Jackson County 4-H Rides High at State 4-H Horse Show
Eight Jackson County 4-H members and numerous volunteers made the trip to Tampa to compete in the 2015 State 4-H Horse Show, July 8-11.
Seven members of the Jackson County 4-H Buckaroos Horse Club along with their club leader Katricia Edenfield, and club volunteers Michelle Stone, Karen Mercer and Terry Harris, made the journey as did at-large member Edwin Rabon.
Click on picture to see the ride!
On Friday the youth participated in an ice cream social and dance party sponsored for all of the competitors.
Competition began at 7:00 AM Friday morning, which was fine for the anxious competitors from Jackson County 4-H! Zack Edenfield, Autumn Mercer, Amber Mercer and Jake Branch started the morning off with a bang! Amber Mercer placed 5th in Junior Ground Handing and Jake Branch placed 8th. Senior members Chelsea Edenfield, Trey Smith and River Clark competed in the Senior Ground Handling Division with Chelsea Edenfield taking 8th place. In the Junior Speed Division Keyhole Race, Zack Edenfield placed 4th and Jake Branch placed 5th. In the Senior Speed Division Keyhole Race, Trey Smith placed 4th. In the Junior Speed Division State Race, Autumn Mercer placed 3rd and Zack Edenfield placed 7th. In the Senior Speed Division Stake Race, Trey Smith, placed 4th. In the Senior Speed Division Pole Bending, Trey Smith placed 9th. In the Junior Speed Division Barrel Race, Autumn Mercer placed 4th and Zack Edenfield placed 5th. In the Senior Speed Division Barrel Race, Chelsea Edenfield placed 8th and Trey Smith placed 10th place. River Clark gave it his all but feel a little short. Not pictured: Junior Edwin Rabon placed 8th in the Stake Race and 7th in the Keyhole Race.
The Jackson County 4-H Buckaroos Horse Club led the Parade of Counties prior to the commencement of the 4-H Awards Program.
For many of the club members, competing in events such as the State 4-H Horse Show is the highlight of their year, and they work hard to get there. Club members gain so much from their club experience and from the activities they are involved in. These youth are fortunate to have a group of hard-working volunteers and a community that supports them.
We asked the club members to shed some insight as to their State 4-H Horse Show experience with us, and they had this to say:
Zack, “Last year I only brought home one ribbon, but this year I brought home three!”
Amber, “I liked the new experience and meeting new people.”
Autumn, “I like the competitiveness and the sportsmanship of the other competitors.”
Trey, “I liked seeing my friends that I met in my previous years at state.”
Jake, “The sweet tea and looking at all the great trucks.”
River, “I enjoyed all of the events. It was hot and I had a great time. I wish Sonny (his horse) would’ve run a little faster. “
Chelsea, “I would say something along the lines of we all had a great time. It was hot but it was worth it. Unlike most events the majority of the people were courteous. Also having the opportunity to talk to other kids statewide that share the same passion for horses.”
The top competitors from Jackson County 4-H were Junior Zack Edenfield who had a combined event total of 20 points, and Senior Trey Smith, with a combined event total of 15 points. Only senior qualifiers advance to the Regional Competition, so we wish Trey Smith the best of luck, as he travels to Perry, Georgia to compete in the 4-H Regional Horse Show, July 29 – August 1, 2015.
Club members shown here with store manager Belinda Springhart.
The Jackson County 4-H Youth Development Program would like to thank everyone who helped to make this trip possible for these youth, from the Club Leader Katricia Edenfield and her club volunteers Michelle Stone, Karen Mercer and Terry Harris, the Marianna Tractor Supply Store for donating shavings, the Gilley family from Grandridge for donating hay (hay), Prince and Chanel Fielder for their large financial contribution, and the entire Jackson County Community for supporting these youth and for helping promote 4-H.
The Jackson County 4-H program is growing more and more every day. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about the Jackson County 4-H Youth Development program, please visit the 4-H Youth Development page at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/jacksonco/. You may also contact the 4-H Office at (850) 482-9620 or email amgranger@ufl.edu.
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