Over 40 advance to state following District 10 4-H Horse Show

By CAROLYN ROST | South Central Texas Edition

Sarah Claughton, aboard "Kickapoo Cait," keeps a steady pace while enduring the course of the Western Riding competition at the Guadalupe County Fair Grounds arena. Sarah is a member of Comal County 4-H. -Staff photo by Rost

July 7, 2005 - With 409 entries and 17 classes, the District 10 4-H Horse Show offered a full day of competitions. Among those entered in the June 23 contest at the Guadalupe County Fair Grounds in Seguin, 42 qualified to compete at the state horse show slated for July 23-30 in Abilene.

Any 4-H'er earning 1 or more points in the District Show qualifying classes are eligible to advance to the State 4-H Horse Qualifying Show.

Members of 4-H representing 17 of the 21 counties in District 10 competed in the show. Participating counties included Bandera, Bastrop, Bexar, Blanco, Comal, Gillespie, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Medina, Travis, Uvalde and Wilson.

Alissa Spitler with the Western Wranglers Club and Bexar County 4-H gives her horse, "Ima Special Lass," a few words of praise after winning Grand Champion Mare. -Staff photo by Rost

All classes were judged by Dr. Sam Jackson, associate professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Having the honor of judging the show for the fourth time this year, Jackson said he is impressed with the wide range of ability.

"When you look at the geography of the district -- San Antonio, Austin -- which are large urban areas, the kids that come from those areas have a different way about them then what you might see from Junction and some of those counties. This district show has a larger range of horse type and skills than any district. It's fun to see and evaluate that in the horses," said Jackson.

According to the 2005 State 4-H Horse Rulebook, the 4-H Horse Shows provide a wholesome form of recreation and a forum for demonstrating horsemanship and horse-training skills that lead to recognition and accomplishment.

Offering projects and activities in horse management, production, training and use is the objective of the Texas 4-H Horse Program. These objectives includes providing means for 4-H members to:

1. Acquire horsemanship and horse-training skills.

2. Gain knowledge concerning science-related subjects, including horse production, management, training, evaluation, and use.

3. Prepare for citizenship responsibilities and community service.

4. Develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, sportsmanship, and other desirable life traits.

Cheryl Mapston, District 10 Extension administrator, said the show went very well and commented on program. "The District Horse Show provides a great opportunity for 4-H members to showcase skills they learned through participation in the 4-H Horse Project."