Recently, VQHA was approached by youth member Ainsley Davis about the possibility of
having a team represent them at the AQHYA World Horse Judging Contest. Ainsley had
become friends with three other girls who share an obsession with horses and judging,
sparking an instant bond. They set their sights on expanding their judging résumés by
wanting to enter the AQHYA World Show Judging Contest. They also recognize the
importance of being lifelong learners as horse owners and becoming involved in
professional horse organizations, like VQHA, to stay abreast of the horse industry, the show
rules, veterinary medicine, and stable management practices. Most importantly, they hope
to make additional connections and friends through their membership. So, just who are
the members of the VQHYA judging team?
Ainsely Davis is from Ashland and is a junior attending Hanover High School, Patrick Henry
High School, and J. Sgt. Reynolds Community College. Her love of all things equine comes
from her grandmother and late father. She currently owns two Quarter Horses that are kept
on the family’s Hanover Farm, Mudrun Farm. She shows in predominantly Ranch and
Hunter All-Around classes. Ainsley has shown at the Virginia Stock Horse Show, Jack
O’Lantern Classic, as well as the open show circuit. Ainsley has a strong love of the Ag
Industry and has close ties to her mother’s Shanandoah Valley roots. Check out her weekly
postings on Instagram, Ainsleys_Ag_Adventures.
Reagan Loker attends Clarke County High, where she is a sophomore. Reagan owns one
Quarter Horse named Snappy Bullet, barn named LeRoy, whom she rides in eventing
competitions. Reagan’s parents own a horse farm in Berryville, where she has an on-site
riding instructor and trainer to give her regular lessons. While she likes the challenge of
perfecting her dressage skills, she also likes the adrenaline rush cross-country jumping
provides.
Marybeth Martin is a junior in a homeschool program. She easily inherited her love for
horses from her mother, who has ridden and shown Quarter Horses over the years.
Marybeth competes with her horse on the open circuit and also rides her sister’s Quarter
Horse, Lil’ Jon. Her favorite pastime is trail riding on her family’s farm in the mountains of
Floyd County.
Emma Ranson is from Buckingham County and attends Liberty Christian Academy in
Lynchburg where she is a junior. Emma is a hunt seat rider who takes regular riding lessons
and competes on the local open hunter circuit. She learned the fundamentals of hunt seat
riding on a seasoned Quarter Horse mare that she leased for several years. Participating in
horse judging has taught Emma to appreciate a good horse of any breed. The versatility of
the Quarter Horse has made quite an impression on Emma.
It is evident that these four youth genuinely eat, sleep, and breathe horses, whether to
further their abilities in the saddle with their mounts or horse judging. They have already
committed to weekly virtual practice sessions and homework assignments, advancing their
oral reasons presentations in preparation for the AQHYA World Horse Judging Contest.
They have organized their own fundraising eƯorts to support their trip to the World Show. It
is obvious that these girls have a busy summer ahead as they prepare for the AQHYA World
Show Judging Contest. Go Virginia!
