2026 Judges
Horse Judges
Cyndi Robbins holds judging cards with NRHA, AQHA, APHA, NSBA, NRCHA, PHBA, ApHC and ASHA. She is also a professional horseman and has been training horses for over 40 years. She has specialized in training all-around horses and reining horses of many breeds and currently trains young horses for ranch work and stock horse events. She really enjoys coaching youth and amateur for ranch reining, ranch riding, ranch trail and VRH cattle events. She is very passionate and positive about all of her judging assignments in the USA and abroad and is privileged and honored to judge many events throughout the year. She has judged The American Quarter Horse Congress, The American Paint Horse Association World Show, The Arabian Nationals, The German Paint Horse Championships, AQHA Championships Australia, Ireland and Germany. She also enjoys putting on Horsemanship Clinics here in the USA and abroad.
Lita Perrin, born in Illinois, began her equestrian journey in the fourth grade, riding Trakehners in dressage and jumping. As a youth, she competed in 4-H, open, and breed shows and later pursued professional trick riding, including Roman-style riding. Today, Lita runs a western, ranch, and English training facility near Rochester, Minnesota, where she works with riders of all levels.
A certified judge for 18 prestigious associations—including AQHA, APHA, ApHC, and NVRHA—Lita has judged some of the most renowned equestrian events worldwide. Her judging credits include the AQHA Select World (2017), PtHA World, ApHC Youth World, ApHCC Nationals, and the 2016 Australian National Championships. She also had the honor of judging at the NVRHA National Finals, as well as coaching the Israel AQHA Youth World Cup team in Australia in 2017.
Lita has conducted clinics for judges, exhibitors, and spectators across the globe, with experience in Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, and throughout the United States. She’s known for her engaging teaching style and passion for supporting youth and beginner riders.
Her unique adventures include riding on ocean beaches in Denmark, swimming with dolphins in Australia, and even tearing through a golf course at night on horseback. Outside of the equestrian world, Lita enjoys skiing, swimming, and spending time in warm places.
Lita’s expertise has been featured in several notable publications, including AQHA’s America’s Horse, Australian Hasten Magazine, Agri News, and various local newspapers. With a lifetime of achievements and a love for mentoring riders, Lita remains a dedicated and inspiring figure in the equestrian community.
Jan Larsen has been an All Around trainer for more than 45 years, showing primarily at breed shows. She holds judging credentials with AQHA, AQHA VRH, APHA, NSBA, PtHA, PHBA, ApHC, ABRA, WRHA, WSVRHA, ASHA. Jan has judged many prestigious shows on 4 continents including World Shows for APHA, PtHA, ApHC, WRHA, Australian National Championships and NSBA Celebration in Sweden. She has trained numerous World, Reserve World, Honor Roll and State Champion horses and coached riders in classes such as Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Western Riding, Working Hunters, Hunter Hack, Driving, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Equitation, Reining, Ranch Events and Halter. Having retired from full time training in 2015, Jan now concentrates on judging and teaching clinics. She lives in Kalispell, Montana.
Beef Judges
Born and raised in Mantachie, Mississippi, Anthony now resides in Middletown, Indiana where he claims Trennepohl Farms home. He serves as the herdsman of he Registered Simmental/ Sim-Angus operation and oversees the cow/calf + show cattle operation alongside his son Lane and his wife Ami.
Anothony has spent his lifetime invested in the cattle industry, working for Gamble Angus, Express Ranches and Gerdes Show Cattle throughout his career. In 2018, Anthony was recognized as the American Simmental Associations Herdsman of the Year and received the 2024 Simmental Sweepstakes Herdsman of the Year.
Anthony expresses great gratitude to have the opportunity to sort through your open show cattle throughout his time in North Dakota.
Sterling Kappes grew up on a seedstock Simmental operation in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where his family marketed bulls and bred heifers annually. He attended South Dakota State University, earning a degree in Animal Science, and was a member of the SDSU Livestock Judging Team. Sterling currently serves as an Account Manager for Hubbard Feeds in northeast South Dakota. He and his wife, Haley, along with their son, Samson, and daughter, Scottie, live on a farm near Clear Lake, South Dakota, where they raise seedstock Simmental cattle.
