Published on 12/12/11

Spalding 4-H Mounted Drill Team wins national title

The Spalding County 4-H Mounted Drill Team earned the title of National 4-H Mounted Drill Team Champions at the Kentucky Bluegrass Blast competition held Nov. 19 in Lexington, Ky.

The Georgia team competed against nine others from five states. The equestrian drill teams perform choreographed maneuvers to music. Drill teams entertain and show sportsmanship, horsemanship, teamwork and dedication.

“It was wonderful show and the team rode the strongest drills in recent memory, complete with five first and one second place finish,” said Wade Hutcheson, University of Georgia Extension agent in Spalding County.

Team members riding in Kentucky were Mollie Biles, Carly Nash, Anna Sizemore, Gayla Sizemore, Colter Chasteen, Ali Schortinghouse, Ashton Shelnutt and Annalysa Vaughn.

Immediately after the team’s national win, team coach Cary Chasteen honored his word and shaved his 25-year-old mustache.

In October, the team competed at the Alabama State Fair and placed first in Theme Quad, Freestyle 4-H, Freestyle Youth, Theme 4-H, and the class that determined the Alabama State Champion, Freestyle Open. This is the second Alabama State title the team has won. A second team from Spalding County, Southern Exposure, placed second in the Freestyle Open class.

The Spalding County 4-H team also earned second place in Quad Open and Theme Open, third place in Quad Youth and Theme Youth and fifth place in Quad Youth. Team members riding in Alabama were Mary Margaret Nash, Carly Nash, Mollie Biles, Anna Sizemore, Gayla Sizemore, Colter Chasteen, Ali Schortinghouse, Annalyssa Vaughn, Hannah Hill and Morgan Riveria.

For more information about the Spalding County 4-H Drill Team see their website at www.spaldingcounty4-Hdrillteam.com.

Experts/Sources:

Wade Hutcheson

Members of the Spalding County 4-H Drill Team are shown competing in Montgomery, Al. The team won the Alabama state title and went on to win the national title in Lexington, Ky.

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