4-H honors county youth
Butler County 4-H horse club members earned 10 awards at the 47th annual State 4-H Horse Show held Oct. 27 through Oct. 29 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
More than 900 youth from 60 counties vied for awards in 49 performance and 79 production classes. Butler County had 12 4-H'ers entered in the competition. Events tested skills in showmanship, equitation, pleasure, jumping, driving and timed events.
In the performance division, Marie Noah of Butler captured second place in Saddle Seat Pleasure Ponies.
In the 4-H horse production division, members exhibit project animals that have been raised by the member. Amanda Dillaman of Slippery Rock captured first place in the Palomino Two Year Old Gelding class. Madalyn Boy of Boyers earned second place with her entry in Half Arabian Yearling/Two Year Old Fillies. Heather Corbett of Butler placed second in Stock Type Horse Yearling Fillies and Krissy Fowler of Chicora placed fourth with her Miniature Horse Yearling Colt.
Also competing at the show were Kelly Brown of Butler, Kyle Carson of Connoquenessing, Alyssa Karenbauer of Chicora, Aubrie Randolph of Portersville, Emily Sale of Saxonburg, Erin Turner of Renfrew, and Ginger Ullrich of Slippery Rock.
The 4-H Horse Program also recognized two Pennsylvania 4-H members for passing Level 3 of the Horsemanship Skills Program. Jason Zang of Evans City, one of the members recognized, was honored for his mastery of horsemanship and handling skills. The Horsemanship Skills Program is a progressive, educational program to develop safety, horsemanship and life skills of 4-H members. Youth are provided opportunities to learn skills and tested by trained examiners before advancing to the next level. There are four levels beginning with a novice or beginner level and progressing to an advanced level.
The purpose of the Pennsylvania 4-H horse program is to develop life skills in youth and knowledge of horse production, use, and management. The program promotes development of horsemanship skills, while encouraging responsibility, self-confidence, sportsmanship and responsible care of project animals.The state 4-H horse show culminates the year for approximately 6,500 Pennsylvania 4-H members enrolled in horse and pony clubs. To be eligible for this show 4-H'ers had to advance through qualifying competitions at county and district levels.For information about 4-H horse clubs in Butler County, contact County Extension Director Donna Zang at 724-789-7985. E-mail dsz1@psu.edu.This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview complex.
