4-H riders compete at district show
By Sam Waller
Four Shackelford County 4-H members competed in the District 7 Horse Show last week at San Angelo, with two bringing home prizes.
Madailein Beard placed in all three timed events, finishing second in stakes, third in barrel racing, and sixth in pole bending Tuesday, June 14 at the Spur Arena.
Artie Bell placed fifth in pole bending as well as competing in the other timed events.
Rainy Nitschke also performed in the timed events, while Gage Burton competed in halter and showmanship.
The district show drew between 20 and 30 competitors in each event, according to Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell.
“The competition was age 8 to 18,” she said. “There were no Junior and Senior divisions. They all competed together.”
Bell said the show was the first time Beard had competed on her horse.
“I was very excited for her,” Bell said. “She was so happy, she couldn’t stop smiling.”
Burton was limited to halter classes after his horse suffered an injury in the days leading up to the show.
Bell said she expects more local 4-Hers to compete in future shows.
“I think next year, we’ll have more of the kids who typically do the rodeo type events,” she said. “I wanted to go watch and get a feel for what the contest was like. There were some stock horse classes that our kids can enter, too.”
Competitors from the district show are eligible to enter the State 4-H Horse Show, scheduled for July 24-29 at Bryan.
“All you have to do is enter and show at district in order to be able to enter at state,” Bell said. “Gage was the only one planning to go to the State Horse Show, but I’m not sure now with his horse being hurt.”
Community Service
After setting up seating for the Fort Griffin Fandangle two weeks ago, Shackelford County 4-H will now take it all down on Sunday, June 26.
Following the workday, 4-Hers will be hosted by the Dustin and Jamie Parsons family for a swim party and cookout.
Summer Programs
Shackelford County 4-H will continue Art Club meetings at 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays, while Bell said plans are in the works for a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) camp starting in July. Bell said dates are still being decided for that program.
“It will be kind of a full-day thing offering some fun science and math activities,” she said.
On June 9, the Art Club visited the Old Jail Art Center for a tour and crafts projects, then visited the Courthouse to sketch and take photographs.
“One of the commissioners (Lanham Martin) gave us a tour and took us all the way up underneath the bell,” Bell said. “The county attorney (Rollin Rauschl) did a mock court with the kids. None of that is art-related, but it was still a fun, learning experience.”
