[New post] 4-H’ers open three-day horse show at 2023 Logan County Fair
Jeff Rice posted: "Thirty contestants from eight 4-H clubs and an FFA chapter spent Sunday in the first day of the three-day Logan County Fair Horse Show. Sunday's Performance Horse Show opened with the showmanship competition. Showmanship is just what it sounds like – c" Sterling Journal-Advocate
Thirty contestants from eight 4-H clubs and an FFA chapter spent Sunday in the first day of the three-day Logan County Fair Horse Show.
Sunday's Performance Horse Show opened with the showmanship competition. Showmanship is just what it sounds like – contestants and their mounts are dressed and coiffed in Western high style to demonstrate that both horse and dismounted rider can show with poise and style; form is everything.
Aniston Marostica and Chicklet, Reserve Champion Mare. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Ailey Paxton and Mr. Fancy Print, Grand Champion Gelding. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Ailey Paxton and Missy the Gun girl, Reserve Champion Mare. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Brook Higgins and Fiona, Grand Champion Mare. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Levi Adels and Dolly, First Place, Junior Showmanship. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Ailey Paxton and Mr. Fancy Print, First Place Intermediate Showmanship. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Siena Donnelson and Topaz, First Place Senior Showmanship. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
By mid-morning, Siena Donaldson and Topaz claimed first place in senior showmanship, Ailey Paxton and Mr. Fancy Print winning intermediate class and Levi Adels and Dolly taking the top spot in junior showmanship.
Next came the halter classes. Halter show is very similar to showmanship in that horses are shown "in hand," meaning that they are led, not ridden. Unlike showmanship, however, this is all about the horse, and animals are judged on their conformation and suitability as breeding stock. Conformation simply means how closely the animal comes to the ideal for its breed.
Brooke Higgins and Fiona were Grand Champion winners in in the Halter Mares class with Ailey Paxton and Missy the Gun Girl taking Reserve Champion. Ailey Paxton with Mr. Fancy Print took Grand Champion honors in the Halter Gelding Class with Aniston Marostica and Chicklet claiming Reserve Champion.
The afternoon was spent with riders on their horses, first in the English and Western equitation classes. In equitation, riders and their mounts are judged at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions, and the competitors may be asked to ride without stirrups or perform assorted other tests or patterns. In English riding, the rider takes the reins in both hands and uses them to control the speed and direction of the horse through the mouth. In Western riding, on the other hand, the rider uses a single hand to hold the reins.
In the English Equitation classes, Siena Donnelson and Topaz took first place in seniors; Ailey Paxton and Mr. Fancy Print won the intermediate class and Gracie Abrahamson and Cody won the junior class.
Brooke Wagner won senior Western Equitation aboard Huck, Aniston Marostica took intermediate class with Chicklet and Adley Laralde won the junior class on Missy.
Next came Western Riding Classes. The main focus of western riding is flying lead changes. Instead of being a timed event, riders are judged on the responsiveness of their horse, their lead changes, the overall quality of their gaits, and a variety of other factors.
Brooke Wagner and Hook repeated for first place in Western Riding senior division, Aniston Marostica and Chicklet won the intermediate class and Gracie Abrahamson won the junior class with Cody.
In the reining competition riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. Fans of the television show "Yellowstone" have seen examples of this.
Dylan Wagner won the senior reining division aboard Sammy, Aniston Marostica and Chicklet took the intermediate division and Brooke Higgins and Fiona won the junior division.
The Trail test wrapped up the day Sunday. Trail is a competitive class at horse shows where horses and riders in western-style attire and horse tack navigate a series of obstacles. Contestants ride the course one at a time.
Shelby Rasmussen and Digger won the senior trail division, Aniston Marostica and chicklet won intermediate and Paisley Morgan won the junior trail with Tiempo Es Oro.
The horse show continues Monday with ranch riding competitions and wraps up Tuesday with a junior gymkhana.
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