Belt buckles awarded to top winners at horse show

By Sam Waller

The first Shackelford County Horse Show under the auspices of the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association drew 15 participants to Fikes Arena Saturday, May 6.

“It went well,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “I think every kid came away with at least one placing. We gave cash for first through sixth places.”

In the Stock Horse Division, Gage Burton claimed the high point award with Cameron Burton taking reserve honors.

In the English Division, Baigh Bell was high point with Cameron Burton taking reserve.

In the Speed Event Division, Artie Bell was high point in the junior age group with Rainy Nitschke and Ayers Bezner sharing reserve. Madailein Beard was high point in the senior age group.

The winners each received a trophy buckle.

Kelsey Bell said the show was able to avoid the threat of stormy weather.

“We got through it before anything hit,” Bell said. “That morning, it looked like a storm was going to roll through in the afternoon, but it held off.”

Still, Bell said, the event endured oppressive heat.

“Last year at the 4-H show, it was very hot,” she said. “We may look at moving it a little earlier in the spring and try to get it done before it gets so hot.”