Sanders County 4-H horse group readies for fair
Michelle McGuigan helping 4H riders warm up effectively during the practice session. Photo Credit Erin Jusseaume Clark Fork Valley Press
Trout Creel member Maddy Chojnacky working on the rail during the full group exercise Photo Credit Erin Jusseaume Clark Fork Valley Press
Thompson Falls 4-H rider Jessica Brahner moving through the western pleasure paces during warm up on her horse, Ben. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Trout Creek 4H rider Sydney Wilson taking part in group training with Nancy Beech. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Michelle McGuigan speaking with students during warm ups Photo Credit Erin Jusseaume Clark Fork Valley Press
Marsada Sweet ground working her Green Horse project Reno before practice begins. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Maddy Chojnacky of Trout Creek getting some collection during the group excerise. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
South Side Sparks member Deriyan Sheehan on Duchess working on their front end movements. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Deriyan Sheehan working her Green Horse Project Maisy Photo Credit Erin Jusseaume Clark Fork Valley Press
Michelle McGuigan explaing correct signals for collection to the advanced rider group at practice. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Those driving past the Sanders County Showgrounds on Tuesday evenings have likely noticed a group of kids on horseback riding in the outdoor arena.
These are the Sanders County 4-H Horse group kids, and of late they are putting the final preparations on their steeds ahead of the County Fair.
“They’re several levels of horsemanship that the kids move through,” said Barn Superintendent Nancy Beech. “As they get prepared for the upcoming Fair, they will also go through assessment grading before they compete,” she added.
It wasn’t just the kids from the South Side Sparks Plains division that were in attendance, but around four to five of the Trout Creek members came down as well.
Riders of all levels and ages were seen riding in the arena. Just like any other horse event, while warming up they would ride along in pairs and have a catch up.
Big kids, little kids, you could see the dedication of their chosen sport by just looking at the horses they were riding.
All members of 4-H horse program are responsible for their horses. Some have borrowed a horse in the past if they did not own one, but that doesn’t mean they can get away from the programs specific tasks.
Riding and training is only part of what they do. The members have to also document their care for assessment which includes Veterinary documentation, Farrier documentation, feed, exercise and so forth.
“I was a 4-H kid, and now my daughter is,” said Shelli Sheehan, mom of Deriyan Sheehan. “It’s a great program, it gives a lot of basics and teaches the kids to be responsible and learn how to support each other,” she added.
Shelli’s daughter Deriyan has two projects, she has her horse Dutchess who she shows and she also has a Green Horse project and her mount is a Mule.
Maisy the Mule is a borrowed mount from a family friend who has been using Maisy primarily as a packing mule for hunting season. Deriyan has been putting miles on Maisy and had recently been starting to bring her into town at the Fair grounds so she can get accustomed to the unfamiliar settings.
Both Deriyan and Maisy looked to enjoy the training day. Any horseman knows that the best way to produce a solid and sound broke horse is to put plenty of wet saddle blankets on them. Deriyan has certainly done that by just watching her and Maisy go through some training paces in the arena.
“Maisy loves her [Deriyan], she follows Deriyan everywhere, they truly have a special connection,” said mom Shelli.
For those members that will be showing in the upcoming Fair, there will be a number of techniques both on ground and on horseback that each competitor will be marked on.
From what was seen in the practice pen, you can be sure that anyone who stops by the show rings will see some great horsemanship from the 4-H Sanders County members.