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Riders compete in state 4-H horse show

HARRISBURG — The 58th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show was held Oct. 27-29 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. More than 700 youth from over 55 counties participated in 73 performance classes throughout the weekend. More than 1,600 entries were shown by youth.

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, members must advance through qualifying competitions at county and district levels.

Events include showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, pleasure, over fences, driving, western riding, reining, trail and timed events. A therapeutic riding division for riders with special needs is included.

All class champions in the show were awarded champion ribbons and pewter plates, as well as embroidered champion jackets. Reserve champions in each class received a ribbon and leather bracelet or leather key chain donated by Perri’s Leather of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.

All exhibitors in the therapeutic riding division received personalized horse shoes made by Randy Rider Jr. and sponsored by Randy and his wife Amanda Rider.

Amberley Spicher, of Punxsutawney, was named the 2017 4-H Horse Program Outstanding Member.

Outstanding member award finalists were received halters and leads from Tory Leather Co., of Williamsport, and grooming trays from C&M Pine Products.

Finalists also included Krysten Kowalczyk, of Clearfield County; Madison Heilveil, of Bucks County; Brittany Szczepanik, of Cambria County; and Tucker Williams, of Cumberland County.

Several youth received certificates and awards from their districts for passing Level 3 of the Horsemanship Skills Program. They include Emma Sharp, of Northumberland County; Emma Holliday, of Montgomery County; and Chloe Sullivan, of Berks County.

Members of the 4-H Horse Program Development Committee provided custom belt buckles to the following 4-H members mastering Level 4 of the Horsemanship Skills Program: Sharp, Holliday and Kennedy Fagan, of Columbia County.

The Pennsylvania 4-H Horsemanship Skills Program is a progressive educational opportunity that focuses on learning at the appropriate pace for each horse and youth team. Developing knowledge and promoting safety of youth is the goal at every level of the program.

Level 1 emphasizes basic, correct and safe principles of handling and riding at the walk and trot; Level 2 builds a solid foundation of horsemanship skills and introduces the lope or canter and correct aids; and Levels 3 and 4 challenge riders to continue to develop their skills and are the most advanced levels.

Pennsylvania 4-H Recreational and Alternative Equine Activities programs include the Hoof Hour Awards recognition. Recognition includes awards at the 50- and 100-hour level locally and the 200-hour level from the district. Riders reaching 300 hours of time on a single animal are recognized with a jacket supplied by their district. Hunter Reed, of Mifflin County, was recognized as the first member to achieve the 300-hour level.

Equine Extension Associates Bethany Bickel and Lew Trumble worked with Team Horse Power members to provide hands-on clinics for youth and adults. Team Horse Power is a leadership program that trains and empowers teens and young adults to develop their individual skills and teach horsemanship skills and mentor youth. Team members work at county, regional and state activities to help youth improve their horsemanship abilities, promote safety and provide information about 4-H programs.

Activities at the State 4-H Horse Show included the Ground Roping Contest, where contestants were judged on specific criteria, such as swing and delivery, and the Mop Pony Classic, where contestants compete with their most well-trained mop ponies.

Team Horse Power members were presented medallions in recognition of their achievements and service to the 4-H Horse Program. Team members include: Jesse Dillaman and Grace Joyce, of Butler County; Alison Benna, Olivia Benna, Addison Bloom, Hunter Bloom and Kayla Kimble, of Clinton County; Fagan; Kayley McIntyre, of Lancaster County; Laura Keller, of Mifflin County; and Leah Androstic, of Westmoreland County.

Started in 2015, the 4-H Horse Program Development Committee began awarding scholarships for the outstanding Team Horse Power members. Participation and evaluations throughout the year were taken into account, when applications were reviewed, along with a phone interview and a horsemanship knowledge evaluation. The 2017 scholarship winner was Kayla Kimble.

Equine educational exhibits were on display for youth to demonstrate acquired horsemanship knowledge. Exhibits were judged on equine related facts and educational content. The overall grand champion was the exhibit titled “Skin-Deep: A Look at Your Horse’s Skin” by Saddle-ites 4-H Club, of Berks County.

A perpetual trophy was awarded to the overall grand champion in the category of Good Housekeeping. This year’s recipient was Lehigh County.

The 19th annual State 4-H Model Horse Show also was held. It provides a means for youth to learn and perfect the hobby of collecting and showing model horses, while also learning about horse breeds, history, tack, equipment and related information. The model show is an opportunity for youth who may not be able to own and show live horses to participate in the show and learn more about the horse industry.

In its second year the State 4-H Horse Show Photography Contest provides youth the opportunity to exhibit their photography and encourages all members to participate in the State Horse Show through a variety of activities. This year, 100 participants from 31 counties submitted photos in three categories: Animal, Landscape and Other at either the junior or senior level, based on 4-H age.

The winners for the contest are:

• Junior Landscape, Susan Cilokosz, Centre County, “Winter Morning”;

• Senior Landscape, Hunter Reed, Mifflin County, “Sunset Rider”;

• Junior Other, Grace Hannah, Jefferson County, “Charlotte’s Web”;

• Senior Other, Katie Bowser, Lawrence County, “Beauty and the Steel”;

• Junior Animal, Grace Brininger, Snyder County, “Dakota’s Snow Day”; and

• Senior Animal, Brenna Tento, Montgomery County, “Scatter Creek.”

Results and photos from the show are available on the Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program website.

Lycoming County State 4-H Horse Show winners

The following riders from Lycoming County placed in their respective classes during the Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show:

• Ava Barto, Reserve Champion in Beginner English Pleasure, riding Sky’s the Limit;

• Clarence Cupp, fourth place in Walk Trot, minimum assistance, and fifth place in Obstacle Trail, minimum assistance, riding Hot Pleasures;

• Mackenzie Weaver, sixth place in Low Equitation Over Fences, 14-18, riding Sky’s the Limit;

• Taylor Fry, seventh place in Beginner English Pleasure and eighth place in Beginner English Equitation, riding PSU A Flashy Zip;

• Samantha Harvey, 10th place in Breed Type Hunter Under Saddle Horses, 8-13, riding Triples Artbreaker.

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