2020 ILHA CHAMPIONSHIP FREESTYLE Sponsored by ABI JOIN THE ILHA TODAY F o r t h e L o v e o f L i b e r t y ! Enter ILHA Exclusive Judges Competitions Seminars Member Newsletters Personable Interactive International Resources Liberty Community Photo Features MEMBERSHIP SALE BUY ONE MEMBERSHIP, GET ONE FREE NOW THROUGH 10/25 Visit www.libertyhorseassociation.com for more information. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! @InternationalLibertyHorseAssociation 2020 ILHA Championship Show Freestyle Judging Criteria Category Essence of Liberty 60 points Components Degree of difficulty (1-20 points) Technical difficulty of maneuver being asked or method (distance/subtlety/follow up cuing/physical assistance/etc.) of how it is asked. Guidelines 1 Poor – maneuvers asked of horse do not require high level of difficulty to complete and/or are asked in a very straightforward obvious manner with the trainer in very close proximity to the horse or the requires additional cueing or physical assistance of some kind to complete maneuver. 10 Average – horse completes some maneuvers that have a low level degree of difficulty and some that have a high level of degree of difficulty. Trainer cues horses some maneuvers in straightforward obvious ways that require some additional cueing or physical assistance and in other more subtle ways that require no additional cueing or physical assistance 20 Outstanding – all maneuvers completed are of a high level degree of difficulty and they are cue in the most subtle/high degree of difficulty ways by the trainer with no need for additional cueing or physical assistance. Connection (1-20 points) Observable connection between horse(s) and trainer. Guidelines 1 Poor – horse is often disconnected from trainer (runs off, does not complete tasks/attention focused elsewhere) 10 Average – horse is connected at times but disconnected at others 20 Outstanding – horse is closely, completely connected to trainer throughout the entire performance Communication (1-20 points) Clarity, fluidity, subtlety, ease of communication between horse(s) and trainer. Guidelines 1 Poor – horse does not respond to trainers communication (runs off, does not complete asked tasks or maneuvers) 10 Average – horse completes tasks or maneuvers 20 Exceptional – horse completes tasks and maneuvers based on subtle communication with a heightened degree of accuracy, and efficiency Category Artistic Impression 20 points Components Music/Costume/Theme/Props (1-10 points) Relationship between music, costume, theme, and/or props is cohesive and obvious. Note – props are not required but can include other people/horses/animals/etc. to increase performance value. Guidelines 1 Poor – Difficult to impossible to see the relationship between the music, costuming, theme, and/or props and/or music, costuming, theme and/or props are of very low quality. 5 Average – Music, costuming, theme, and/or props used are of average quality and loosely related. 10 Outstanding – Music , costuming, theme, and/or props used are outstanding quality and relationship between them is completely clear and cohesive Overall Entertainment Value (1-10 points) Guidelines 1 Poor – Performance has no entertainment value. 5 Average – Performance is of average entertainment value. 10 Outstanding – Performance is of outstanding entertainment value from start to finish. TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE 80 Additional Freestyle Rules 1. Act must be in allowed time (3-5). 2. No cones required. 3. Can start from any place in the arena or outside the arena. 4. For all virtual shows, whole act must be able to be shot in one take and without video edits. 5. No treats during performance. 6. No abusive or excessive force with any tools or equipment. TABLE OF CONTENTS MEET THE JUDGES Austin Anderson Jennifer Nicholson Dan Steers COMPETITORS NON-PRO PRO Avery Allumbaugh Ashley Boswell Melissa Barnett Amber Buresh Virginia Deden Ranelle Carter Kim Gullatt Caeli Cavanagh Lindsey Knipp Mirka Crew Emma Sanchez Lindsey Doese Candace Snow Nadia Heffner Caitie Holtzman Samantha Pearce YOUTH Christy Scotch Maddy Gatrel Patrick Sullivan Colton Jones Karla Switzer Reese Wolheter SENIOR Elizabeth Deden Samie Ledyard Robert Pearce AUSTIN MEET THE JUDGES ANDERSON "Always expand, watch, and learn. I learn new things from watching and meeting new horsemen and women." Austin Anderson started his career performing with his family as part of their show “The Texas White Horse Troupe.” Austin’s parents, Don and Jo-Ann Anderson, founded “The Texas White Horse Troupe” in 1963. They performed at many venues such as rodeos, Wild West shows, state fairs, expos, and circuses. Eventually, Austin went out on his own and continued to present quality acts at shows and events around the USA and Canada. His family sets the bar high, so he works