Swine Judges
Dax DeLozier is from Adair, Oklahoma where he grew up on his families commercial cow calf operation and showing pigs. This quickly sparked his love and interest in livestock judging where he judged all through high school. Upon graduation he attended Blinn College where he was on a very successful team and transferred to OSU where he was just recently a member of the team National Champion Team and 3rd High Individual. Upon graduating with a Bachelors in Animal Science he plans on pursuing a masters in Meat Science.
Chyann Emerson is from Tuttle, Oklahoma where she grew up showing pigs and judging livestock. She then attended Redlands Community College where she was a member of the Team of the Year and earned Academic All-American honors. Chyann will graduate from Oklahoma State University in December, with dual majors in agribusiness and communications, and was a member of the recent 2025 National Champion Livestock Judging team.
Matthew comes to us from Jeffersonville, Ohio where he and his family currently run Chaney Bro’s Showstock where they run over 100 ewes and perform 20 donor flushes each year. Matthew completed his education at Hutchinson Community College and South Dakota State where his team was 3rd overall at Louisville and he himself was named high individual in sheep and goats. Upon his bachelors degree, Matthew would have completed his masters in Lamb Meat Quality from North Dakota State University in 2023. Today, Matthew is currently working for Kalmbach Feeds as a Manager of Swine Grower and Finisher barns for the Hancock Pork division. Over the last several years Matthew has had the opportunity to judge in over 22 states and enjoys working with the best young people this industry continues to empower.
Sheep Judges
Bryce McKenzie is from Buffalo, WY, where he and his wife, operate BAM Sheep Co. Their small operation consists of club lamb sheep and a small flock of Columbias. Bryce grew up raising and showing Columbia and Hampshire sheep through 4-H, FFA, and the National Breed Shows. Following high school, he attended Northwest College in Powell, WY on a livestock judging scholarship. Bryce continued to the University of Wyoming (UW) where he earned a Bachelor’s of Agriculture Communication. During his time at UW, he was part of the Collegiate Wool Growers, and coached the Collegiate Wool Judging team under Dr. Whit Stewart. They were crowned the 2019 National Western Stock Show Champion Collegiate Wool Judging Team. Upon graduation, Bryce returned to Buffalo, WY and worked at Mountain Meadow Wool Mill, specializing in raw wool intake, custom processing, and the initial phases of the mill process. He now works as the 4-H/Youth Development Educator for the University of Wyoming Extension in Johnson County, and enjoys working with youth in the livestock sector across the region.
Lexi Hunt is originally from Buckeye, Arizona where she grew up heavily involved in the livestock industry. Lexi recently obtained a bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University where she also served as a member of the livestock judging team. During her time at Tech, she was named the High Individual Overall at the Cattlemen’s Congress, National Western, and San Antonio Stock Show.
Prior to that, Lexi attended South Plains College where she was also named the #1 Junior College All-American as well as the High Individual Overall at the North American. Lexi is looking forward to the opportunity to work with your young people and sort through their stock!
Matthew comes to us from Jeffersonville, Ohio where he and his family currently run Chaney Bro’s Showstock where they run over 100 ewes and perform 20 donor flushes each year. Matthew completed his education at Hutchinson Community College and South Dakota State where his team was 3rd overall at Louisville and he himself was named high individual in sheep and goats. Upon his bachelors degree, Matthew would have completed his masters in Lamb Meat Quality from North Dakota State University in 2023. Today, Matthew is currently working for Kalmbach Feeds as a Manager of Swine Grower and Finisher barns for the Hancock Pork division. Over the last several years Matthew has had the opportunity to judge in over 22 states and enjoys working with the best young people this industry continues to empower.
