Lily Thomas excels in national horse judging championships

Although this year's U.S. Arabian & Half-Arabian National Championship Youth Judging Contest was held virtually, it was the same story for the Colorado Arabian Horse Club's Region VIII team. Led by fifth-year coaches Kendra McConnell and Rachel LeClere, the club has won 19 of the last 20 national championships and did so again this November.

In her first year competing at nationals, Niwot High School junior Lily Thomas earned the Reserve High Individual Overall. McConnell said that Thomas's work ethic was a large part of her success, along with bringing a sense of humor to the five-person team. .

"She (has) worked hard for years and years and really has tried to gain the help of some of our teammates as well (with) the older girls, and I think has really taken to heart what they've said (and) what we as coaches say," McConnell said. "(She is) very humble and really tried hard and I think just keeps improving."

All hailing from the front range, Madalyn Gabel, Jessica Jacobucci, Moriah McQueen and Ava Wright rounded out the squad. The group competed in halter, reasoning and performance competitions. Thomas said she was able to draw from her more experienced teammates' wisdom

"They (Gabel and Jacobucci) have been to nationals, like in-person nationals, quite a few times and they really helped me and Mariah (Gabel) learn about how nationals is different than just regular like county contests, and I think we had a really great dynamic," said Thomas, who is the daughter of Niwot High School physical education teacher and assistant football coach Scott Thomas.

"I think it's really the dedication of these kids and how much work they put in and the camaraderie they've had supporting each other and all the different life skills I think they're learning that's really what we try to focus on, it's not the winning part," McConnell said.

Public speaking, critical thinking and professionalism are just some of the valuable skills a horse judging participant will come away with according to McConnell. In addition to these intangibles, Thomas also received a $250 scholarship from the Arabian Horse Foundation.

"That was really amazing and we have great sponsors of the contest that sponsor the scholarships for us," Thomas said. "Now I just need to figure out where I want to go to college."

Thomas added that she looks forward to the spring season and getting to compete with her sisters Anna and Emma who are on the junior team. McConnell's bunch will have a quick turnaround for the spring season, beginning with an introductory meeting in January.