By Laura Allen

Rowan County 4-H Agent

Rowan County 4-H has many youth who are involved in 4-H horse events. On July 10-14, seven 4-H’ers representing three different Rowan County 4-H clubs competed in the North Carolina 4-H State Horse Show held at the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh.

In order to compete at the state competition, these 4-H’ers had to first qualify at a district level 4-H horse show. 

Allison Mares of Happy Trails 4-H Club and her horse Meenah had their debut performance at the North Carolina State Horse Show in the Rookie Hunter division. Allison and Meenah competed in showmanship, hunter under saddle, equitation and cross rails. Allison’s warm-ups started at 6 a.m. and progressed into in-hand and riding classes. This was Allison’s first time competing in the 4-H State Horse Show and is an experience she will always remember. 

The ERSC Blazing Hooves 4-H Club was represented by 4-H’ers Maclaine Dietz, Livvie Hill, Tiffin Jacobs and Laylla Rabon. All of these 4-H’ers participated in the speed events, which included barrels, pole bending, Texas barrels, flag race and stake race. Jacobs placed third in Texas Barrels, third in the stake race and fifth in the flag race. Hill placed seventh in the flag race. Dietz placed ninth in the flag race and Rabon placed ninth in poles. This was Jacobs’ and Dietz’s first time participating in the 4-H State Horse Show.

4-H’ers Jaysa Causby and Madisyn White, members of the Rowan Researchers 4-H Club, also competed at the 4-H State Horse Show. Causby and her horse Belleza showed for the first time in the Senior Non-Trotting Division. They did well and this was a great experience for them to grow as they moved up to a new age group. They won two first place ribbons and medals.

White entered four classes in the non-trotting junior division. White placed second in other non-trotting 2 gait English pleasure, third in non-trotting geldings in hand, third in non-trotting showmanship junior and fifth in non-trotting equitation.

She also entered three dressage classes in the non-trotting division. She received two third place ribbons and a fourth place ribbon. This was White’s first year riding ABC Encendido (Blaze), who she has been training since November of last year. It was his first time showing at the state show.

All of these 4-H’ers have put in many hours of learning and practice in order to prepare for their horse shows. If you see them, please congratulate them on their dedication, effort and achievements. Thanks also to their 4-H club leaders and parents who also dedicate countless hours into helping them achieve their goals. All of these folks, the 4-H’ers and adult volunteers alike, continue to represent Rowan County 4-H well. 

If you are interested in getting your child involved in Rowan County 4-H, please contact Rowan County 4-H Agent Laura Allen at 704-216-8970 or laura_allen@ncsu.edu. You can also learn more by visiting the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office at 2727-A Old Concord Road Salisbury, NC 28146, visiting https://rowan.ces.ncsu.edu/, or by following our Facebook page: Rowan County 4-H Program.