Riders aren't horsing around
Horse exhibitors from Butler County made a strong showing across the board at the 60th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show last month in Harrisburg, placing six contestants in the top 10 of their categories.
More than 700 youths from more than 55 counties participated in 74 performance classes at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center.
The State 4-H Horse Show is the final competition of the year for 4-H horse members enrolled in performance horse projects.
To be eligible for the show, members must advance through qualifying competitions at county and district levels.
Events included showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, pleasure, over fences, driving, western riding, reining, trail and timed events. A therapeutic riding division for riders with special needs was also included.
This year, Butler County had 10 members qualify for the State Show. They were Jennifer Cichra, Kylie Close, Jessica Cornell, Sadie Greyshock, Brandon Himes, Kendall Myers, Laine Palmer, Ashlynn Randolph, Alexis Riggs and Hayley Stein.
All 10 made the trip to Harrisburg to represent Butler County at the state level.
The following placed in the top 10 of their class:Alexis Riggs of Lutherlyn Equestrian 4-H Club, third in working hunter ponies;Ashlynn Randolph of Trail Riders 4-H Club, ninth in miniature horse driving;Brandon Himes of Lutherlyn Equestrian 4-H Club, fourth in novice reining;Jessica Cornell of West Sunbury Wranglers 4-H Club, sixth in beginner English equitation, and fourth in beginner English pleasure;Kendall Myers of West Sunbury Wranglers 4-H Club, third in equitation over fences and third in hunter under saddle horses;Sadie Greyshock of Green Meadows 4-H Club, seventh in raised box keyhole horses and seventh in cutback horses.
In addition, Jennifer Cichra of West Sunbury Wranglers 4-H Club was recognized for completing level 3 horsemanship skills, as well as 300 hoof hours with her horse.“This is the first year since I have been here that we've had that many go to the state show,” said Amy Metrick, who works in extension education and 4-H/youth development.Metrick said the riders first had to place at the local Butler County Roundup and then go on to the 4-H district competition in Meadville in September.“It was pretty good to send 20 to district, and then 10 to state is pretty outstanding as well,” said Metrick.But to be that polished it takes a lot of long hours.“Ribbons are earned by hard work and practice,” according to West Sunbury Wranglers leader Stacy Stewart.“When we go to a show, even my child (Ella Stewart) gets up, gets out of the trailer and her horse is fed, watered, hayed and her stall mucked out before her own breakfast,” said Stewart. “They learn to put their animals before themselves.”Sadie Greyshock, 15, said, “I probably practiced three times a week, but I also practiced all summer.”She and her 15-year-old quarter horse Mouse took home ribbons in two demanding events.In raised box keyhole, Greyshock galloped Mouse into a 12-foot box made up of poles, turned the animal around and rode back out without dislodging cones.
In the cutback, she had to work her horse through a series of poles in a set pattern.“It wasn't too hard. I've been riding since I was 4 years old,” she said about practicing for the events.Alexis Riggs placed third in working hunter ponies competition and said the contestants in her event are both judged, the horse and the rider.“It's actually an English competition with seven to nine jumps,” she said. “You are judged on how well your horse jumps and your position in riding them, how you direct your horse.”She noted that pony in this class refers to the height of the horse and not its age. A horse has be under 14.2 hands high to be considered a pony.A hand is equal to 4 inches and is used to measure a horse's height from the ground to the top of its shoulders, or withers.Alexis' interests seem to run to smaller horses because she also jumps her miniature horse, Peppermint Patty.A miniature horse is one that is 40 inches or less tall.“In miniature horse jumping, I'm running beside her basically as she jumps,” said Alexis.Alexis said she's developed a rapport with Peppermint Patty over five years of training.“I've had her about five years and we've been showing about five years,” she said.“I really like being around horses. They are good companions. They are all different. It is fun to get to know them,” Alexis said.“Peppermint Patty was fun to get to know. She's sassy and sweet.”
Another small horse fancier, Ashlynn Randolph of the Trail Riders 4-H Club took ninth in the state in the miniature driving category with her horse, Chance.Chance was put through his paces pulling a two-wheeled cart.“I've had him for four years. I practice with him every day,” said Ashlynn, 18, of Portersville.Chance stands 34 inches high and “he's like a human pretty much” in temperament, she said.“I've trained him myself. I worked on getting him to move and to move with the reins,” she said.“I have two other miniature horses. My mother's friend has minnies and she offered to let me show them,” she said.She said working with miniature horses was a way to stand out. Her siblings all had regular-sized horses.“I wanted my own thing,” said Ashlynn.Metrick said Butler County 4-H provides its members, ages 8 to 19, the opportunity to “learn by doing,” through a variety of hands-on projects.“Our county has over 30 different 4-H clubs with more than 330 members taking small and large animal projects, as well as sewing and baking, shooting sports and robotics, among others,” said Metrick.
