Curtis Claims 4-H horse show titles

Christen Curtis does not remember a time when horses haven't been part of her life.

The Royal native said participating in the Antelope County 4-H horse show has always been "a family thing."

"My sister, Cassidy, did it. My dad did it when he was young. He started my sister in it."

The senior-to-be at Creighton Public Schools said once all the Curtis kids were old enough to ride in the competition, they loaded the horses and gear and the show became part of the family's routine.

"My sister helps me out a lot. It's just something fun we can do together," Curtis said.

A member of the Way Out West 4-H club, Curtis started her 4-H journey when she turned eight years old. In the beginning, she also showed calves, but now concentrates on horse events.

In June, Curtis participated in the district 4-H horse show in Burwell, qualifying for the state show, held in July, in Grand Island.

To qualify for state, competitors must earn at least a blue ribbon to advance.

Curtis has qualified "either 10 or 11 times" for the state competition.

At the state show, Curtis competed in showmanship, horsemanship and western pleasure. This year, she and her horse, Suddenly N Overtime, finished third in senior showmanship and eighth in senior western pleasure.

At the local level, she competes in all events.

Her favorite: showmanship.

"My horse, Wiley, is really good at it. I basically just have to go run through the pattern with him and he knows it himself. It's just fun," she said.

Curtis works with her horses three to four times a week. For 45 minutes to an hour each time.

"Sometimes I lunge him if he's really fresh and worked up, so I put him on a lead rope and let him run for a bit."

Then she runs horsemanship patterns and basic pleasure routines.

What makes competing in the Antelope County Fair special?

"I like that it's smaller. You know everyone and the families, so it's fun to get together," Curtis said. "We have good competition here."