New Mexico State University Rio Arriba County Cooperative Extension Service will host a beginner horse judging workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 15. This event will be held at the Rural Event Center, State Road 554 House No. 122-A, in Abiquiú, New Mexico.  

Tracy Drummond and Sid Gordon, NMSU Extension agriculture agents; Jason Turner, NMSU Extension horse specialist; and Don Martinez, NMSU Extension agriculture agent and Rio Arriba County Extension program director, will present at the workshop. All beginning 4-H members are welcome to attend.  

The workshop cost is $20 per participant, but chaperones are free. Register for the workshop at https://horseclinic.ezregister.com. The deadline to register is 8 p.m. March 31, and limited to the first 30 individuals. Participants are encouraged to bring a pencil, notebook and lunch. Participants also have the opportunity to purchase lunch at an on-site food truck. 

Presentations will be given to benefit young beginners in learning the ropes around horse judging, including halter and performance classes. Martinez said that local horse owners were happy to help by lending their horses for the workshop. Covering the basics, workshop sessions will focus on improving the participants’ skills.  

Martinez described the workshop as a way to help young beginners in becoming better equine judges.  

“This will help our youth be more competitive and assist them to communicate with ease about horse judging,” Martinez said. “Public speaking is important for all aspects of being a quality judge. Overall, it will be fun and educational.”