On January 7, 2011 the Weld County Horse Judging Team represented Colorado at the Western National 4-H Roundup bringing home the National Title.

The team consisting of Megan Seltzer of Briggsdale, Colo., Kristen Schmidt of Greeley, Colo., Marissa Bartman of Windsor, Colo., Aubrey Lind of Eaton, Colo., coached by David Moore of Gill, Colo., capped an extraordinary season with an extraordinary win. The team won all four divisions – Halter, Performance, Reasons and Overall. In the reasons division the team took the top four placings which is nearly unheard of at a national competition. Individually Kristen Schmidt was the Reserve Champion and Aubrey Lind was the Grand Champion individual. Overall Grand Champion Aubrey Lind received a $500 scholarship from the American Quarter Horse association to use at the school of her choice. “The greatest compliment a youth horse judging coach can receive is to have the college coaches ask if it is alright to talk to your kids about attending their school.”

This is the fourth National Competition this team has competed at since winning the state contest last June. In August they competed in Oklahoma City at the American Quarter Horse Youth World judging contest taking forth place. October found the team in Columbus, Ohio, at the All American Quarter Horse Congress competing in Hippology where they finished in third place. This was followed closely by a second place finish in Hippology at the Eastern National 4-H Roundup in Lexington, Ky.

“This is a highly motivated and dedicated group of young ladies that are involved in everything. They maintain high grades, are officers in their FFA chapters, participate in school athletics, horse shows, multiple 4-H projects and some how find time for fundraising for their multiple trips. They are truly inspiring.”

The team is especially thankful to the local community businesses and private sponsors that made it possible for them to represent Colorado at these National and International events.