St. Paul – Nine 4-H youth from Mower County participated in the Minnesota 4-H State Horse show from Sept. 13-16, 2018.

This year, more than 600 youth from across the state participated in the annual event at the Minnesota State Fair, where they demonstrated their skills and knowledge in hippology (showing knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry), horse judging (study of an animal, measuring it against an accepted ideal), horse training and achievement, speech and demonstrations about interest in horses or the horse industry, showmanship and drill team skills.

Mower County 4-H’er Chrystal Mullenbach won first place in Western Showmanship, Grade 11. Photo provided.

Youth who participate in the Minnesota 4-H Horse Project learn about show, trail, and endurance riding, test their horse knowledge at quiz bowls or on judging teams, and study horse science. Youth may participate if they own or lease a horse. There is even options for youth who are interested in horses, but don’t have access to one in their community.

“Through the Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show, youth build communications skills, gain deeper learning and interest in horses, and build relationships with caring adults,” said Renee Kostick, Extension Educator who manages the 4-H horse project in Minnesota. “These experiences contribute to their success in school, community, and futures.”

Mower County 4H’er Gretta Bergstrom placed sixth in Jumping Figure 8, Grade 8. Photo provided

Trey Anderson, Tyson Anderson, Gretta Bergstrom, Calli Coolidge, Emily Decker, Naomi Dolton, Ryan Lammey, Chrystal Mullenbach and Katie VanPelt were members of the Mower County delegation. They were awarded as follows:

• Trey Anderson: First place in Western Showmanship, Grade 7, second place in Western Pleasure, Grade 7, third place in Western Horsemanship, Grade 7 and fourth place in Trail, Grades 6-7

• Tyson Anderson: First place in Horse Training Step 4

• Gretta Bergstrom: Sixth place in Jumping Figure 8, Grade 8, ninth place in Key Race, Grade 8 and 10th place in Barrels, Grade 8

• Emily Decker: Second place in Key Race, Grade 11, fourth place in Poles, Grade 11 and fifth place in Barrels, Grade 11

• Naomi Dolton: Eighth place in Western Horsemanship, Grade 12, ninth place in Poles, Grade 12 and 10th place in Western Pleasure, Grade 12

• Ryan Lammey: Second place in Western Horsemanship, Grade 7 and third place in Western Pleasure, Grade 7

• Chrystal Mullenbach: First place in Western Showmanship, Grade 11, first place in Western Horsemanship, Grade 11, third place in Hunt Seat Equitation, Grade 11, fourth place in Hunt Seat Pleasure, Grade 11 and fifth place in Trail, Grade 10-11

• Katie VanPelt: Second place in Horse Related, Grades 6-8