In June, West Feliciana 4-H’ers involved with the horse project started their journey through the summer horse shows. These youth and their families give many hours of time and dedication to their animals while working on the 4-H Horse Project. We would like to give special thanks to every parent who has helped their child fulfil their dreams with this project, and we would also like to thank Dr. Anni Bickham Graves, our horse club leader, for all of her hard work and dedication to this project and the youth involved.

West Feliciana had eight competitors compete at the District Horse Show in Amite, LA. Mary Dean G, Taylor T, and Brooklyn T. all competed at Florida Parishes Arena on June 16^th. Though the show was cut short due to a weather event, the following competitors were able to qualify for state: Anna Klein G, Mary Davis G, Charles G, Drew G, and Carlie D. In order to advance to the Louisiana 4-H State Horse Show, competitors had to either receive a blue, red or white ribbon in the event they were riding in. All of our competitors at District, qualified for the State Show! We were so proud of them!

July 7^th to July 10^th brought the State Horse Show to Lamar Dixon in Gonzalez, LA. They competed in events that ranged from traditional western events, such as goat tying and roping, to barrel racing to performance events, such as western pleasure and reining.Seven of our youth went on to compete there and did very well! To qualify for Southern Regionals in Georgia, a competitor must have placed in the top ten in their event. A list of our top ten is listed below:

• Stake race, 13 and under: Mary Davis G- Fourth Place
• Stake Race, 14 and over: Mary Dean G- Eight Place
• Pole Bending, 14 and over: Mary Dean G, First Place
• Barrel Racing, 14 and Over- Mary Dean G, Third Place
• Barrel Racing, 13 and under: Mary Davis G, Sixth Place
• Breakaway Roping, 14 and Over: Charles G, First Place
• Reserve Champion High Point Timed Events, 14 and Over: Mary Dean G.
• Ground work, 13 and Under- Brooklynn T., Fifth Place
• Stock horse, pleasure, 13 and Under- Brooklynn T, Second Place
• Stock horse, pleasure, 14 and over: Mary Dean G., Third Place
• Stock horse, pleasure, 14 and over: Taylor T, Ninth Place
• Working Cow Horse, 13 and Under: Brooklynn T, Third Place
• Working Cow Horse, 14 and Over, Mary Dean G, Sixth Place
• Ranch Trail, 13 and Under-Brookly T, Third Place
• Ranch Trail, 14 and Over, Taylor T, Sixth Place
• Ranch Roping, 13 and Under- Brooklynn T., First Place
• Ranch Roping 14 and Over- Charles G, Second Place
• Ranch Roping 14 and Over- Andrew G, Third Place
• Ranch Roping 14 and Over- Taylor T, Fourth Place
• Ranch Riding, 13 and Under- Brooklyn T-Third place
• Ranch Riding, 14 and Over- Taylor T- First Place
• Ranch Riding, 14 and Over- Anna G, Third Place
• Ranch Riding, 14 and Over- Mary Dean G, Seventh Place
• Ranch/Team Sorting- Taylor T and Brooklyn T., Sixth Place
• Ranch High Point Saddle (13 and under)- Brooklyn T.
• Western pleasure, 14 and Over - Anna G, First Place
• Western Horsemanship, 13 and under- Brooklyn T., Ninth Place
• Western Horsemanship, 14 and over – Anna G, First Place
• Open trail, 13 and Under- Brooklynn T, Fourth Place
• Open trail, 14 and Over- Anna G, Second Place
• Open trail, 14 and over- Taylor T, Ninth Place
• Reining, 13 and Under-Brooklyn T, Second Place
• Reining, 14 and over- Taylor T, Fifth Place
• Woking Hunter, All Ages- Mary Dean G, First Place
• Equitation over Fences, All Ages- Mary Dean G, Second Place
• Hunter Under Saddle, 14 and Over- Mary Dean G, First Place
• Hunter Showmanship, 14 and Over- Mary Dean G, First Place
• Hunter High Point Saddle- Mary Dean G
• Premier Exhibitor- 1^st Place and Champion- Taylor T.

Next stop on the journey is the Southern Regional Horse Show in Perry, Georgia on July 30- August 2nd. This show will consist of 4-H’ers from 13 different states competing in an array of events. We are so proud of the listed 4-H’ers above and wish them luck!!! Congratulations on your accomplishments and we know you will do great at Southern Regionals!

If anyone has any questions about 4-H or participating in the 4-H Horse Project, please contact Katlin Gordon at 635-3614.