Boer Goat Judges
Trent Kempker is based out of Pomona, Kansas where he owns and operates Kempker Livestock with his wife Emma, and kids Grady and Bonham Kempker. Established in 2016, Kempker Livestock has been raising and placing show goats for the last ten years. Having both grown up in the stock show industry, they have a passion for livestock and helping the youth. Trent graduated from Tarleton State University with an Agribusiness degree, and then completed his Masters in Agriculture Resources Science. Trent spent most of his free time studying genetics, clipping and picturing for different firms and learning from some of the sharpest minds in the industry. Kempker Livestock has genetic lines of donors and bucks from diverse backgrounds to build upon. They strive to raise livestock with unique handling qualities that are stout featured, have an extreme look and build, while still being athletic. Kempker Livestock has been built on the strong morals of integrity, honesty, and hard work. Trent and Emma strive to give back to the stock show industry, they both stand on the fact that they would not be where they are today, without the help of others along the way.
Poultry Judges
Mark Jaeger is from Gaylord, MN. He has raised poultry since his 4-H days. An extension educator asked him to judge their poultry show 30+ years ago. He has raised African geese, Bourbon red turkeys, Buff ducks, and wyandottes . Currently he has standard Blue Andulasions. He thoroughly enjoys helping youth with their projects.
Rabbit Judges
Travis Finkle comes to us from Maryland. His interest in and love for rabbits and cavies began at a young age. He started showing in youth competition around the age of 11. This early enthusiasm developed into the beginning of his career in agricultural research, and he later earned a degree in Biotechnology from the University of Maryland.
After many years of breeding and exhibiting rabbits and cavies, Travis received his Rabbit and Cavy Judges License from the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 2003. Since becoming licensed, he has judged shows across the United States and in 17 countries abroad.
Travis firmly believes that “Education is the key to success,” and he takes great pride in teaching others and sharing his knowledge of cavies with the community. Travis currently serves as Chair of the ARBA Cavy Standards Committee.
Dairy Goat Judges
Daniel has been breeding Toggenburgs since 1956. Nubians & Alpines were added in the 60s. The Sunshine herd peaked at 280 milking does all purebred. The “retired” herd size is now 30 milkers.
Daniel has held an ADGA judging license since 1965. He has judged in almost all states and in Bermuda, Brazil, Canada & Mexico. He has judged several National Shows beginning in 1976. Daniel served as an ADGA director for 39 years & is now Director Emeritus.
Dairy Judges
Corey Jodrey from Winchester, Ohio. Born and Raised on Emerald Farms Ayrshires where we have raised numerous All American and Reserve All Americans throughout the years. Graduated from The Ohio State University, with a bachelor’s in animal science. As well as competed on the Dairy Judging team while there. I now work at Sullivan Show Supply as a sales representative, as well as still staying and working at the farm and taking care of the show heifers.
Nick Achen of Mondovi, Wisconsin, is deeply involved in the dairy industry as a breeder, cattle evaluator, and livestock manager. He has worked alongside many of the nation’s leading registered dairy breeders and has developed his own nationally recognized Milking Shorthorn program through Cherrywood Farm.
Nick has bred and owned multiple All-American nominated Milking Shorthorns, including the Reserve Junior Champion Heifer at the 2025 Winter National Milking Shorthorn Show. His passion for cattle evaluation led him to serve on the 2020 University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota and later completed a master’s degree in Career and Technical Education.
Nick serves as a calf manager, overseeing the daily care and development of approximately 1,250 replacement calves and young heifers. He is also responsible for managing the marketing and social media efforts for Cherrywood Milking Shorthorns, helping promote genetics and connect with breeders across North America.
Nick owns and manages a herd of 35 Milking Shorthorns and 11 Jerseys. Their breeding program focuses on strengthening proven cow families while incorporating elite genetics to build for future generations. Looking ahead, Nick plans to continue expanding the herd and establish a bi-annual selection sale dedicated to supporting both breeders and youth in the dairy industry.
Nick remains actively involved in breed leadership and youth development. He currently serves as Chair of the American Milking Shorthorn Society Genetics Committee and Co-Chair of the National Show & All-American Committee. Additional accomplishments include earning Premier Breeder and Exhibitor honors at the 2023 Iowa State Fair, being named a Top 3 Finalist in the 2023 Hunger Solutions Institute NourishTank Student Competition and receiving recognition for his service to Benton County 4-H as a dairy judging and dairy knowledge bowl coach.
