After a successful 2020 show season, Louisville youth Julius and Robert Culwell were recognized earlier this month at the Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA) Youth Annual Awards Banquet.
The banquet was held on July 8th at the PHBA Youth World Show in Springfield, Illinois. Despite a shortened show season last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the brothers were able to compete at multiple horse shows with their three horses leading to them being awarded a total of 21 Top Ten Awards in the youth division.
Younger brother Robert finished off his last year showing in the 13-year-old and under division winning 11 Top Ten Awards with his mare How D My Valentine.
He received Championships in Flag Races, Stake Races, Barrel Racing, and Pole Bending and won Reserve Championships in Ranch Rail Pleasure and Ranch Trail.
Other classes that he won Top Ten Awards included Showmanship, Ranch Riding, Trail, Ranch Conformation, and Performance Halter Mares. Robert finished the 2020 show season 5th overall in the nation in the 13-year-old and under division.
As for older brother Julius, he completed the show season with 10 Top Ten Awards in the 14–18-year-old division riding his two horses Hollywood NV ME and Famous N Fancy. He won Championships in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, and Stake Races and won additional Top Ten Awards in Ranch Trail, Ranch Riding, Flag Races, and Ranch Rail Pleasure. Julius was one of only four youth in the 14–18-year-old division that was able to place two horses in the top ten of a youth class placing 3rd and 6th in Flag Races, 1st and 3rd in Pole Bending, and 6th and 10th in Ranch Riding.
As for the 2021 show season, the brothers have been busy on the road showing in multiple states but are looking forward to competing locally later this fall. The brothers plan to head to the Lauderdale County Agri-Center in Meridian, Mississippi October 22nd through the 24th to compete in a three-day combined open, pinto, and palomino show sponsored by the Heart of Dixie Palomino Exhibitors (HOPE) Association. For individuals interested in learning more about the HOPE show this fall, they can refer to the HOPE Facebook page.