hard to bring quality acts with integrity to all of his shows and presentations. In 2004, Austin created “The Texas Trick Riders” show aimed at providing state fairs with a fast paced equine action show featuring trick riders and roman riding with some western action sprinkled in. He and his team have performed at various events including but not limited to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, National Western- Denver, Equine Affair, World Horse Expo, and “Pawnee Bill Wild West Show”. During a break from trick riding competitions after 2007, Austin began teaching trick riding. He would later add liberty and trick training to his teaching and internship program. Some of his titles include: 2015 Men's Champion Trick Rider, 2011 Walnut Hill Driving Competitions Entertainment Selection, 2007 Extreme Cowboy Race Champion, 2007 Team Trick Riding Champions, 2007 Reserve men's Champion Trick Rider, and 2002 PRCA Dress Act of the year Finalist. Austin’s abilities as an all-around horseman soon led to work in TV and film not only as a stuntman but also providing cast and stunt horses. A member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1993, some of his credits include: Dakota’s Summer, Cowgirls ‘n Angels, Second Hand Lions, and Sleepy Hollow. JENNIFER MEET THE JUDGES NICHOLSON “You earn your reputation in the arena, but you earn your respect in the barn.” Jennifer Nicholson’s story begins in much the same way as every little girl who grew up with a passion for horses. Her love and desire to ride at the famed Riata Ranch was more than passion...it was an addiction. It was at Riata Ranch where she learned to ride and soon traded in her western saddle for a trick riding saddle. She and her teammates began a journey like no other as the first professional Riata Ranch Cowboy girls trick riding team. Along with the Riata team, Jennifer has traveled to 22 countries on five continents representing the Western American lifestyle as well as building respect for western riding sports. She has been a part of many events and shows for the NFL, NBA, and Professional Baseball. One of themost prestigious events occurred at Windsor Castle, England where the Riata team performed for Queen Elizabeth at her Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Nicholson currently serves as Executive Director for Riata Ranch and President of the Three Rivers Lions’ Club in California. She is also a member of the PRCA, Three Rivers Womens’ Club, and Visalia Downtown Rotary Club. Jennifer Nicholson is a well awarded horsewoman. As a Riata Ranch Cowboy girl, she has been a part of the teams nominated 5 times PRCA Dress Act of the Year. She recently received, on behalf of her husband Chad, a Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International. She was also awarded the Lions District Award for Increased Membership, Clyde Kennedy Medal, and Ronnie Richards Stock Horse Award. DAN MEET THE JUDGES STEERS "Preparation is key of course, but more than that it’s to make sure your horse is relaxed when preparing. Make sure that even on a bad day your performance is still going to be good." Dan Steers is an accomplished horseman, performer, clinician, and farrier stationed in New South Wales, Australia. At 15 years of age he began working for master farrier and horseman Pete Webber. It was here Dan developed both his horsemanship and farrier skills. At age 17 Dan began working for cutting trainer Corry Holden in Cobram, Victoria where he spent the following 6 months starting and training young horses – it was here that Dan was first recognized in the show ring – winning many senior & junior cutting events. In early 2002 Dan returned to WA and began working at Taunton Vale. Here he was involved in all aspects of breeding, training, showing and yearling preparation. In 2007 Dan won the ACA Western Australian Reserve Champion Open Campdraft rider after winning multiple campdrafts and Stock horse futurities. Dan’s love of horses and desire to diversify his skills led him to gain part time work with master farrier, Brent Tyler, shoeing horses. In 2008, Dan joined his good friend Dan James at El Caballo Spanish Horse centre where he continued refining his showmanship and training skills. The following year, he and Dan established their training business “Double Dan Horsemanship”. Dan Steers has a passion for breaking and training horses as well as performing to a wide audience. He aims to educate and enlighten people across Australia and overseas as to the ways of successful horsemanship. Dan holds multiple titles including but not limited to: 2016 Winner of the Rookie Challenge at the Coonamble Challenge NSW, 2014 Runner up competitor in The Road to the Horse World Colt starting competition Kentucky USA, and 2012 Winner of the 'Mane Event' Trainers Challenge in Chilliwack, British Columbia