Grant County 4-H Members Excel At State Horse Show

Claire Mischel

Cassidy Schwagel earned a first place finish in junior trail and was fifth overall in junior western showmanship at the South Dakota State 4-H Horse Show July 18-21 at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron. Nine youth from the Grant County 4-H program competed. Brooke Schwagel,

Brooke Schwagel

Marion and Claire Mischel, Kynlee Speidel, Abigail Paczkowski, Shane and Crystal Spiering, and Bailey Storm also earned ribbons in their respective events.

“The purpose of the 4-H horse program is to help 4-H members experience the pride and responsibility of having an equine, learn about its care and management, and gain skills in horsemanship,” explained Sara Koepke, Grant County 4-H Advisor. Throughout the four-day show, many events and horse classes took place. “Youth can participate in showmanship, equitation, performance, timed, and youth-in-action events,” said Koepke.

“Showmanship classes showcase exhibitors discipline and precision. The exhibitor is to show the horse at halter to its best advantage with minimal attention drawn to themselves.”

Cassidy Schwagel

Exhibitors in performance and equitation classes are judged on basic riding position in saddle, use of hands, legs, and feet to execute maneuvers correctly. Timed events are based on properly completing the pattern with a quick time.

Complete results for the Grant County 4-Her’s:
Cassidy Schwagel – junior English showmanship, purple; junior western showmanship, purple and 5th place overall; junior stock seat equitation, red; junior hunt seat equitation, blue; junior trail, purple and 1st place overall.
Brooke Schwagel – beginner western showmanship, white; beginner stock seat equitation, blue; junior barrel racing, red; junior pole bending, blue; beginner flag racing, white.
Marion Mischel – junior western showmanship, purple; junior English showmanship, red; junior stock seat equitation, blue.

Marion Mischel

Claire Mischel – senior western showmanship, blue; senior stock seat equitation, red; senior hunt seat equitation, blue; senior ranch riding, red.
Kynlee Speidel – beginner stock seat equitation, blue; junior pony barrel racing, blue; junior pony pole bending, blue; beginner flag racing, blue.
Abigail Paczkowski – beginner stock seat equitation, red; junior pony barrel racing, blue; beginner flag racing, blue.
Shane Spiering – beginner stock seat equitation, red.

Crystal Spiering – senior stock seat equitation, white.
Bailey Storm – senior barrel racing, white; senior pole bending, blue.