4-H horse club wins 14 awards at state show
Butler County 4-H horse club members earned 14 awards at the 50th annual State 4-H Horse Show held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg in which 896 youths from 64 counties vied for awards in 48 performance and 96 production classes.
Butler County had 15 4-H members in the competition. Events tested skills in showmanship, equitation, pleasure, jumping, driving and timed events.
In the performance division, Dakota Roy of Butler captured first place in Western Grooming and Showmanship, Junior Division, and second place in Western Pleasure Horse, Junior Rider. Sonia Sacco of Butler placed fifth in Pole Bending Ponies. Joshua Dillaman of Slippery Rock placed ninth in Pleasure Horse Driving. Ginger Ullrich of Slippery Rock placed ninth in Novice Reining and 10th in Stock Seat Equitation, Senior Division. Alicia Sacco of Butler captured 10th place in Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences, Senior Division.
In the 4-H horse production division, members exhibit project animals they have raised. Sarah Cashdollar of Mars captured first place in Stock Type Horse Three Year Old Geldings. Marki Raabe and Johnathan Raabe of Boyers placed first and third respectively with entries in Stock Type Horse Three Year Old Fillies. Collin Fowler of Chicora exhibited the second place entry in Haflinger Two and Three-Year Old Fillies. In the Quarter Horse Two Year Old Gelding class, Ginger Ullrich place second, and Seth Randolph of Portersville placed fourth. Ginger Ullrich also place second in the Western Pleasure Four Year Old Pleasure Futurity.Also competing at the State 4-H Horse Show were Jesse Dillaman of Slippery Rock, Shane Sorg of Saxonburg, Carissa Chilcott, Heather Corbett of Butler, Jennifer Plecher of West Sunbury and Bridget Miller of Evans City.As part of the annual ceremonies, 4-H members were recognized for completion of advanced levels of horsemanship skills. Butler County 4-H participants recognized for completion of Level 3 skills included Amanda Dillaman of Slippery Rock and Beth Larson of Harmony.
The Horsemanship Skills Program is a progressive, educational program to develop safety, horsemanship and life skills of 4-H members. Youth are provided opportunities to learn skills and are evaluated by trained examiners before advancing to the next level. There are four levels beginning with a novice or beginner level and progressing to an advanced level.The purpose of the Pennsylvania 4-H horse program is to develop life skills in youth and knowledge of horse production, use and management. The program promotes development of horsemanship skills, while encouraging responsibility, self-confidence, sportsmanship and responsible care of project animals.The state 4-H horse show culminates the year for more than 6,000 Pennsylvania 4-H members enrolled in horse and pony clubs. To be eligible for this show, 4-H members advanced through qualifying competitions at county and district levels.For additional information about 4-H horse clubs in Butler County, contact County Extension Director Donna Zang at 724-789-7985. E-mail dsz1@psu.edu.This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.
