Team Horse Power Members; Parker Haydt of Lehigh County 2^nd from left in the back row (Photo credits to John Hudson of Hudson Photography)

The 64th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show was held October 24-27 at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. More than 640 youth from over 50 counties participated in 80 performance classes throughout the weekend. There were over 1400 entries shown by youth who qualified for the show.

The State 4-H Horse Show is the final competition of the year for 4-H horse members enrolled in performance horse projects. To be eligible for the show, members must advance through qualifying competitions at county and district levels. Events include showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, pleasure, over fences, driving, western riding, reining, trail, and timed events. Lehigh County 4-H members Payge and Parker Haydt of Walnutport, Lilianna Xander of Kutztown, Beverly Yanek of Zionsville, Ava Schiebel of Kempton exhibited this year. An equestrian with disabilities division for riders with special needs is also included.

All class champions in the show were awarded champion ribbons and custom Wendell August Forge pewter plates, as well as embroidered champion jackets. Reserve champions in each class received a gift certificate donated by Perri’s Leather. Liliana Xander earned 1^st place in Pleasure Horse Driving, 2^nd place in Classic Hunter Under Saddle Horses, and 3^rd place in Open Trail Horses and Low Working Hunter Horses with Urban Legend +++//. Payge Haydt earned 2^nd place in Low Working Hunter Horses and Parker Haydt earned 3^rd place in Pleasure Horse Driving both with Skipa Star Goer. Beverly Yanek earned 7^th place in Bow-Tie Race Ponies with SMC Clear Shot.

Show management and participants appreciated the continued support and generous donations from our Grand Champion sponsor, The Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Reserve Champion Sponsors PW Wood & Son, Inc., Perri’s Leather, and Tory Leather Company. Blue Ribbon Sponsors, C&M Pine Products, Pam Nealer, Penn State Animal Science, the PA 4-H Horse Program Development Committee and Boot Barn. Award Ceremony Sponsors, In Memory of Carolyn Belczyk, In Memory of Ruth and Ralph Clark, Maggie Luciani, Shelly Yeager, Molly McElrath, Kately Reutzel Marquette, Karen Moyer, The Sneizek Family and Karen Grill.

McAllister Outstanding Equine Member Award finalists, including Payge Haydt from Lehigh County were presented halters and leads donated by Tory Leather Company of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and grooming trays provided by C & M Pine Products. Sylvia Decker, from Mifflin County, was recognized as the 2024 4-H Horse Program McAllister Outstanding Equine Member Award.

Pennsylvania 4-H Recreational and Alternative Equine Activities programs include the Hoof Hour Awards recognition. This program promotes alternative activities with horses and sets attainable goals for youth participating in equine activities outside the show ring. Recognition includes awards at the 50 and 100-hour level locally, the 200-hour level from the district, and riders reaching 300 hours of time on a single animal will be recognized with an jacket supplied by their district. Youth reaching 300 hours include, Parker Haydt and Payge Haydt of Lehigh County.

Equine Extension Associates, Adam Guiste and Joe Stanco worked with Team Horse Power members to provide hands-on clinics for youth and adults. Activities at the State 4-H Horse Show included the Ground Roping Contest, where contestants were judged on specific criteria, such as swing and delivery, and the Mop Pony Classic, where contestants had fun competing with their most well-trained mop ponies. Team Horse Power is a leadership program that trains and empowers teens and young adults to develop their individual skills and in turn teach horsemanship skills and mentor youth. Team members work at county, regional and state activities to help youth improve their horsemanship abilities, promote safety, and provide information about 4-H programs. Team Horse Power members were presented medallions in recognition of their achievements and service to the 4-H Horse Program. Team Horse Power members included Parker Haydt from Lehigh County

Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than 6 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Penn State Extension 4-H youth development educators in all 67 counties throughout the commonwealth administer local 4-H programs through non-formal education and outreach. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h.

Information provided to TVL by:
Ingrid Garcia