4-H Announces State Winnings and Fall Open Horse Show

COURT HOUSE — Congratulations to members of the Cape May County 4-H Horse Program who recently competed at the 2013 NJ State 4-H Championship Horse Show held Aug. 23-25 at the New Jersey Horse Park, in Englishtown. Their winnings include the NJ State 4-H Grand Championship in the English Division.
2013 4-H Senior Equestrian of the Year Victoria Speece, of Villas, represented Cape May County in the NJ State 4-H Equestrian of the Year Contest in Monmouth County on Aug. 17. She was recognized along with contestants from other counties at state horse show opening ceremonies on Aug. 23.
Abby and Rebecca Thompson, of Green Greek, competed in the Gymkhana Division. Abby earned a 7th place in the state in Pony Pole Bending, 8th in Pony Bow Tie, 10th in Pony Key Hole and 8th in Pony Barrels. Rebecca won 4th place in Pole Bending, 6th in Bow Tie, 6th in Key Hole and 6th in Barrels, all in the horse division.
Bringing home the state grand championship in the English Division were Annabella Halbruner, Ocean View; Kelly Suter, Cape May and Katie Hess, Rio Grande. Annabella earned a 9th place in Jr. English Showmanship & Grooming, 8th in Jr. English Pleasure Horse and 10th in Jr. Equitation on the Flat. Kelly Suter won Grand Championships in both English Halter and Senior Hunter Under Saddle. She also earned a 5th place in Sr. Equitation on the Flat and a 3rd in Hunter Hack Horse. Katie Hess won a Grand Championship in Handy Working Hunter Pony and two Reserve Championships in Working Hunter Pony and Senior Equitation Over Fences. She also placed 6th in Pony Hunter Under Saddle, 4th in Sr. Equitation on the Flat and 4th in Pony Hunter Hack.
The 4-H Western Division Team of Kristina Burnell, Seaville, and Emily Musick, Cape May Court House, shone as well. Kristina won the Grand Championship in Senior Western Showmanship and Grooming. Emily placed 8th in Sr. Western Showmanship & Grooming, 5th in Sr. Western Pleasure, 5th in Sr. Western Horsemanship and 7th in Sr. Western Trail.
To compete in the state horse show, 4-H members must qualify with their horse by riding in qualifying shows on the county level. The top two scoring riders in each class are then eligible to take part in the state event.
For more information on the 4-H horse program and many other 4-H opportunities for youth in Cape May County, attend the 4-H Open House scheduled for Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center, located on the 4-H Fairgrounds at 355 Court House-S. Dennis Rd. in Cape May Court House.
The Cape May County 4-H Horse Council welcomes riders to the Fall Open Horse Show on Sept. 22, beginning at 8:00 a.m. There are horse show divisions for all riding levels, including leadline and future 4-Her classes for riders 3rd grade and under. Ribbons will be given in all classes with prizes for first place and division winners. All riders are required to wear a safety helmet and provide their own horses.
The horse show entry fee is $35.00 per day or $10.00 per class if preregistered with payment by Sept. 20 and $45.00 per day or $13.00 per class on the day of the show. Proceeds from the horse show will be used to fund 4-H equine educational activities.
The show takes place at the County 4-H Fairgrounds, on Courthouse-South Dennis Road, in Cape May Court House. The public is invited to attend this day of family fun and display of equestrian skill. A rain date of Sept. 29 has been set in case of inclement weather.
For additional information and entry forms, contact the 4-H office at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County, (609) 465-5115, ext. 605. Horse show entry forms are also available at the extension office, located at 355 Courthouse-South Dennis Road.
The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. For more information, check out the 4-H Foundation website at cmc4h.com.