My name is Kourtney Judge, and I live in Lone Grove, Oklahoma, with my husband Joel and our son Weston. My life began in Oregon, and like so many other horse-crazy people, I found that the Oklahoma-Texas territories were more conducive to my lifestyle, and my husband seems to think so, too! Together we own and operate The Judge Source LLC, a full-scale consulting/marketing/sale management firm, focused primarily within the purebred cattle industry. Although our home base is in southern Oklahoma, you won’t be surprised to find either of us in another state at any given time, as we manage a wide array of clientele from the West Coast to the East Coast. As what some would consider a hobby, I compete nationally and locally in the National Reined Cow Horse Association and am also currently diving into the National Cutting Horse Association world. Most of my days are spent between running elements of our business, managing my horses, and homeschooling our son.

Over the years, I have enjoyed life as a small breeder, focusing on tremendous quality over quantity, from making the mating decisions to making sure my horses make their mark in their designated disciplines. Like so many of you affiliated with the Breeders Challenge organization, I would never have been able to find the success I have without the talented people I have surrounded myself with: stallion owners and stallion stations, breeding gurus, broodmare midwives, veterinarians, trainers, and fellow competitors. Each one has played roles of significance in my chosen lifestyle.

While I do not compete in, nor breed horses for, the Breeders Challenge specifically, so much of my village calls this organization home. Rick and Jade were key members in my small breeding operation, making sure my mares were in foal and delivered future champions into this world without incident. I cannot consider my success without acknowledging those who helped build me, and it is my wish for all competitors, breeders, and associates of the Breeders Challenge to take a moment and appreciate the village around you. I am more than honored to be a part of a committee doing big things for people seeking to be the best they can be and find the highest degree of success in their endeavors, whether in the arena or in the academic setting, and doing so in such a way that honors one of my favorite people and a person I found so much inspiration in, Rick Ford.

My name is Tani Boyd, and I live in Huntsville, Texas. I’m 60 years old, recently retired, and finally enjoying the chance to be a full-time mom and “Honey” to my grandchildren. I spent 25 years working as an education counselor in the Texas prison system, and before that, I was an elementary school teacher. Fun fact: my first career was actually as a hairdresser.

I grew up in the Texas Panhandle and graduated high school in a class of just 32 students. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Lubbock Christian University and went on to complete my master’s at Sul Ross University.

These days, life mostly revolves around my five children and six grandchildren, who keep me busy in the best possible way. While I haven’t personally been involved in the equine world, I’ve learned a lot through my daughter, who has been active in it most of her life. I also grew up around livestock, so I’ve always felt at home in that environment.

I enjoy serving others and sharing my love of God, which led me to my role as Hospitality Coordinator with Breeders Challenge. I’m looking forward to the year ahead and the people I’ll get to meet and serve.