(07/15/21) GONZALES, La. , — Members of Louisiana 4-H and FFA recently competed in the 51st Annual LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA State Horse Show on July 5-9 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

AgCenter horse show manager Dwayne Nunez said the annual horse show provides young people with opportunities to participate in a series of activities designed to improve citizenship, sportsmanship, horsemanship, character, competitive spirit, discipline and responsibility.

Horse show contestants participated in riding events in the western division, hunter division, speed division and ranch division. In addition, 4-H youth competed in public speaking, demonstrations, quiz bowl and horse judging, which provide an opportunity for youth to develop skills in communication, analytical thinking, character building and equine science, Nunez said.

Horses are an important part of Louisiana agriculture, with the latest figures from the LSU AgCenter Ag Summary showing that the total impact of the industry to the state’s economy was about $375.2 million in 2018.

Winners of this year’s show were announced in the following categories:

Individual Demonstration- Junior Division

1st- Avery Stevenson, Richland Parish

2nd- Brianna MaCray, East Baton Rouge Parish

3rd- Nola Dickey, Richland Parish

4th- Julianna Easley, East Baton Rouge Parish

5th- Colburn LeDoux, Calcasieu Parish

Individual Demonstration- Senior Division

1st- Ali Fontenot, St. Martin Parish

2nd- Gracie Powell, Beauregard Parish

Public Speaking- Junior Division

1st- Aliegh Pourciau, Vermilion Parish

Public Speaking- Senior Division

1st- Josie Blanchard, St. Martin Parish

2nd- Ashleigh Godke, West Feliciana Parish

Team Demonstration- Junior Division

1st- Justin Cormier and Kolin Broussard, Vermilion Parish

Team Demonstration- Senior Division

1st- Lanie LeLeu and Bradlie Debnam, St. Martin Parish

Horse Premier Exhibitor

1st- Ashliegh Godke, West Feliciana Parish

2nd- Gracie Powell, Beauregard Parish

3rd- Kinsey Waits, Vermilion Parish

4th- Emma Grace Marangos, East Baton Rouge Parish

Paint Horse Gelding, All Ages

Champion and 1st in class- Aliegh Pourciau, Vermilion Parish

Reserve Champion and 2nd in class- Alexis Guin, Webster Parish

Paint Horse Mares, All Ages

Champion and 1st in class- Isabelle Dunn, Rapides Parish

Quarter Horse Gelding, Foaled in 2017 and Before

Champion and 1st in class- Alexis Shankle, Lincoln Parish

Reserve Champion and 2nd in class- Ashleigh Godke, West Feliciana Parish

3rd- Julianna Easley, East Baton Rouge Parish

4th- Bayleigh Sevin, St. Charles Parish

5th- Jessie McDowell, Rapides Parish

6th- Josey Shuff, Grant Parish

7th- Gracie Hanley, Rapides Parish

8th- Jillian Hebert, Vermilion Parish

Quarter Horse Mares, Foaled in 2020

1st- Gracie Hanley, Rapides Parish

Quarter Horse Mares, Foaled in 2018

1st- Jessi McDowell, Rapides Parish

Quarter Horse Mares, Foaled in 2017 & Before

Champion and 1st in class- Isabelle Dunn, Rapides Parish

Reserve Champion and 2nd in class- Sophie Fernandez, Terrebonne Parish

3rd- Alyssa Loyd, St. Tammany Parish

Miniature Horse Geldings, All Ages

Champion and 1st in class- Andrew Godke, West Feliciana Parish

AOB and Grade Horse Geldings, All Ages

Champion and 1st in class- Jaycie Hebert, Lafayette Parish

Reserve Champion and 2nd in class- Hannah Morgan, Cameron Parish

3rd- Charity Fox, Tangipahoa Parish

AOB and Grade Horse Mares, All Ages

Champion and 1st in class- Kinsey Waits, Vermilion Parish

Reserve Champion and 2nd in class- Annalise Arnaud, St. Martin Parish

3rd- Gracie Hanley, Rapides Parish

4th- Charity Fox, Tangipahoa Parish

For information about horse shows around the state contact Dwayne Nunez at dnunez@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Members of Louisiana 4-H and FFA wait for the judge at the 51st annual LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA State Horse Show that was held July 5 to 9 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter