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Submitted photo of Misty Loggins.
Misty Loggins earned a fourth place ribbon in the Ranch Horse Division with West Side Slide aka Serena.
Gianna Gayhart earned two Honorable Mentions in the Hunt Seat Division, second place in Stock Seat and placed ninth in the overall Stock Seat Cloverleaf Division all with Mr. Principles Skip aka Skippy.
Submitted photo of Gianna Gayhart.
ATHENS – The 2021 Georgia 4-H State Horse Show, hosted by Georgia 4-H was at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Ga. 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 comradery reigned supreme during the five-day horse show where the 4-Hers, their families and horses came together for the first in person equine competition in over a year,” said Dr. Julia McCann, University of Georgia, Animal & 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 will qualify 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, Ga on July 28-August 1, 2021.
Scholarships, ribbons and special prizes for the show were donated by event sponsors: The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine, the 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, Ga. The Reserve High Point Senior Discipline winners will receive a $300 scholarship.
Contest Events Division High Points:
Junior: Hannah Minchew, Towns County
Senior: Camille Johnson, Elbert County
Hunt Seat Division High Points:
Cloverleaf: Reagan Hendrix, Bulloch County
Junior: Hannah Minchew, Towns County
Senior: Emma Bayer, Cobb County
Ranch Horse Division High Points:
Cloverleaf: Sara Morgan Sapp, Burke County
Junior: Kaylee Cahill, Bleckley County
Senior: Emma Watson, Bulloch County
Gaited/Saddle Seat Division High Points:
Cloverleaf: Kamryn Vannier, Monroe County
Junior: Matthew Mullins, Thomas County
Senior: Savannah Conner, Fulton County
Stock Seat Division High Points:
Cloverleaf: Aubrey Icard, Houston County
Junior: Hannah Minchew, Towns County
Senior: Noel Pickel, Morgan County
“Pike County was well-represented by four 4-Hers who showed in three of the five divisions offered at the show. The competition was tough, but two of our riders placed and earned honors while in Perry. I am so proud of this group and look forward to growing the 4-H Horse Program so we can take even more riders to the state show next year,” state Brooklyne Wassel, Pike County Extension Agent.
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 the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Pike County Extension office at 770-567-2010.