HARRISBURG, Pa. — Over 800 youth participated in the 57th annual 2016 Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show.

(Photo above: courtesy of Penn State Extension)

The horse show was held October 28-30 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

More than 800 youth from over 60 counties participated in 73 performance classes throughout the weekend. There were over 1600 entries shown by youth who qualified for the show.

The State 4-H Horse Show is the final competition of the year for 4-H horse members enrolled in performance horse projects. To be eligible for the show, members must advance through qualifying competitions at county and district levels. Events include showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, pleasure, over fences, driving, western riding, reining, trail and timed events. A therapeutic riding division for riders with special needs is also included.

All class champions in the show were awarded champion ribbons and pewter plates, as well as embroidered champion jackets. Reserve champions in each class received a ribbon and a mini grooming tote. All 3rd place through 5th place received a draw string bag.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Teri Antilley, Penn State Equine Extension Specialist; Laura Dietrich, Berks County, Outstanding Member Winner 2016; Chester Stoltzfus, C & M Pine Products; Dr. Tammy Clark, State Horse Show Manager and Vice Chair, 4-H Horse Program Development Committee.

Laura Dietrich — the Outstanding Member Winner — received a tack trunk and a leather halter and lead. Laura has been a 4-H member for 11 years and is an active member and leader in the Blue Ribbon Riders 4-H Horse Club in Berks County.

She has participated in the 4-H Horseless Project, 4-H Teen Leader Project and Level 2: Horsemanship. Laura has served as an officer, teen leader and camp counselor in her 4-H clubs and participated in numerous leadership and community service activities in Berks County. Laura held the positions of Secretary, President and Vice President within her 4-H Club, and she participated in State 4- H Leadership Conference, State 4-H Capital Days, State 4-H Achievement Days (hippology and horse judging), National 4-H Congress, 4-H National Youth Agri-Science Summit, National 4-H Week (Cidra, Puerto Rico), 4-H Science Day Camp, 4-H Veterinary Science Day Camp, and All American Quarter Horse Congress and Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup judging competitions.

Her community service activities have included being a camp counselor, leading science activities in Puerto Rico, and helping with the Animal Rescue League.

Laura is currently a sophomore, majoring in Veterinary and Biomedical Science at The Pennsylvania State University.

Outstanding Member Finalists 2016: Pictured left to right — Dr. Amy Snover, Chair, 4-H Horse Program Development Committee; Dr. Tammy Clark, State Horse Show Manager and Vice-Chair, 4-H Horse Program Development Committee; Rachel Sproat (finalist), Indiana County; Laura Keller (finalist), Mifflin County; Samantha Murphy (finalist), Fayette County; Amberley Spicher (finalist), Jefferson County; Dr. Teri Antilley, Penn State Equine Extension Specialist; Chester Stoltzfus, C & M Pine Products.

Outstanding member award finalists were presented halters and leads and grooming trays.

Equine Extension Associates, Bethany Bickel and Lew Trumble, worked with Team Horse Power members to provide hands-on clinics for youth and adults. Activities at the State 4-H Horse Show included the Ground Roping Contest, where contestants were judged on specific criteria, such as swing and delivery, and the Mop Pony Classic, where contestants had fun competing with their most well- trained mop ponies. Team Horse Power is a leadership program that trains and empowers teens and young adults to develop their individual skills and in turn teach horsemanship skills and mentor youth. Team members work at county, regional and state activities to help youth improve their horsemanship abilities, promote safety and provide information about 4-H programs.

Team Horse Power members were presented medallions in recognition of their achievements and service to the 4-H Horse Program. Team Horse Power members include: Jesse Dillaman, Butler County; Grace Joyce, Butler County; Madeline McEachin, Butler County; Alison Benna, Clinton County; Olivia Benna, Clinton County; Addison Bloom, Clinton County; Hunter Bloom, Clinton County; Kayla Kimble, Clinton County; Brianna Lovell, Clinton County; Kennedy Fagan, Columbia County; Kayley McIntyre, Lancaster County; Laura Keller, Mifflin County; Melissa Owens, Northumberland County; Emma Sharp, Northumberland County; Olivia Aten, Westmoreland County.

New in 2015, the 4-H Horse Program Development Committee awarded scholarships for the outstanding Team Horse Power members.

Team Horse Power Scholarship Winners 2016: Pictured left to right — Bethany Bickel, Eastern Extension Associate; Brianna Lovell, Clinton County; Olivia Aten, Westmoreland County; Lew Trumble, Western Extension Associate.

Equine Educational Exhibits were on display throughout the show for youth to demonstrate acquired horsemanship knowledge. Exhibits were judged on equine related facts and educational content.

The overall grand champion was the exhibit entitled “Past-Your-Eyes” by Laurel Mountain Club of Westmoreland County. The winner was awarded a perpetual trophy.

Overall Educational Exhibits Award Winner 2016: Westmoreland County — Pictured left to right — Pictured with the perpetual trophy provided by Hoy’s Trophies: Dr. Amy Snover, Chair, 4-H Horse Program Development Committee; Samantha Dickson, Kaitlynn Lebo, Laurel Daniels, Hays Daniels, (Back row) Dr. Tammy Clark, Chair, 4-H Horse Program Development Committee; Dr. Teri Antilley, Penn State Equine Extension Specialist

A perpetual trophy was awarded to the overall grand champion in the category of Good Housekeeping. This year’s recipient of the Grand Champion award was Allegheny County.

Overall Good Housekeeping Award Winners 2016: Allegheny County — Pictured left to right: Pictured with the perpetual trophy provided by Hoy’s Trophies: Bethany Bickel, Eastern Extension Associate; Sarah Maseychik; Amanda Becker, Abby Lynn, Robert Ware, Allegheny County Extension Educator; Lew Trumble, Western Extension Associate

The 18th Annual State 4-H Model Horse Show was held on Saturday in the cafeteria on the 3rd floor. The Model Horse Show provides a means for youth to learn and perfect the hobby of collecting and showing model horses, while also learning about horse breeds, history, tack, equipment and related horse information. The model show is an opportunity for youth that may not be able to own and show live horses to participate in the show and learn more about the horse industry.

New to the show this year is the 2016 State 4-H Horse Show Photography Contest. The contest provides youth the opportunity to exhibit their photography and encourages all members to participate in the State Horse Show through a variety of activities. This year, 78 participants submitted photos in four categories: Animal, People, Landscape and Other at either the Junior or Senior level, based on 4-H age. The winners for the inaugural contest are: Jr. Landscape: Grace Hannah, Clearfield County, Photo: Poof! Make a Wish; Sr. Landscape: Julia Szyszko, Bucks County, Photo: Serenity; Jr. Other: Lily Santoro, Lawrence County, Photo: Blossom; Sr. Other: Rebekah Whippo, Lawrence County, Photo: Drip; Jr. People: Alexandra Newcomb, Clinton County, Photo: Kelvin Among the Sheep; Sr. People: Sarah Smith, Lawrence County, Photo: Love; Jr. Animal: Jenna Tyson, Berks County, Photo: Painted Horse, Painted Sky; Sr. Animal: Mia Crawford, Montgomery County, Photo: All the Rave.

There are over 6,500 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.

Results and photos from the show are available on the Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program website.

(Photos courtesy of John Hudson Photography for award winners.)