Clearwater youths claim state horse show titles

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The Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo was held in Grand Island July 15 through 19. There were 245 exhibitors, 384 horses, 1,333 entries representing more than 50 Nebraska Counties.

Two Clearwater youths returned home with championships.

Gabby Ahlers and her horse, Mr. Grey Asset, placed in the top spot in elementary western pleasure.

Cooper Mueller, riding Cockadoodlemoo, earned the championship in aged halter geldings.

The expo is the pinnacle showing experience for members of the 4-H horse program in Nebraska. The show includes a multitude of classes for youth ages 10 to 18 and their horses and ponies.

Classes for youths in Horsemanship Level 1 include halter and showmanship, along with judging and hippology competitions.

Most classes require the youth to have passed horsemanship level 2, while some classes require horsemanship level 2, 3 and 4.

Each level requires the youth to have passed knowledge and safety tests, along with presenting demonstrations and written tests. Classes included are: halter and showmanship are halter, western pleasure and horsemanship, trail, ranch pleasure and ranch riding, English and western dressage.

English classes included are hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation and hunter hack.

Other classes include western riding, reining, working ranch horse, pole bending and barrel racing.