ArizonaRealCountry.com 31 April 2018 ArizonaRealCountry.com 31 April 2018 May 11th , 12th & 13th / Queen Creek Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre / 20464 E. Riggs Road 2018 Judges for the Arizona Horseman’s Challenge Announced The judges for the 2018 Horseman’s Challenge bring wisdom and experience. Clay Harper out of southern California, Tom Hagwood out of Wyoming, Larry Nelles of Cave Creek, and Greg Robinson from Texas will comprise the judging team for this very tough competition. Tom Hagwood is a four-time champion of the Fort Worth Mustang Makeovers in Texas. He and his wife, Arianne, run a small cow outfit in northwestern Wyoming. Tom has started several thousand head of colts and has successfully shown reiners and reined cow horses in the AQHA, NRCHA, and NRHA. Tom brings to the equestrian world a vast knowledge of all aspects of the western horse. “It takes a great horse to make a great trainer, and these ‘ol mustangs have been great to us.” Larry Nelles, originally out of Alberta, Canada, is currently training in Cave Creek in Arizona. His career in horses started at 11 years old on a ranch in Canada. Larry trains year round at his ranch in Cave Creek, offering clinics nationwide as well as in France and Austria. Horses he has trained have had success in many different disciplines, from 3-day eventing to cutting, mounted shooting, barrels, and cattle work. Larry teaches that horsemanship basics are the same no matter what discipline is used. “If I can show someone how to do something and they are successful, it makes me feel really good.” Greg Robinson will travel from Texas to judge this year. He has a strong background in the Buckaroo, Vaquero style of horsemanship. Greg has been training professionally for decades, reining to team roping and all aspects of ranch versatility. He has offered clinics all over the country and worked with many different breeds and disciplines. His theory in horsemanship is to keep things simple and stress-free to build confident, top of the line equine partners. Clay Harper, the founder of the American Horse Trainers Group, lives and trains horses at his ranch in southern California. He is a graduate of the John Lyons Certification Program. He specializes in fixing problem horses of all breeds and disciplines and has traveled extensively helping people to be better with their horses and their horses to be better with their people. The Arizona Horseman’s Challenge will use halter broke BLM Mustangs from the Florence Prison holding facility. They will be auctioned off Sunday following the Challenge finale. Photo by Tanner Photography Tom Hagwood is a 4 time champion of the Fort worth Mustang Makeover. He will be one of the judges for the Challenge of the Champions at the Arizona Horseman’s Challenge. He will also be doing a Ride with the Expert clinic. Photo by Tanner Photography The Arizona Horseman’s Challenge & Expo will offer more than 40 different clinics over the three days of this event.  Travis Lyons is the 2017 Champion of the Arizona Horseman’s Challenge. Photo by Tanner Photography