Training Challenge Judges

Jessica McClary – Basic Skill Judge

Jessica McClary has been involved with horses for over 30 years from riding, training, and showing to teaching lessons. Over the years, Jessica has worked or volunteered in a variety of equine settings including boarding/show facilities, horse rescues and therapeutic riding programs. Jessica received her PATH Intl Riding Instructor Certification in 2015 and maintains her certification through annual continuing education opportunities. She has also served as horse show judge to small, local shows as well as Special Olympics (Equestrian). Jessica has ridden in many different disciplines, but currently trains and shows in both traditional and Western Dressage. She lives on a small hobby farm with a menagerie of animals, her husband and young son- to whom she is passing down her love of all animals, especially horses.

Dawn Fraser – Freestyle Judge

Dawn is the owner of This One Ranch, LLC in Bastrop TX where she offers training, lessons and the occasional sale horse. They are building a new facility in Victoria TX, planned to open spring of 2025.
Getting an early start at Circle J Ranch in Ontario, Canada, Dawn has been riding horses for over 30 years. She has trained and competed in a variety of events, including western pleasure, reining, ranch riding and competitive trail. Over the past 10 years she’s focused on her horsemanship, learning from those still passing on the teachings of Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt.

Dawn has fostered and retrained numerous horses for Bluebonnet, and is the owner of This One Ranch where she offers foundational training and lessons. Her focus is on creating a solid relationship between horse and rider regardless of discipline, history or goal.

Paulina Liszka – Obstacle Course Judge

Paulina Liszka is a lifelong animal lover and started her riding career very young in the Hunter/Jumper world. While attending Colorado State University getting her Equine Science BS, she had the privilege to compete on the CSU Horse Show Team, train young colts, compete internationally, and started riding Eventing and Dressage. Paulina has spent the last 15 years working at various boarding barns in Texas, instructing riders and training horses and founded Scissortail Hill Equestrian in 2014. She has competed in the Bluebonnet Horse Training Challenge in the professional division three times and has 3 Bluebonnet rescue horses on her property, Ladyhawk and Sir Kabu who are used for lessons, and one of her clients adopted Maybelle.

Paulina’s facility offers boarding, training, lessons, camp, and competitions. They host multiple shows every year perfect for all kinds of riders to compete in a friendly and supporting environment. They also host fundraiser events for Austin area horse rescues, and educational/riding clinics.

scissortailhillequestrian.com | Austin, TX

https://www.facebook.com/ScissortailHillEquestrian

Jo Ann Garcia – Obstacle Course Judge

Jo Ann Garcia has been involved with horses for more than 50 years in both western and English disciplines. I have a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from Texas A&M University. My background includes showing, judging, breeding and training horses. She is currently retired from training for the public. Nowadays she likes to enjoy scenic trails, work cattle and attend a few select clinics with her horses. She is a great addition to our judging team.

Jennifer Skinner – Freestyle Judge

Jennifer Skinner of JRS Performance Horses and the home to the incredible AQHA stallion, Bully’s Legacy who partners with her to compete in rodeo barrel racing, dressage,jumping and three day eventing. Jennifer has been professionally training horses for 15 years.
Her passion has always been horsemanship and the performance horse of any level or discipline. She has spent her life learning how to better serve these amazing animals and help them find their
calling and enjoy reaching their potential while partnering with the people who love them.
At JRS Performance horses she utilized her background as an Equine Veterinary technician to pay close attention to the fine details of the horses needs. They offer rehab, colt starting, barrel horse training, and prospects for sale. They raise a select few performance prospects for
all different disciplines from cow horses, to english events to barrel racing horses. Jennifer also loves to give lessons to anyone with a passion to grow in their horsemanship journey from beginners to advanced. Jennifer is blessed to help and serve her equestrian community in multiple capacities.

Colleen Knox Crawforth – Freestyle Judge

Please Welcome Colleen Knox Crawforth as one of our Freestyle Judges this year!

Raised in a horse family, Colleen has been immersed in the horse world her entire life. After graduating with a Communications and Non Profit Business degree, she began her professional career in the equine industry and has continued to be a professional horse girl in some capacity ever since. With a lifetime of riding and showing and almost 20 years of experience training professionally, one of her favorite accomplishments is still her experience competing in the BEHS Training Challenge four times, winning the professional Division in both 2020 and 2021. Born in Indiana, Colleen spent almost a decade amongst the SE Texas horse community and is now based out of Kingfisher, OK.

Currently, Colleen owns and operates Haute Western ( hautewestern.etsy.com ) making unique and affordable tack and saddle accessories including Haute Rubber—the first multicolored and glitter dally wraps. She also owns Avant Grace Farms, a small scale breeding and training program focusing on quality ranch type show prospects. Her newest venture is currently in the works, and she is excited to be launching her business offering virtual Equine Relationship Coaching in the near future.