From Penn State Extension of Berks County
The 65th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show was held Oct. 23-26 at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA. More than 650 youth from over 50 counties participated in 82 performance classes throughout the weekend. There were more than 1,400 entries shown by youth who qualified for the show.
The State 4-H Horse Show is the final competition of the year for 4-H horse members enrolled in performance horse projects. To be eligible, members must advance through qualifying competitions at the county and district levels. Events include showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, pleasure, over-fences classes, driving, western riding, reining, trail, and timed events. An Equestrian with Disabilities division for riders with special needs is also included.
All class champions were awarded champion ribbons and custom Wendell August Forge pewter plates, as well as embroidered champion jackets. Reserve champions received gift certificates donated by Perri’s Leather.
Show management and participants appreciated the continued support and generous donations from our Grand Champion Sponsor, The Pennsylvania National Horse Show; Reserve Champion Sponsors, PW Wood & Son Inc., Perri’s Leather, and Tory Leather Company; and Blue Ribbon Sponsors, C&M Pine Products, Pam Nealer, Penn State Animal Science, and the Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program Development Committee. Award Ceremony Sponsors included Seko MedTec Solutions for the Grand Prize Giveaway donation, with generous prize support from TS Tack and On Stride Equine Services. Thank you to AP Notary & Apparel for providing T-shirts, bags, hats, and stickers.
Berks County 4-H Members’ top 10 placing results:
Low Equitation Over Fences, Ages 8-13
- 1st place: Amanda Haldeman, Frederick, PA
Hunter Under Saddle Ponies
- 1st place: Amanda Haldeman, Frederick, PA
Hunter Hack Ponies
- 1st place: Amanda Haldeman, Frederick, PA
English Grooming and Showmanship, Ages 15-18
- 3rd place: Emma Swoyer, Bally, PA
English Grooming and Showmanship, Ages 8-11
- 3rd place: Sophia Thornhill, Sellersville, PA
Low Working Hunter Ponies
- 5th place: Amanda Haldeman, Frederick, PA
Breed Type Hunter Under Saddle Horses, Ages 8-13
- 9th place: Sophia Thornhill, Sellersville, PA
In its second year, the Sportsmanship Award was given to youth from each horse district. Sportsmanship reflects the character individuals display while participating in events and programs. True sportsmanship includes showing character in defeat without complaining and being gracious in victory. Nominees were selected from each district, and the award recipients were:
- District 1, Berks County: Angelina Shumaker, Reading, PA
- District 2, Bradford County: Noelle Blasz
- District 5, Mifflin County: Savannah Sowers
- District 6, Cumberland County: Cloey Barrick
- District 7, Bedford County: Saige Turnbull
- District 8, Elk County: Helayna Hollobaugh
- District 9, Lawrence County: Madeline Glaize
- District 10, Westmoreland County: Richelle Jones
In its eighth year, the State 4-H Horse Show Photography Contest provided youth an opportunity to exhibit photography in Animal, Landscape, and Other categories at both Junior and Senior levels. More than 50 youth from 15 counties participated and submitted photos in three categories: Landscape, Animals, and Other at either the junior or senior level, based on age. Berks County 4-H had Hannah Laverty from Pottstown, PA, place 1st with her Senior Landscape photo entry, and Megan Salamone from Reading, PA, place 1st with her Senior Other photo entry.
Equine Skillathon contests were held again this year, with scholarships donated by the PA Paint Horse Club for 1st to 3rd place in each age division. More than 100 youth participated. Berks County 4-H Member, Megan Salamone, of Reading, PA, was Reserve Champion in the Senior Division.
There are several thousand 4-H horse projects involving youth throughout Pennsylvania. Programs are designed to develop life skills and knowledge of horse care, production, use, and management.
For additional information on 4-H horse programs in Pennsylvania, contact your county Penn State Extension office at extension.psu.edu/counties or visit the Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program website at extension.psu.edu/4-h/projects/horses.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Penn State Extension 4-H youth development educators in all 67 counties administer local programs through non-formal education and outreach. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h.
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Source: bctv