Eight members of the 2017 Rock County 4-H Horse Show qualifying team were named top herdsman at the recent Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show in St. Paul.
Adam Fodness, McKenna Westphal, Joni Vander Beek, Lizzie Chapa, Kallie Chapa, Ayden Bonnett, Kellie VanDerBrink and Kennedy Safar earned the top honors in the large county division Sept. 15-18.
Each county was judged twice daily during the event on how well the 4-H’ers tended to their horses, stalls and equipment areas. Rock County also received the top herdsman award in 2015.
“I am proud of all of the Rock County 4-H horse participants and how they represented Rock County at the state horse show,” said local 4-H program coordinator Chelsey Asche.” Winning the state herdsmanship takes teamwork and dedication. This honor is a testament to the pride our youth have in this project.”
Individually, Fodness earned three Top 10 finishes at the annual event.
He placed ninth in western showmanship, sixth in western pleasure and ninth in western horsemanship at the grade 13 level.
Fodness also served as the county’s grand entry rider.
Westphal competed in grade 11 poles, key race, barrels and jump figure 8.
Vander Beek competed in grade 10 western pleasure, trail, horsemanship, English pleasure and equitation.
Lizzie Chapa did not compete due to an injured horse but qualified for grade 10 western pleasure, horsemanship and trail.
Kallie Chapa placed sixth in grade 9 key race and competed in barrels and jump figure 8 events.
Bonnett finished fourth in grade 7 barrels and competed in key race, poles and jump figure 8.
VanDerBrink earned an eighth-place ribbon in grade 7 jump figure 8 and participated in barrels and key race.
Safar competed in grade 8 western showmanship, western horsemanship and trail.
Gretchen Jacobsma participated in the grade 6-8 horse-related project.