Join Sandy Jirkovsky and HorseIQ Live in Homedale, Idaho, March 23rd
Image by Ruehle Photographix, courtesy of the PHJ.
What happens when a youth who has shown APHA her whole life organizes her high school senior project? She benefits her local show community, of course!
Now APHA’s HorseIQ Live is coming to Homedale, Idaho, with none other than APHA Director of Judges & Professional Horsemen Sandy Jirkovsky to reveal what top judges are looking for, at a seminar from 10 AM to 4 PM. PRICE: $10 4H/FFA | $40 all others.
See the link to sign up for this rare opportunity, see why Sandy chose to travel to Idaho next weekend for this cause, and what inspired Abagale Hall to facilitate this event for her local horse community:
Abagale Hall’s senior photo with “Real Sensational Lady.” Photo by Art of Aperture.
Why did Abagale Hall’s senior project for high school involve this low-cost, educational opportunity?
“As someone who has shown Paint Horses since I was three and has shown at the bigger shows for about seven years now, I wanted to give my town and even state the chance to hear from someone like Sandy!” says Abagale. “The show industry in Idaho is smaller and unfortunately some can’t attend larger shows or travel to other seminars to further their knowledge. When coming up with what I wanted to do for a senior project, this was an obvious choice!”
What is a senior project, one might ask?
“In Idaho, a high school senior needs to do a senior project in order to graduate!” Abagale explains. “The project must teach you lessons of communication, responsibility, and can help or benefit the community! For this project it also requires 15 hours of time put into it! Any money profited needs to be donated so for my project the money I make back will be donated to a local 4-H or FFA horse judging team!”
Sandy Jirkovsky’s effectiveness teaching judges and exhibitors is legendary.
How did they manage to get a busy lady like the APHA Director of Judges to teach?
“My project mentor, Megan Dulin, is the one who helped me get in contact with Sandy! I told Megan what I had come up with for a project, the hardest part was finding someone and someone willing to give their time,” says Abagale. “Megan messaged Sandy and told her my situation and she was so great about sending her available dates and then picking one that fit with my schedule as well!”
What inspired Sandy Jirkovsky to travel to Idaho from Texas?
“Abagale has a passion, and I am always willing to help young horsemen that are wanting to make an impact on the horse show industry. With all the negativity in the world it is so refreshing to find a young girl who wants to make a difference!” says Sandy.
“It’s always so easy to put the blame on judges when you do not place well. This clinic will help the exhibitors understand scoring maneuvers and penalty application. It will also help them to know judges are their biggest cheerleaders. I applaud Abagale for her innovative thinking and support of the American Paint Horse Association.”
Click here to register – any questions can be texted to Abagale at the number on the flyer!
Horse Judging Seminar March 23, 2024 10-4pm (google.com)
Abagale’s APHA bio:
“I have been showing APHA horses since I was three!” says Abagale. “I am currently showing a horse my family bred and raised “Real Sensational Lady” aka ‘Sangria.’ This will also be my last year in the youth division! She and I have won two back-to-back Western National Championships in the western pleasure – that is her favorite event! My favorite class to show in has always been trail and I won my first ever APHA world title in Novice Youth 18 & Under trail with another horse ‘Hot N Sensational.’ This year I am currently not with a trainer and doing things on my own at my house with Sangria and my yearling youth futurity project, VIP Seating, aka ‘Mary Jane!’ I am so excited to see what this new show season will entail!”
