Road to the Horse owner and producer Tootie Bland has announced the elite panel of judges for the World Championship of Colt Starting competition which will be held March 13-16 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

“One of the hardest jobs at Road to the Horse is being a judge," said Bland. "Our event brings together the most elite horse trainers from around the world and this year we’re making it even more difficult for the judges with the first ever Road to the Horse Ram Wild Card competition.”

On March 13, last year’s wild card competitors will face off at 5:30 p.m. with their 6666’s Ranch colts chosen from the AQHA Remuda one year ago; this event is free and open to the public. Tickets will be required as the event continues on March 14, when the wild card champion will be crowned. That individual will automatically make their way into the Road to the Horse round pen to compete for the 2014 World Championship of Colt Starting title against Dan Steers of Australia, Antoine Cloux of Switzerland, and Jonathan Field of Canada.

The six official judges for the 2014 competition will be head judge Mike Kevil, Bryan Neubert, Cody Lambert, Joe Wolter, Jack Brainard, and Jon Ensign