2024 Judges

Kari Beers

I grew up outside of Columbus, Ohio and looked forward to showing at the AAYHS every spring! As a youth I competed in OHJA shows, IEA, 4-H, and at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

I attended Miami University where I rode on the IHSA hunt seat team. I was invited to compete in several NCEA scrimmage competitions and was a member of Miami’s national team in 2006. I have spent the past 13 years judging 4-H, OHJA, IEA, and IHSA shows.

I am so excited to be invited back to judge the AAYHS Fence classes!

One of my most embarrassing horse show memories was falling off during a crossrail class my first year showing. My horse kept jumping and finished the course without me!

Clay Cavinder

Clay Cavinder lives in Starkville, MS. Previously, Dr. Cavinder was on faculty at Texas A&M but in 2015, Clay became the Extension Horse Specialist at Mississippi State University. There he has created programs centered around educating the public on management practices and training to improve horse related performance for showing and recreational use.

An approved judge for AQHA, APHA, and NSBA, Clay has had the pleasure of judging horse shows across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia.

With a life now focused on his Savior, Jesus Christ, the most important activities in Clay’s life include spending time with his wife Ginger, and their daughter Isabella. Outside of horses two passions of Clay’s are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and riding motorcycles.

My most humorous horse related experience was probably while showing a new 3-year old a friend of mine said as I was getting on, “don’t get bucked off!” That is something you should NEVER say! Needless to say, she bucked me off in the warm-up pen just before going in the arena. However, she wound up winning the Ranch Riding under all 4 judges and qualifying for the World Show in a single outing!

Sandy Curl

Thank you for the opportunity to act as your judge for the 55th All American Youth Show. I have been judging for over 45 years and hold cards with the AQHA, APHA, NSBA, APHC, PTHA, ABRA, POAC, AMHA, AMHR and WRHA.

In 2022 I was honored to judge the AQHA Level 1 Eastern Show. I have judged the Paint World, the Appaloosa World Show, the Pinto World Show, The NSBA Show Your Colors Show, the AMHA and AMHR World Shows, as well as the IBHA, ABRA and POA World Shows. I have also been privileged to judge the Paint European Championships, the Paint Australian Championships, the Australian Miniature Championships along with judging in England, Amsterdam, Canada, Belgium, and New Zealand.

I am currently a member of the APHA Judges Committee and am an APHA State Director for Florida. I grew up as an active member of the IRC 4-H Horsemasters Club, where after graduation, I became a co-leader with my mom for 40+ years. I still coach our clubs horse judging and hippology teams, where we have been state champions many times over the years. I am a huge supporter of youth and am excited to be a part of this great event.

Probably my funniest horse show experience was at our club's 1st Annual Valentine Show (we just had our 53rd) in showmanship. My horse wouldn't take a step (his favorite gait was standing still). No matter how fast my legs ran, he just stood still. The judge had to remove his hat and put it in front of his face so I couldn't see him laughing! Anytime I saw Dr. Sands he took great pleasure in reminding me of this over the next 40 years.

Linda Long

I have made my life training horses, giving lessons and coaching. I have a Riding Masters Degree from Meredith Manor School of Horsemanship.

I have been training horses and coaching for 50 years. I have trained, rode and coached many World, National and European Champions in open, non-pro and youth. I have Won over 50 World, National and European Championships.

I coached team Israel in 2002 at the AQHA Youth World Cup, 2016 coached Aphc Australian team, 2019 coached Aphc European team, 2020 coached AQHA YWC team Italian Virtual and we were Bronze, 2023 AQHA team Italia YWC in Bryan Texas and we were 4th out of 17 teams and 22 countries, winning the lip sync, winning both of the reining classes plus lots of top 5’s and top 10’s.

I have been judging for 24 years, I have judged Aphc World Show, Aphc Nationals and the European Championships.

I am looking forward to the future, AQHA, Apha, Aphc, Nrha, Nsba, VRH, ASHA.

Brandon Morin

Brandon Morin is an instructor in the University of Findlay Western Equestrian program and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Western Equestrian Studies and Equine Business Management as well as a Master of Arts degree in Education all earned at the University of Findlay.

Brandon has coached youth to top 10 and top 5 placings at the AQHYA World Show and the All American Quarter Horse Congress as well as produced youth top 10 AQHA year-end point earners in the ranch riding. As a competitor on the University of Findlay's Western IHSA team Brandon also earned two national titles in western horsemanship. Growing up in New Hampshire, Brandon also showed extensively as a youth exhibitor.

Brandon's focus has been in the ranch events as an exhibitor, coach, and judge. He actively shows at AQHA events and is the coach for the university's IHSA Ranch Team. He is very excited to join the AAYHS this year!

Brandon’s first time showing at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, he went off pattern by forgetting to walk…a little piece of advice, always know your pattern!

Kay Tracy

Kay’s horse career started several years ago in 4-H under the guidance of her Dad, Lee Tracy, a trainer, and longtime Judge. An OU graduate, Kay has judged 40+ years, now averaging 25 plus shows each year. She loves working with the youth. She has served on the State 4-H Judges Committee for Ohio, and she has had the privilege and honor to judge at the All American Youth Horse Show.

When the AAYHS began, she was able to show her little black mare, Dolly Bee, every year, until she aged out with the exception of one year. That one year, as a student at Ohio University, she chose to stay on campus and attend the Folk Festival, so her sister Kyle took Dolly Bee to the Youth Show. And yes, she had a good show! Kay always had a good time at the AAYHS, and will have to admit, she did have a good time at the Folk Festival. Now, she is so very PROUD to be able to say, the next Tracy generation is showing at the All American Youth Horse Show.

Kay is also an active member of the Tough Enough To Wear Pink Horse Show Committee in Ohio where 100% of the proceeds go to the OhioHealth Cancer Care through the OhioHealth Foundation in Columbus, Ohio, for Patient Assistance. In those 17 years, this show has donated a little over $830,000.00 dollars to Cancer Patient Assistance. The show this year will be held at the Champion Center in Springfield, Ohio, on September 26, 27, 28 & 29, 2024. We would love to have you come to the show and have a great time, while helping with THE CAUSE. Come and be a part of our working on the 2nd Half A Million Dollars in donations!!