These nine riders had previously placed and scored at the regional equestrian event held at the Grange Fair grounds in July, enabling them to move on to the state level.

In Harrisburg, all nine of the competitors placed in the top 10 in the state for their events, with two of those riders taking first place. The 10 different contest categories had 82 separate events that took place over the span of four days, with two active rings each day — and some classes having as many as 32 entries.

This required that most riders awake before dawn to groom their horse, shine their tack, then donning their riding apparel and warming up their horse before going into the ring. The amount of tack, feed and other equipment needed by the group’s horses was so great that it took up three full 10’x10′ stalls.

Lauren Johnson brought home the champion ribbon in the Beginner English Equitation class. This class is judged on the rider including the correctness of their seat, hands, legs and the ability of the rider to communicate clearly with their horse. Lauren is in her third year of the 4-H horse program and leases the horse that she competes with.

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Evan Dubbs

Evan Dubbs placed as champion in Western Ranch Riding. In this class, the rider must direct the horse to reflect the versatility, attitude and movement of a working ranch horse. The horse’s performance should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse.

Evan has been in the 4-H horse program for eight years and has overcome the loss of a horse and a bout of COVID, to finally ribbon at states this year. He also placed in the top five in Western Grooming and Showmanship.

Other club members who placed in the state finals are:

Abby Simcox — Top 5 EWD Showmanship, EWD Equitation and EWD Trail

Addy Gilmore — Top 10 Breed Type Hunter Under Saddle

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Baylyn Mantle

Baylyn Mantle — Top 5 Keyhole, Top 10 Pole Bending

Gage Scanlan — Top 5 Beginner English Pleasure

Grace Moore — Top 10 Beginner English Pleasure

Phaedra Bower — Top 5 Saddleseat Pleasure

Piper Harmon — Top 5 EWD Showmanship and EWD Trail, Top 10 EWD Equitation

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Lauren Johnson

Reba Young — Top 10 Keyhole

This outcome is unprecedented, particularly for a smaller rural club and is bolstered by the volunteerism of several parents and the community of participants, many of whom travelled to the event to support and cheer on their fellow club members who had advanced to the state level.

“I believe all of them had a personal best at this show,” 4-H Organizational Leader, Sarina Bower, stated.

Each of the nine competitors put in hundreds of hours of work and practice to achieve their placement and to build their skill and knowledge base to where they are today. At their monthly 4-H meetings, they learn everything from animal husbandry (including nutrition, grooming and basic first aid), to repairing fences, building jumps with carpentry skills and reassembling a de-constructed bridle. These are foundational skills to support horse care and are just as important as the member’s riding skills.

The 4-H year runs from October to September. New members aged 8-18 may enroll at any time until March.

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Phaedra Bower

There are club opportunities for members who own their own, lease or share-board a horse, or even those who do not own a horse.

For more information contact Christine Showers, the 4-H educator for Clinton County at 570-726-0022.

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Abby Simcox

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Gage Scanlon

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Piper Harmon