The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
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he'd be better. There was a lot of time we didn't think he was going to pull through, let alone be able to compete," Cody remarked. After a long stay under veterinary care and further care with the Hilzendegers, The Judge made a full recovery. Due to the intensity of his illness and concerns for his well-being and longevity, the Hilzendegers chose to focus on heading with the stallion. Coincidentally, while Hilary had been competing at barrel futurities, Cody had roped the sled and seen a lot of promise in the roping pen on The Judge. Cody's hunch was spot on and the stallion began to win on the heading side. In 2021, he competed in the heading and breakaway at the Royal Crown in Wyoming. Although he'd only roped a small number of breakaway calves, Cody felt it was a testament to his trainability and athletic ability. "He could just do anything." In 2022, Cody showed him at the Royal Crown in Arizona, winning the limited open heading derby. Ultimately, the Barbee family decided to sell the stallion. Johnson felt if they put him in a sale, they could get better exposure. The sale held in conjunction with the Barrel Futurities of America in November is the pinnacle of barrel horse sales and Johnson felt that would be an ideal fit. Johnson quipped, "We had the experience of a lifetime. He sells and we find out within an hour it was this incredible roper!" Industry titan, Solo Select Horses will be managing the breeding of The Judge while Lovell maintains his competition schedule for 2024. His foals are eligible for Pink Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Riata Buckle, Young Guns, and the Royal Crown. Lovell and co-owners Clint Summers and Grižn SVE Judgment Day at the 2021 ARHFA Cowtown Classic Photo Courtesy of the Barbee Family Marshall will breed personal mares to the stallion for 2025 foals and they accepted public mares on an application basis. Breeding applications closed April 15, but there is a wait list. His 2024 stud fee was $3500, with only five breedings o«ered to the public. According to Solo Select, Lovell will compete at select events in 2024 and Summers will hit the rodeo trail with the stallion in 2025. Summers, a switch-ender, has qualified for the NFR previously on the heeling side. He felt that the experience and seasoning The Judge would gain in a season with Lovell was invaluable. From barrel horse to rope horse, some things are simply meant to be. The Judge has had an incredible team behind him from the beginning, from a breeder and trainers who believed he was special, to competitors who have given him the chance to shine on the largest stages in the roping world. We look forward to seeing what this incredible stallion accomplishes in 2024. Hilary & The Judge Photo Credit: Al Braunworth Photography