2023 Judges

Kari Beers

Kari grew up outside of Columbus and looked forward to showing at the AAYHS every spring! As a youth she competed in OHJA shows, IEA, 4-H, and the All American Quarter Horse Congress. She attended Miami University and was a member of the IHSA team and competed in several NCEA scrimmage competitions. She was also a member of Miami’s national team in 2006. She has spent the past 12 years judging in 4-H, OHJA, IEA and the occasional IHSA show. She loves watching young equestrians grow and develop and is so excited to be invited to judge at one of her favorite shows as a youth!

Lori Gordon

My name is Lori Gordon, I co-own and manage Post Quarter Horses, a full service training and marketing business since 1986. My students and I have placed Top 3 at the AQHA World Show and Top 5 at the Quarter Horse Congress. I hold two Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration and Communications. Some of the major shows I have judged are the AQHA Level 1 Championships, World Shows for APHA, NSBA, ApHC, PHBA, PtHA, ABRA, IBHA, POAC. I have also judged the IEA Finals, IHSA Semifinals, YEDA Nationals, AQHA Gulf Coast, Georgia On My Mind, Oregon Summer Circuit, Buckeye Classic, Corporate Challenge, Gold N Grand, Region 6 &9, Canadian National, Color Breed Congress, Tough Enough To Wear Pink and APHA, ApHC and POAC Congress. Internationally I have judged in Australia, Japan, Belgium, Denmark, Germany inclusive of Equita Lyon France and the Italian, Swedish, Dutch, French, and European Championships. I am an AQHA and APHA Professional Horsemen and served 5 years as an AQHA Steward. I have done clinics in the states and abroad and have been successfully training and judging for over 35 years. I am also a certified equine appraiser and real estate investor and currently own 5 properties.

John Kunkle

I live in Cross, SC where I am the owner of Kunkle Show Horses. I have been training horses for 25 years. We have trained and shown over 40 World and Reserve World Champions. I am an AQHA, APHA, NSBA, VRH and ABRA certified judge. I have been judging since 2015 and have been fortunate enough to judge some of the biggest shows in the country like the NSBA World, AQHA Novice Championships and APHA Eastern Championships. I am also past President of SCQHA, AQHA National Director and APHA Board Member.

Casey Orr

Dr. Casey Orr operates out of CJ’s Legacy Ranch in Bartonville, Texas. With a PhD in Animal Science from the University of Arkansas and a Master’s Degree from Texas Tech University, Casey specializes in coaching horses and riders in the all-around events. He holds judges cards with AQHA, NSBA, PtHA, PHBA and ABRA.

Nicolas Perrin

My name is Nicolas Perrin, but everybody calls me Nico. I am 45 years old and from Neuilly-le-Réal, France. I have been training horses full time since 1999 after leaving a full-time job studying to be a Spanish teacher. I worked four years in Italy as an assistant trainer with Linda Long (USA) , my adopted Mom. Then back home to France to buy property and built my own barn. I have also been an assistant trainer to Mark Shaffer in Texas. I was a European champion 17 times and reserve world champion ApHC in 2019. With the help from Linda Long, I became an ApHC judge in 2010, then did the work to get my judges’ cards with AQHA, APHA and NSBA European Judge. I am a Ring Steward for the ApHC Nationals, Youth World and World shows since 2015. I have also been Ring Steward for the APHA World Show in 2016 and 2017. I was honored to Judge at the 50th Anniversary All American Youth Horse Show in 2018 and really loved it. I am really happy to be here again. I love being a horse show judge and will do it as long as I can, everywhere in the world as I love traveling and seeing new places and meeting new people everywhere. Good luck to all Exhibitors and thanks for your trust.

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, averaging 30 plus shows each year. She loves working with the youth. Kay 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. In 2009, she judged at the Ohio State Fair and in 2010 judged at the Westerner Days Show in Alberta, Canada. In 2012 she judged at the North American International Livestock Exposition, and in 2014, 2017, and 2019 judged at the Great Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Kay is also an active member of the Tough Enough To Wear Pink Horse Show 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 16 years, this show has donated a little over $728,200.00 Dollars to Cancer Patient Assistance. The show this year will be held at the Champion Center, in Springfield, Ohio, on September 21, 22, 23, and 24, 2023. We would love to see you come to the show and have a great time, while helping with the CAUSE. Come and be a part of our working on our 2nd Half A Million Dollars in donations!