The eight-member Rock County delegation to the Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show earned champion herdsmanship honors during the Sept. 17-21 event.
Competing in the large county category, Rock County was one of 27 counties competing in the finals with a perfect 500 score, according to Tim Bonham, who coordinates the herdsmanship program.
To break ties for the perfect score, random inspections are conducted to see how each county keeps stalls mucked, horses watered and their tack area clean. Last year Rock County earned an honorable mention herdsmanship award.
Members of the Rock County delegation include Meranda Fick, Andrea Severtson, Adam Fodness, Thea Richards, Grace Homer, Lizzie Chapa, Joni Vander Beek and Kallie Chapa.
Each 4-H’er competed in western performance classes or in the gaming events.
Annaliese Braucht participated in the horse-related project event.
The following participants earned Top 10 finishes in the performance events:
Thea Richards, fourth, Level 3 training.
Grace Homer, second, pony western pleasure.
Lizzie Chapa, sixth, eighth-grade showmanship; seventh eighth-grade western pleasure.
Two participants earned top ten finishes in the gaming classes:
Andrea Severtson, second in 12th grade keyhole; seventh, 12th grade barrels and eighth, 12th grade jump figure 8.
Adam Fodness finished sixth in 11th grade keyhole. Fodness was also the event’s grand entry rider.