Thompson Arena at Fonner Park was bustling with activity Tuesday as 4-H'ers prepared for a number of different competitions at the State 4-H Horse Show, including English pleasure, western pleasure and horsemanship.
Each competition requires a unique set of skills that reflect the abilities of both the rider and the horse, said Bruce Treffer, Dawson County Extension educator.
"It's the fact that it is judged on the rider and the rider's ability to have trained that horse," Treffer said about the horsemanship competition, of which he is superintendent. "They do some things in here (the ring) that they don't do in the pleasure classes. They have to do a pattern and within that pattern a lot of times they put a four-hand turn or a pivot where the rider has to control the rib and rear end of the horse with their legs, and they have to have really good hands and a good seat to get all these things accomplished."
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He said a rider could ask the horse for an extended trot, then break down into a walk, back into a lope and simple changes of leads.
"There could be a lot of different elements to a pattern that requires good skill levels and horsemanship and hopefully the kids have done a lot of that work in preparation," Treffer said.
He said the competition involves a lot of different elements that take hours of practice between the rider and their horse.
While the pleasure classes require skill and a lot of practice, horsemanship is unique among the various competitions this week at the State 4-H Horse Show, he said.
"It's the ability to ride," Treffer said. "That's what horsemanship means. There are a lot of things at this show that are not just the horse."
The bottom line, he said, is that an essential part of 4-H is teaching kids important skills that provide valuable training as young people transition into adults.
"There is a lot of patience learned and stick-to-itiveness to get some of these things done," he said. "There are a lot of life skills that can be learned through a horse."
Treffer has been an extension educator for 34 years. He said he has been working with horses since "I was old enough to ride."
And for many of the 4-H'ers at the state level competition, they probably can say the same thing about their "saddle time."
One thing that hasn't changed for Treffer is his reaction when a young rider and horse connect and work together as a team.
"I really appreciate that. I like the kids who are out here doing their own work and growing every year. I like to watch them on how they improve. I can also really appreciate the sportsmanship that the kids show to each other."
While Treffer has been to his share of state competitions during his 34 years as an extension educator and superintendent, this year is special as his 12-year-old daughter, Leah, is competing in her first state show.
"It is something I have never had to deal with in my 34 years," he said.
Sydney Scow, 15, of Firth is in state competition for the third time.
On Tuesday, Scow was entered in western pleasure riding and horsemanship. She was waiting with her horse, Tiger, to compete in the western pleasure competition. Inside the Thompson Arena show ring, the English pleasure competition was going on.
"In English pleasure, there's a faster gait and your horse will move out more," she said. "In western pleasure, it is slower with no pattern and a different tack. You have a western saddle instead of English saddle and bridle."
But, Scow said, with pleasure riding it takes a lot of skills and patience when working with your horse.
Still, western pleasure riding has its advantages for Scow.
"I don't like sitting up as straight as you have to in English pleasure," she said. "I like to focus on the horse and go slower. In horsemanship, you are going to move your horse out a tad bit faster because it looks a little more crisp in a pattern instead of going slow on the rail. Western pleasure is a little bit more relaxed."
With horsemanship, Scow said, "It will help you ride better more than anything because you learn how to sit, learn where your legs should be and your posture is so much more neater. It makes you a better rider."
She said competing in the State 4-H Horse Show has helped her become a better rider as each competition has its own unique disciplines.
"I also like roping for a little change-up," she said.
Jascy Christensen, 16, of Columbus is competing in her second State 4-H Horse Show with her horse, Eli. She was preparing to compete in the senior division of the English pleasure riding competition.
"I like English a little better because their stride really gets pushed out there, and it looks really pretty," Christensen said. "I really don't have the patience for the slower pace that Western takes."
Along with the aesthetics that English pleasure provides between rider and horse, she also likes the English-style outfit and the English saddle and bridle.
"It is a little harder to keep your balance, but it is lighter," Christensen said.
