Local 4H members compete at statewide horse show

SANDERS COUNTY - Seven Sanders County 4H Horse Project Members competed in the Statewide 4H Horse Show held at the Majestic Arena in Kalispell September 13th thru the 14th. All returned home with ribbon placings. The competition is one of the largest horse competitions in the state with over 100 competitors. Many 4H families traveled from across the state to attend this event.

It was a first time experience for our Sanders County group represented by Senior 4H Members Laura Bratz, Alan Chojnacky, Mahala Sweet and Valaria Sweet; Junior Members Tanner Ovitt, Deriyan Sheehan and Marsada Sweet. To enter the State Show competition a member must place with a blue or purple ribbon at the county level. The State competition awards places to the top eight competitors in each class. With the entries reaching up to and sometimes more than 30 to a class, the competition was intense.

All participants must enter their horses in a showmanship class requiring proper grooming of the horse and handler. As a halter class each contestant performs a pattern while leading the horse before presenting their horse to the judge. Judging criteria is based on execution of the pattern, proper handling of the animal and presentation. Our horse project members work on this type of competition all year in hopes of placing in the blue ribbon category in the county horse show. Most of Fridays competition involved showmanship classes. In the 8 to 10 Junior Level Deriyan Sheehan placed sixth with Dutchess. When the placements are given the rider, horse and county are announced.

Friday’s competition also included Bareback Equitation. In the Intermediate Level Marsada Sweet placed eighth on Tawny. Saturday was full with all Western Horsemanship and training project classes. Again, each class had a pattern to be memorized by the rider and executed as perfectly as they can. Keeping in mind that all our Sanders County Horseman participated in as many classes as they could, only the placings will be listed. Placings as follows: Tanner Ovitt placed sixth on Quincy in Western Horsemanship Level 2; Deriyan Sheehan placed eighth in Junior Western Equitation on Dutchess; Mahala Sweet placed fifth in Western Horsemanship Level 4 on Brooklyn; Alan Chojnacky placed seventh in Yearling Colt to Maturity with Sky; Valaria Sweet placed first Green Horse Level 1 on Ranger; Mahala Sweet placed second Green Horse Level 1 on Lacy; Alan Chojnacky placed fifth Green Horse Level 2 on Nova; Valaria Sweet placed sixth in Colt to Maturity three year on Cowgirl; Alan Chojnacky placed seventh in Yearling Trial with Sky, Valaria Sweet placed second in Trail Colt to Maturity/Green Horse on Ranger and fourth place on Cowgirl; Alan Chojnacky placed fifth in Trail Colt to Maturity/ Green Horse on Nova. In the gaming competition Marsada Sweet took sixth place in Junior Barrels and third place in Junior poles on Tawny.

Although Laura Bratz competed Friday and Saturday in Showmanship and Western Horsemanship classes, Sunday was the big day for Laura and her horse Sugar. All the English Horsemanship and Equitation classes are held on Sunday. Many of the state wide 4H Horse Project Members compete in both Western and English disciplines, so the competition was intense. As before the riders must memorize a pattern to perform before the judge. Every movement from walk, trot to canter, circles and stops must be precise. Sugar, with Laura’s guidance transitioned very well from Western to English and placed sixth in Level 4 English Horsemanship and eighth in Senior English Equitation.

“It was a great experience for all of us including the 4H Horse Leaders and parents who stood by to help when needed,” said 4H Leader Nancy Beech.

As luck would have it, the Montana State 4H Horse Show will again be in Kalispell next year.

“For those who competed this year, you did a great job, win or lose you show good sportsmanship and our county should be proud,” said Beech.