Published on 06/30/21

Georgia 4-H'ers qualify for Southern Regional Horse Championships

By Heather Shultz

The 2021 Georgia 4-H State Horse Show, hosted by Georgia 4-H, was held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry June 8-12. Overall, 157 youth participated in the competition.

Through the Georgia 4-H Horse Program, youth learn life skills including leadership, teamwork and problem-solving. In addition, they develop character traits of responsibility, discipline and respect.

“Enthusiasm and camaraderie reigned supreme during the five-day horse show where 4-H’ers, their families and horses came together for the first in-person equine competition in over a year,” said Julia McCann, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension animal and dairy science equine specialist. “Showing in Sutherland and the new Perdue Arena was exciting and consolidated the performances to ease the ability to support and enter across-discipline shows.”

The State Horse Show provides the opportunity for youth to ride in five different disciplines as well as participate in a written quiz on horsemanship and 4-H knowledge. Overall, there were 89 classes in five divisions including ranch horse, stock seat, gaited/saddle seat, hunt seat and contest. In addition to the riding events, participants could choose to compete in horse method demonstrations, team demonstrations, public speaking, art and essay contests. All classes were judged by experienced equestrians and other experts.

From this event, 70 Georgia 4-H youth qualified to represent Georgia at the Southern Regional Horse Championships along with 4-H’ers from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in Perry from July 28 to August 1.

Scholarships, ribbons and special prizes for the show were donated by event sponsors including the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine, Horseman’s Quarter Horse Association, Godfrey’s Feed and Stoney Fork Products. The high-point senior discipline winners will earn a $500 scholarship as well as Georgia Master 4-H’er status and be honored at Georgia State 4-H Congress in July in Atlanta. The reserve high-point senior discipline winners will receive a $300 scholarship.

Contest Events Division high-point winners:

Junior: Hannah Minchew, Towns County

Senior: Camille Johnson, Elbert County

Hunt Seat Division high-point winners:

Cloverleaf: Reagan Hendrix, Bulloch County

Junior: Hannah Minchew, Towns County

Senior: Emma Bayer, Cobb County

Ranch Horse Division high-point winners:

Cloverleaf: Sara Morgan Sapp, Burke County

Junior: Kaylee Cahill, Bleckley County

Senior: Emma Watson, Bulloch County

Gaited/Saddle Seat Division high-point winners:

Cloverleaf: Kamryn Vannier, Monroe County

Junior: Matthew Mullins, Thomas County

Senior: Savannah Conner, Fulton County

Stock Seat Division high-point winners:

Cloverleaf: Aubrey Icard, Houston County

Junior: Hannah Minchew, Towns County

Senior: Noel Pickel, Morgan County

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 190,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Extension office.

Heather Shultz is a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H Livestock Specialist.

Authors:

Heather Shultz

Experts/Sources:

Julia S. McCann

A Georgia 4-H'er participates in the ranch horse competition at the Georgia 4-H State Horse Show.

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