4-H Horse Show

Though it doesn't garner as big a crowd as the demolition derby or rodeo events, the first event of the Phillips County Fair is already in the books.

The annual 4-H Horse Show was held at the Milk River Pavilion last Saturday with about 50 in attendance.

Awards were given to a majority of 4-H participants that day as they showed their skills to Judge Melody Bilden from Joliet, Mont. and all that were in attendance.

Grand Champion winners for Horsemanship: Gracie Anderson received the award in Miniature Horsemanship in Level One and Two. Brylee French in Horsemanship Level Three. Kari Koss in Ranch Horse Level Three. Sidney Meeks in Ranch Horse Level Three. Arena Neibur in Horsemanship Level Two. Blake Ozark in Horsemanship Level One. Danie Rhodes in Green Horse Level Two and Horsemanship Level Six. Brett Wiebe in Yearling. Aidan Wiese in Three Year Old.

Kayden Green was selected by the judge as Best Overall Horse Project. Kenzie LaBrie was selected by the leaders as the Most Improved Horse Member.

Among the winners was Rocky Road 4-H Club's Blake Ozark, a nine-year-old, who was awarded Grand Champion in Horsemanship Level One.

"Practice," Ozark said when asked about how she was able to do so well. "I practice a half-hour to an hour every day."

She and her horse, Joaquin, an eight-year-old quarter horse, showed complete control throughout their run in Level One Horsemanship, so she shared a few commands that she had used.

The first motion was getting her horse from a walk to a trot.

"Kicking it," said Ozark, who has been riding horses since she was one. "I have spurs on."

To get a horse to stop requires a pull back on the reigns.

To get Joaquin to go in reverse, things get a little more technical.

"Get the reign and pull on one side," Ozark said.

Ozark seemed proud that she will now take Joaquin to the Phillips County Fair in front of a large crowd during this upcoming weekend.

"Now I will have to take him to the fair because I won in showmanship," Ozark said.

Ozark will also be showing her pig John Wayne during the PC Fair.