Posted: August 1, 2019
The 6th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Junior Horse Championship Show was held July 27-28, 2019 at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. More than 140 4-H members from across Pennsylvania exhibited horses in performance and in hand classes, totaling over 450 entries for the weekend.
The Junior Horse Championship Show is the premier competition of the year for most 4-H horse members enrolled in junior horse projects. Events include breed conformation and futurity classes for yearling to 5-year-old horses, as well as barrel and driving futurities. In Hand Trail and Performance Skills classes were also part of the Junior Horse Show. Results from the show are available on the Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program website.
All exhibitors competed at a preliminary level in each class for a merit placing. At this level each entry was evaluated against a standard of excellence and received a blue, red, or yellow merit placing. Blue merit placings then advanced to a championship class, where they competed against all blue merit winners in their division. Winners of all championship classes were awarded a neck sash and a Junior Horse Championship Show jacket. Winners of all In Hand championship classes then advanced to compete for Grand Champion honors. Kayla Kimble of Clinton County was named Champion Master Showman which was awarded to the top exhibitor in the Master Showman championship class out of 21 preliminary entries.
New this year at the show - Friday afternoon, members of the teen leadership group, Team Horse Power attended a clinic with equine extension associates, Lew Trumble and Joe Stanco to work on their horsemanship skills. Joe Stanco also held a horse judging work-out to provide judging teams with in-depth judging experience to take back to their teammates and counties. Friday evening following the Ice Cream Social, the PA 4-H Horse Program hosted a "Handling the young horse" clinic. This clinic discussed proper techniques for handling young horses In Hand. Brian Egan, Penn State Horse Barn Coordinator and Equine Science Sr. Instructor was the presenter.
There are over 4,000 4-H horse projects involving youth throughout Pennsylvania. Programs are designed to develop life skills in youth and knowledge of horse production, use, and management. For additional information on 4-H horse programs in Pennsylvania, contact your county Penn State Extension office or visit the Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program web site.
