Union County 4-H Excels at NC State Horse Show

Union County 4-H Horse riders shined brightly at the NC State 4-H Horse Show over the Summer, showcasing their hard work and passion for horsemanship. Competing against some of the best young equestrians across the state, Union County participants delivered outstanding performances across multiple classes.

The NC 4-H Horse Show is an event that ignites the competitive spirit in young equestrians, culminating in a year's worth of dedication and skill development. This event encourages youth to participate in local, qualifying, state, and regional shows.

Beyond competition, the NC 4-H Horse program promotes critical values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, and a love for animals, all while contributing to the growth of the equine industry in the state.

Samantha Taylor: Candace Norman Volunteer Award

Mckenzie Andrews

English Cloverbud Showmanship in Hand	English Cloverbud Equitation
English Cloverbud Pleasure

Ava Blackburn

1st place, Ranch Rail Pleasure (Senior)	1st place, Ranch Horsemanship (Senior)
1st place, Ranch Riding (Senior)	Senior Ranch, High Point (40 Points)
Senior Western, High Points (11 Points)	Reserve, Senior Ranch
2nd place, Horsemanship Medal Class	4th place Western Pleasure (Senior Horse and Pony)
3rd place, Western Horsemanship Senior	4th place Western Show Hack (Senior)
5th place Western Pleasure (Senior)	6th place, Western Showmanship at Halter (Senior)

Megan Cairns

3rd place Ranch Rail Pleasure (Senior)	4th place Senior Costume Class
4th place Ranch Riding (Senior)	4th Overall Rank, Senior Versatility
6th place, Ranch Trail (Senior)	7th place, Ranch Horsemanship (Senior)

Blake Garber

2nd place, Western Show Hack (Senior)	6th place, Stock-Type Halter Geldings
Senior Wester, High Points (5 Points)	9th place, Western Horsemanship Senior
10th place, Western Showmanship at Halter (Senior)

Charlotte Gunter

1st place, Junior Costume Class (8-11 year olds)	4th place, Hunter-Type Mares in Hand
4th place, Rookie Hunter W/T Hunter Hack (Cross Rails)	5th place, Rookie Hunter W/T Equitation on the Flat
5th place, Rookie Hunter W/T Showmanship in Hand	Rookie Hunter Walk/Trot, High Point (10 Points)
9th place, Rookie Hunter W/T Under Saddle

Sadie Hall

Short Stirrup, High Point (24 Points)	1st place, Short Stirrup Hunter Hack
2nd place, Short Stirrup Bridle Path Hack	7th place, Short Stirrup Seat Equitation on the Flat
9th place, Short Stirrup Hunter Under Saddle	9th place, Short Stirrup Showmanship in Hand
10th place, Short Stirrup Working Hunter Over Fences

Camdyn Hall

English Cloverbud Showmanship in Hand	English Cloverbud Equitation
English Cloverbud Pleasure

Adam Matejko

1st place, Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (Senior)	Senior Hunter Horse, High Point (21 Points)
2nd place, Hunter Showmanship in Hand (Senior)	4th place, Bridle Path Hack (Senior)
4th place, Hunter-Type Geldings in Hand	6th place, Hunt Seat Equitation Medal Class
10th place, Hunter under Saddle (Senior)

Aurora Michaud

1st Place, Bridle Path Hack (Senior)	Senior Hunter Horse, High Point (18 Points)
2nd place, Working Hunter Over Fences (JR/SR)	3rd place, Hunter-Type Mares in Hand
4th place, Hunter under Saddle (Senior)	4th place, Low Working Hunter over Fences (JR/SR)
4th place, Hunter Showmanship in Hand (Senior)	5th place, Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (Senior)
5th place, Hunter-Type Geldings in Hand	6th place, Working Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (Jr/Sr)
6th place, Hunter Hack (Senior)	7th place, Low Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (JR/SR)

Molly Kate Moreau

Champion, Junior Hunter Pony	1st place, Hunter-Type Mares in Hand
1st place, Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences- Ponies (Junior)	1st place, Working Pony Hunter Over Fences (Junior)
1st place, Hunter Hack-Ponies (Junior)	1st place, Pony Hunter Under Saddle (Junior)
Junior Hunter Pony, High Point (32 Points	2nd place, Hunter Pony Showmanship in Hand
2nd place, Hunt Seat Equitation on The Flat Ponies (Junior)	3rd place, Bridle Path Hack-Ponies (Junior)

Megan Montgomery

6th place, Hunter-Type Geldings in Hand

Aubrey Porter

1st place, Hunter under Saddle (Senior)	Senior Hunter, Horse, High Point (34 Points)
4th place, Hunter Hack (Senior)	4th place, Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (Senior)
5th place, Working Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (Jr/Sr)	6th place, Bridle Path Hack (Senior)
6th place, Working Hunter Over Fences (JR/SR)	7th place, Hunter-Type Geldings in Hand
7th place, Hunter Showmanship in Hand (Senior)

