Kansas State University Horse Judging Team

09/01/2025

Last but certainly not least, JR team member: Amelia Uthlaut 💜💜

Hi! I am Amelia Uthlaut from Hermann, Missouri. I’m currently a sophomore at K-State and am majoring in Animal Science, Pre-Vet. After undergrad I hope to attend a veterinary school and pursue a career with livestock and equine.

This summer I kept myself busy by working at a small animal veterinarian clinic, along with working on my families commercial cattle and sheep operation, showing sheep, and rodeoing!

My family has always been involved with equine. We enjoy working cattle horseback, showing, rodeoing, and training colts. I had the opportunity to judge horses in high school and am excited to continue that journey into college!

08/29/2025

Next up for the JR team:: Kayla Bigham

I'm Kayla Bigham, from Blue Rapids, KS. I am majoring in Animal Science Industry and Management with an Equine Certificate; I'm also a student at Colby Community College where I am studying for a vet nursing degree.

My future plans include finishing my degree and working as a tech at an equine hospital.
I grew up on a horse farm where I raised my current show horse. Throughout the summer I have been competing in show circuits. This is my 15th year competing and I am hoping to show for many years to come. I’m excited for the judging season!

08/06/2025

Time to introduce some new faces and our junior team!

Haley Mannell 💜

I am from Topeka, KS, and I am currently majoring in Animal Sciences and Industry on the Pre-Vet track with an Equine Science Certificate. After undergrad, I plan on attending veterinary school and would like to specialize in equine medicine.

I come from a hunter/equitation and dressage background, and continue to be involved with horses today, showing both with my home barns and on the KSU IHSA team.

Welcome to the team Haley!

08/02/2025

💜 Assistant Coach Kristen Kahler 💜

Kristen is from Bonner Springs, KS, where she grew up showing quarter horses in the all-around classes. Kristen had an extremely successful collegiate judging career in 2022 and graduated with her Animal Science degree shortly after. She is now working on her Masters in Animal Science with a focus in small ruminants, with plans to pursue a PhD to stay in academia. This summer Kristen has been helping team members, writing her manuscript and prepping for her next research trials!

Kristen also plans to continue breeding and showing her AQHA weanling in the near future!

07/28/2025

Peyton Sherron is next on the list! 💜

Hello! I am Peyton Sherron from Spring Hill, KS! I am entering my junior year at K-State where I major in Agricultural Education with an Animal Science minor and an Equine Science certificate.

In addition to judging, I am a member of the Agricultural Education club, Sigma Alpha sorority, and serve as a Teach Ag Students of Kansas Representative and College of Agriculture Ambassador. I have had a passion for horses for as long as I can remember and have been blessed to own and show horses through 4-H and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association.

This summer I am back home training my AQHA filly that I received from through the 2023 AQHYA Young Horse Development program. Additionally, I am working for the Spring Hill Recreation Commission where I run day activities for youth in the community and supervise t-ball and coach pitch! After graduation I plan to become a high school ag teacher and continue raising and showing horses while coaching young equestrians.

07/21/2025

Next up:: Wyatt Dooley 😎

Hello! My name is Wyatt Dooley, and I’m originally from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. I grew up primarily showing hogs and cattle, with some horse showing as well - experiences that still have continued to shape my academic and career goals.

I’m currently pursuing a degree in Animal Science with a minor in Agricultural Sales. On campus, I serve as President of Block and Bridle, organizing events and promoting engagement, and I’m also an ASI Mentor, helping connect prospective students with K-State and its values.

This summer, I’ve been working on the Swine Survivability Grant with the K-State Swine Team, assisting with graduate research projects in swine nutrition. I’ve also conducted lab work evaluating piglet diets and their effects on stomach acidity and performance.

Being part of the horse judging team has strengthened my communication and critical thinking skills, while connecting me with others passionate about livestock and equine industries. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a career in the swine industry - particularly in nutrition or feed sales - while staying active in the livestock and horse communities that have shaped me.

