Area youth compete at State 4-H Horse Show
More than 700 youth from more than 55 counties participated in 73 performance classes at the 58th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show held Oct. 27-29 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. There were more than 1600 entries shown by youth who qualified for the show.
Several youth received certificates and awards from their districts for passing Level 3 of the Horsemanship Skills Program. The 4-H members recognized for passing Level 3 include Emma Sharp, Northumberland County; Emma Holliday, Montgomery County, and Chloe Sullivan, Berks County.
Equine Educational Exhibits were on display throughout the show for youth to demonstrate acquired horsemanship knowledge. Exhibits were judged on equine related facts and educational content. The overall grand champion was the exhibit entitled “SkinDeep: A Look at Your Horse’s Skin” by Andrew Long, 4-H member of the Berks Saddle-ites 4-H Club. The winner was awarded a perpetual trophy donated by Hoy’s Trophies and Awards.
Berks 4-H Top 10
English Grooming & Showmanship, 12-14: 9th place - Jenna Tyson, Pottstown
Beginner Western Horsemanship: 6th place – Lilly Sutch, Gilbertsville
Pole Bending Ponies (14.2 hands and under), 14-18: 5th place – Lucas Moyer, Mertztown
Raised Box Keyhole Ponies (14.2 hands and under), 14-18: 9th place – Lucas Moyer, Mertztown
Hunt Seat Equitation On the Flat, 12-14: 3rd place – Jenna Tyson, Pottstown
Low Equitation Over Fences, 14-18: 7th place – Alexis Scheirer, Bechtelsville
Classic Hunter Under Saddle Horses, 14-18: 9th place – Alexis Scheirer, Bechtelsville
Hunter Hack Horses: 8th place – Alexis Scheirer, Bechtelsville
Miniature Horse Driving, 14-18: 4th place – Chloe Sullivan, Pottstown
Miniature Horse In-Hand Trail, 14-18: 9th place – Chloe Sullivan, Pottstown
Walk-Trot Equitation, Minimum Assistance: 7th place – Quinn Sullivan, Pottstown
Andrew Long, 4-H member of the Berks Saddle-ites 4-H Club was named the Halter Division Reserve Champion of the 19th Annual State 4-H Model Horse Show, held that weekend. A means for youth to learn and perfect the hobby of collecting and showing model horses, the model show is an opportunity for youth that may not be able to own and show live horses to participate in the show and learn more about the horse industry.
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 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 also included.
There are more than 4,500 4-H horse projects involving youth throughout Pennsylvania. Programs are designed to develop life skills in youth and knowledge of horse production, use and management.
For more information on 4-H horse programs, contact Penn State Cooperative Extension office at extension. psu.edu/counties or visit the Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program web site at extension. psu.edu/4-h/projects/horses.