By Kelsey Varn, Secretary,
Saddles and Spurs Club
Area B, held on May 21 and 22, was a breathtaking and exciting adventure for the 4-H members of the Saddles and Spurs Horse Club. The event took place at the Clay County arena, on an extremely hot afternoon. Speed events began at 7 for the groups that can really turn and burn out in an arena! The competition was small but fierce between the five riders in the senior division. The poles were run first, next the cloverleaf, then the stake race, and last but not least the keyhole. Madison County had one rider compete in these different events, Kelsey Varn, who turned out three second places and a hard earned first place.
After an exhilarating ride it was time to settle down and start preparing for the Showmanship class that would be held first thing in the morning. Everybody put their barn clothes on, and started scrubbing their horses, making them squeaky-clean. Once all the washing was done, and final touch ups were complete, it was time to hit the sack and get what rest we could before morning came around. The sun came up, and everybody was on their feet, feeding horses, doing last minute touchups for both the horse and rider and trying to figure out if they could hold a donut in one hand and a horse brush in the other. The moment came and it was Madison County’s Saddle’s and Spurs 4-Hers’ time to shine with their equines. Cody Jesse, Kelsey Varn, Abigail Blanton, and Jared Langell, proudly presented their horses in front of the judge. For most of us, except Cody, this was new and exciting. We all did great for our first time, but the competition was stiff, and only Cody placed with her adorable Haflinger, Emmy.
The exciting day wasn’t over yet, for most of us the day had only just begun. Cody went on to compete in four other western competitions and placing quite well in all of them. In total she earned eight points towards State, and will be competing at the 4-H State Horse Show in Tampa. Abigail did beautifully in the English events she competed in; however, with tough competition and a serious judge, she didn’t place. When next year’s Area B competition comes around though, the other riders had better watch out, because Abigail and her horse are going to blow them all away! Jared Langell was our relaxed horse and rider team; he rode in the trail events and did very well for his first time being at a show of this level. Not placing, but with the potential of doing awesome next year with some time and practice, Jared and his horse did his club proud.
At last the day was over, the heat could finally be pushed away, and two of Saddles and Spurs’ 4-H riders are going to State. Come support our two Area B finalist at the 4-H State Horse Show in Tampa July 7th-9th at the State Fairground!
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