Horsemanship Kicks off 108th Annual Phillips County Fair

Equine lovers and enthusiasts met Saturday the 29th at the Milk River Pavilion. The 4-H youth came together for the Horse Show, the culmination of another year of work and training. An audience comprised of parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even the family Pastor, came to support the efforts and creativity of those enrolled in the various horse projects. And perform, entertain and impress they did during the 9 a.m. to nearly 7 p.m. day on the bleachers, however, the day seemed to "fly" by. Judging the show for the day was Stephanie McCoy of Miles City.

The Senior Showmanship class set the audience up for some excellence in showing the animal they have worked with, some for several years. Winning the trophy for this category was Kenzie LaBrie, with Karlie LaBrie and Brylee French placing second and third.

The Advanced Juniors category had six entries, and taking the honors were Mackenzie Witmer (trophy), Sadie Lamoreau, and Riya Salveson. Six youth were entered in the competition.

Five youth age eight to ten competed for the title and trophy in the Beginning Junior category. Anna Brown, Landon Fuller, and Lyla Warren were selected following their routines for the first, second and third place honors.

Fourth year of horsemanship and older competed in the Backback Pleasure, and Kenzie LaBrie won the judge's eye and decision; followed by the Beginning honors (first-to-third year members) with Riya Salveson winning over five other horsemen.

The Horsemanship V category had two vying for the title; Steeler Blunt won the Grand Championship and Karlie LaBrie won Reserve Championship. Horsemanship IV was won by Mackenzie Witmer with Sadie Lamoreau winning reserve.

Only one point separated Horsemanship III entrants, and the judge chose Riya Salveson for Grand Champion, with Lyla Warren following, taking Reserve honors. Horsemanship II was another difficult one for the judge, again coming down to one point difference in scoring. Anna Brown took home the Grand Championship trophy just ahead of Reserve Championship winner Hallie Bruckner; Zander Fuller and Kesi Salveson received blue ribbons. For Horsemanship I, skilled youth Tessa Bruckner and Landon Fuller again put the judge to the test, with Tessa winning by one point.

In the Mini Horse category Lyla Warren was the winner.

The Colt to Maturity I Reserve went to Sadie Lamereur; Level III Reserve was presented to Brylee French. Both young ladies made slight errors in the routine that prevented the judge from awarding Grand Champion honors.

Green Horse III Grand Champion was Karlie LaBrie and Reserve Champion winner was Lela Domire. Green Horse IV was awarded to Kenzie LaBrie.

Ranch Horse I Grand Champion honors went to Mackenzie Witmer. Under Ranch Horse II Steeler Blunt took Reserve honors.

Grand Champion in Ranch Horse III went to Karlie LaBrie; Kenzie LaBrie was awarded Reserve. The Trail Class, In Hand winner was Sadie Lamereur.

In the competition for Trail Class, Beginning Junior the winner was Anna Brown; Advanced Junior selection was Zander Fuller, and Trail Class for Senior division was Karlie LaBrie.

Some categories required riding skills, walking through a pattern and backing out, walking through a set of posts with styrofoam noodles, a mock display of water, squaring the horse up in a blocked off area, retrieving mail from a mailbox, picking up and carrying a yellow rain coat and then placing on a barrel, walking the horse over a bridge, and then moving on to stand in a rope circle on the ground. The horse was required to stay inside the circle while the owner walked around it, picked up a hoof and cleaned it. Some roping skills were also required and it was impressive to see the talented young kids confident in these areas. Not all horses were cooperative, there was a couple sets of crow hopping displayed.

Closing out the days performances, the Freestyle entrant competed as a group against each other. Anna Brown shared her trick riding training with the audience and performed a routine she had choreographed to the tune of "Dora," while Lyla Warren selected "Fight Song" for background music for her performance.

Sadie Lamereur performed to "God Bless the USA" and had her horse stand on a round platform with all four feet, and ending with her horse bowing down on one knee. She had a teddy bear riding a festively decorated horse with a US flag painted on its back.

Twin sisters Kenzie and Karlie performed patterns and routine in unison with riding and having long yellow flowing capes and yellow hooves decorated the horses.

Judge McCoy selected Anna Brown as her choice for the competition. In-Hand Freestyle winner was Sadie Lamereur.

The judge made her choice for the Overall Best Horse Project and this award was presented to Mackenzie Witmer.

4-H horse project leaders kept an eye on the entrants throughout the day and come finale time, voted Landen Fuller as the "Most Improved".