Rebecca Reid

Senior Hunter Horse, High Point (31 Points)	2nd place, Pleasure Pairs
3rd place, Hunter Showmanship in Hand (Senior)	Rebecca Reid, 3rd place, Hunter Hack (Senior)
5th place, Hunter under Saddle (Senior)	6th place, Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (Senior)
7th place, Working Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (Jr/Sr)	7th place, Working Hunter Over Fences (JR/SR)
7th place, Bridle Path Hack (Senior)	10th place, Hunter-Type Geldings in Hand

Zenobia Sadler

1st place, Hunter Hack (Junior)	Junior Hunter Horse, High Point (30 points)
Reserve, Junior Hunter	2nd place Low Working Hunter over Fences (JR/SR)
2nd place Hunt Seat Equitation on The Flat (Junior)	2nd place, Hunter Under Saddle (Junior)
4th place, Hunter Pony Showmanship in Hand (Junior)	4th place, Bridle Path Hack (Junior)
9th place, Hunter-Type Geldings in Hand	9th place, Low Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (JR/SR)

Miranda Shepardson

Junior Hunter Horse, High Point (28 points)	2nd place, Bridle Path Hack (Junior)
2nd place, Hunter Pony Showmanship in Hand (Junior)	3rd place, Hunter Under Saddle (Junior)
4th place, Hunt Seat Equitation on The Flat (Junior)	5th place, Low Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (JR/SR)
5th place, Hunter Hack (Junior)	5th place, Low Working Hunter over Fences (JR/SR)

Ava Shiflett

Senior Hunter Horse, High Point (16 Points)	6th place, Low Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (JR/SR)
7th place, Hunter under Saddle (Senior)	7th place, Low Working Hunter over Fences (JR/SR)
7th Overall Rank, Senior Versatility	7th place, Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (Senior)
9th place, Bridle Path Hack (Senior)	10th place, Hunter Hack (Senior)

Shelby Taylor

1st place, Working Hunter Over Fences (JR/SR)	1st place, Hunter Under Saddle (Junior)
1st place, Hunt Seat Equitation on The Flat (Junior)	Junior Hunter Horse, High Point (35 points)
Champion, Junior Hunter	3rd place, Hunt Seat Equitation Medal Class
3rd place, Hunter Hack (Junior)	3rd place, Hunter-Type Geldings in Hand
3rd place, Bridle Path Hack (Junior)	4th place Working Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (Jr/Sr)
6th place, Hunter Pony Showmanship in Hand (Junior)

Addison Taylor

1st place, Hunter-Type Geldings in Hand	1st place, Low Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (JR/SR)
1st place, Low Working Hunter over Fences (JR/SR)	1st place, Hunt Seat Equitation Medal Class
1st place, Pleasure Pairs	Senior Hunter Horse, High Point (26 Points)
Senior Hunter Horse, High Point (21 Points)	2nd place, Working Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (Jr/Sr)
3rd place, Working Hunter Over Fences (JR/SR)	3rd place, Bridle Path Hack (Senior)
8th place, Hunter Hack (Senior)	8th place, Hunter under Saddle (Senior)
10th place, Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (Senior)	10th place, Hunter Showmanship in Hand (Senior)

Gabriel Vagner

Senior Ranch, High Point (9 Points)	Stock Type Hunter, High Point (14 Points)
4th place, Ranch Horsemanship (Senior)	5th place, Senior Costume Class
7th place, Stock-Type Hunter Showmanship in Hand	9th place, Stock-Type Hunter Under Saddle
9th place, Ranch Riding (Senior)

Cassandra White

Stock Type Hunter, High Point (14 Points)	Senior Wester, High Points (15 Points
1st Place, Western Pleasure (Senior Horse and Pony)	1st place, Stock-Type Hunter Under Saddle
2nd place Western Trail Senior	2nd place, Western Pleasure (Senior)
4th place, Stock-Type Hunter Showmanship in Hand	4th place, Stock-Type Hunter Show Hack
5th place, Stock-Type Hunter Seat Equitation	5th place, Western Showmanship at Halter (Senior)
5th place, Western Horsemanship Senior	8th place, Western Show Hack (Senior)

Macy Zelch

Senior Hunter Horse, High Point (32 Points)	3rd place, Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (Senior)
5th place, Hunter Showmanship in Hand (Senior)	5th place, Working Hunter Over Fences (JR/SR)
5th place, Bridle Path Hack (Senior)	5th place, Hunter Hack (Senior)
6th place, Hunter under Saddle (Senior)	8th place, Working Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences (Jr/Sr)

As the dust settles from the NC State 4-H Horse Show, Union County's equestrian community reflects on a memorable and successful event. Our riders' impressive performances are a testament to their hard work, the support of their families, and the guidance of their 4-H leaders.

These achievements not only celebrate their talents but also highlight the strength and spirit of Union County's 4-H program. We are excited to build on this success, continuing to foster a love for horses and horsemanship among our youth. Congratulations to all our participants and their families for their dedication and outstanding accomplishments.