing and riding? The Regional Youth Team Tournament offers youth from each region the opportunity to form teams which work together to earn points. These points, earned from both recognized and nonrecognized shows and rides, lead to great year-end awards for the high scoring team in each region.