Seventeen youth from the Fillmore County 4-H Horse Project headed to the Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show on the weekend of September 16-19, 2016 in high expectation. They competed in 15 events, bringing home 11 ribbons and two trophies. (Each youth competes in their own age group for each event.)
• Jackie Apenhorst-Horse Related, 1st place
• Kjersta Hinz-Western Showmanship, 3rd; Western Horsemanship, 9th; Western Pleasure, 6th
• Hannah Luck-Jumping Figure 8, 8th; Key Race, 8th; Poles, 7th
• Madilyn Smith-Western Pleasure, 4th
• Malia Tessum-Hunt Seat, 4th; Western Showmanship, 6th; Western Horsemanship, 1st; Western Pleasure, 5th
• Drill Team – Freestyle 6-12 riders, 5th
It is generally up at 5:30 a.m. for warm-up, clean-up, grooming and then competition. Most nights it is after 11 p.m. when the work and fun are completed. On Saturday afternoon, a pizza party and potluck takes place for the youth and their families. It is a challenging schedule to keep track of. Some of the competitors are involved in different events that overlap and have to ensure to work out the schedule to get to all events. We had two hippology teams and two judging teams this year, coached by Beth and Katie Yonts and Carrie Enright. This was the first year the drill team was able to compete at the State level. There were 16 teams in their event. So taking 5th place was quite an accomplishment. Maggie Haugstad was the Grand Entry participant for Fillmore County this year.
Through out the year, these youth are putting hours and hours of practice in at clinics, shows, home, with trainers and coaches and at county fair. Their families are also to be thanked for all their time spent getting the youth to and from all of the events and supporting them.
The Fillmore County 4-H Horse Project would like to thank everyone who supported us this past year. Buying candy bars, coming to Pizza Ranch for tip night, donating time and equipment at the Fillmore County Fair, and sponsoring events and trophies. Without the help from the community, we would not be able to do all we do for the youth in the horse project.
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