HENDERSON Four Henderson County 4-H members have won top honors in state horse judging contests this year, surpassing contestants from larger counties through sheer hard work and talent, according to the local 4-H agent.
With 11 first and second places, in addition to over 23 other top ten awards at eight competitions thus far, 4-H’ers Daniel Barnett, Kristin Graham, Lindsey Van Dusen and Stuart Womack have been setting records in horse judging circles wherever they go.
“If you are not familiar with the ends and outs of horse judging, it may seem difficult to comprehend the effort these young adults have put forth to stand ahead of the crowd in the arena,” said Hilary Grider, 4-H and Youth Development agent with Texas Cooperative Extension in Henderson County.
“The true testament to this team’s abilities came from their top showings in horse judging contests at the Fort Worth and the San Antonio Livestock shows,” Grider said. “The almost unheard of back-to-back win has set them among judging teams around the world.”
Lindsey Van Dusen paced the team, winning high-point individual at Fort Worth and placing second at San Antonio.
The Fort Worth win was the biggest of the year, Grider said, because the judging contest is second in prestige only to the national competition, the All-American Quarter Horse Congress scheduled this year in Columbus, Ohio.
The Fort Worth win qualifies the team to represent Texas at the Columbus event in October.
The team has won their Extension district’s horse judging contest for five years running, which has allowed them to compete at Texas 4-H Roundup in June at Texas A&M University.
Grider noted that these events and the recognition they bring to Henderson County do not come without a price tag for these young adults and their parents. The trip to Columbus will cost about $2,500 per youth and coaches. Henderson County United Way supported the youth judging team with generous donations this year, but more help is needed on travel and registration costs.
Those interested in assisting these 4-H youth with expenses for the congress and other contests should contact Grider at (903) 675-6130.
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