07/15/2025

As we get closer to the fall judging season, we are going to be introducing our outstanding team members! First up: Callie Riewald

Hi! My name is Callie Riewald and I am originally from Colorado Springs, CO! I am going into my senior year, and I am currently studying animal science with an equine certificate. Outside of the horse judging team, I am a member of Pre-vet society and ASI mentors. I caught the horse bug at a young age and grew up riding quarter horses and volunteering at a local stable. Last summer I had the opportunity to work as a wrangler at a dude ranch in Estes Park, CO where I helped care for 100+ horses and lead trail rides through the rocky mountains.

This summer I have had the privilege of working at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala, FL. This internship has allowed me to learn from outstanding veterinarians and gain countless hands-on skills in equine veterinary medicine ranging from surgery to sports med. When I finish my undergrad studies, I hope to attend vet school and pursue a career in equine veterinary medicine with an emphasis on internal medicine.

While I did not grow up in the show world, I have absolutely loved being a part of the horse judging team. This team has brought me some of my best friends, has taught me amazing analytical skills, and has furthered my passion for the equine industry!

05/04/2025

It was a fantastic morning managing and officiating the 2025 Kansas FFA Association’s State Horse Evaluation contest.

We couldn’t have done this contest without the help of the Kansas Quarter Horse Association, the Kansas Amateur Quarter Horse Association, and the Kansas Quarter Horse Youth Assoc. Thank you to the KQHA, KQHYA, and KAQHA members who volunteered to ride, provided horses, and willingly jumped in to help whenever it was needed!

We invite any youth interested in additional judging opportunities to reach out to Kansas Quarter Horse Youth Assoc. advisor Bobbie Hinds at [email protected] for more information.

Additionally, JudgingPro.com was at the contest and the contest videos will be available soon!

05/02/2025

Another great event for youth!

Show off your horse knowledge at the 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐈𝐐 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 featuring 𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮, 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨-𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 and 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜... no horse required! Scholarships will be awarded to the 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 in the Youth 14–18 division as well as prizes for first through tenth in each division.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: June 22, 2025, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX in conjunction with with the APHA World Championship Show

𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
Youth 14-18
Youth 8-13 (hippology and skills sections only)

𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: June 1 – Late entries will be accepted with a $5 late fee per contestant. Entries close June 20

🔗 https://bit.ly/4jtSBW5

04/11/2025

Congratulations to our teams who competed yesterday at the NHJTCA’s Spring Sweepstakes Contest in Amarillo, TX. Thank you to West Texas A&M University for hosting this event!

TEAM RESULTS🏆
😎2nd High Team Overall😎
Halter - 5th
Performance - 2nd
Reasons- 2nd

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Halter-
10th- Wyatt Dooley

Performance-
9th- Callie Riewald
4th- Wyatt Dooley

Reasons-
12th- Peyton Sherron
9th- Wyatt Dooley
6th- Callie Riewald

Overall Individual
14th- Peyton Sherron
9th- Callie Riewald
5th- Wyatt Dooley

LIMITED RESULTS

Halter
9th- McKenna Murray
6th- Kayla Bigham
1st- Amelia Uthlaut

Performance
9th- Kayla Bigham
8th- Amelia Uthlaut

Reasons
10th- Haley Mannell
8th- McKenna Murray
4th- Amelia Uthlaut

Overall
10th- McKenna Murray
7th- Kayla Bigham
6th- Amelia Uthlaut

GO CATS! 💜

04/10/2025

Good luck to our teams competing in Amarillo, TX today at the 2025 Spring Contest!

Go cats! 💜

04/08/2025

We’ve had a busy spring! Early morning practices, officiating contests, and LOTS of quality time together. Thank you to all of our alumni and friends that have made the time to help listen to reasons and set up practices for us.

Now we’re headed to Amarillo, TX for the 2025 Spring Contest. The senior and junior will be competing, and we can’t wait to see what they learn and accomplish.

Saturday, April 12th, is the judging alumni banquet and we hope to see some of you there! Go Cats! 💜