AQHA Judges Selected for the 2026 AQHA World Championship Show
The 2026 Markel AQHA World Championship Show and Adequan® Select World Championship Show will feature an accomplished lineup of industry judges.
With the 2026 Markel AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows approaching, AQHA is pleased to announce the approved judges who will evaluate the industry’s top American Quarter Horses and exhibitors October 29 through November 18 in Oklahoma City. The 2026 World Championship Shows will bring together the industry’s best horse-and-rider teams to compete for the sport’s most prestigious titles.
Approved Judges
- Jeff Allen of Shawnee, Oklahoma
- Jaime Beamer of Lipan, Texas
- C.R. Bradley of Collinsville, Texas
- John Boxell of Pawnee, Illinois
- Mike Carter of Goodlettsville, Tennessee
- Patti Carter of Yukon, Oklahoma
- David J. Connors of Ocala, Florida
- Mark Defreece of Whitesboro, Texas
- Woody Dykers of Alpharetta, Georgia
- Buddy Fisher of Abilene, Texas
- Jessica Gilliam of Greensburg, Indiana
- Dianne Grod of Ocala, Florida
- Derek Hanscome of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
- Sandy Jirkovsky of Whitesboro, Texas
- Jennifer Kunkle of Cross, South Carolina
- John Kunkle of Cross, South Carolina
- Gayle Lampinen of Chassell, Michigan
- Mitch Leonarski of Williamstown, New Jersey
- Chele McGauly of Elm Grove, Louisiana
- Allen Mitchels of Michigan City, Indiana
- Kim Myers of Felton, Pennsylvania
- Marilyn Peters of Edmond, Oklahoma
- Rhonda Replogle of Keystone Heights, Florida
- Jason Smith of Whitesboro, Texas
- Robin Swinderman Mitchell of Morriston, Florida
- John Tuckey of Eastanollee, Georgia
- Scott Weis of Millsap, Texas
- Carla Wennberg of Laurinburg, North Carolina
- Phillip Wilkinson of Alpharetta, Georgia
- Bronc Willoughby of Weatherford, Texas
- Brad Wilson of Adair, Oklahoma
- Daren Wright of Chillicothe, Ohio
- Shane Young of Yadkinville, North Carolina
For more information about the 2026 Markel AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows, including schedules, qualifying information and event updates, visit aqha.com/showing.
AQHA Press release: https://www.aqha.com/-/aqha-judges-selected-for-the-2026-aqha-world-championship-show
