Students explore world of horses at 4-H show

4-H horse project leaders provide a safe, supportive environment for youth to practice important life skills while they explore the world of horses and ponies.  Those skills include planning, organizing, communicating and relating with others along with learning to learn. All of these skills will assist those youth involved when it comes time for them to make wise decisions as an adult.
The combined Mellette and Jones County 4-H Horse show was held at the White River Arena Wednesday, June 2, 2016. Judge Eris Tanner was on hand to put local horsemen through the paces. In senior western showmanship Trayer Schmidt won top purple honors.  Austin Olson received a blue ribbon and Olathe Schmidt received red ribbon. Junior showman, Wyatt Olson received top purple honors while Tashina Red Hawk earned a blue ribbon.  Beginner showmanship had a great group of competitors Rhone Schmidt earned the top purple ribbon while Hazin Schmidt and Taylor Krogman earned blue ribbons and Kamaria Krogman received a red.  In beginner english showmanship Alethea Kustar won the top purple award.
Equitation:  
Senior stock seat, Austin Olson was awarded a red ribbon while Olathe Schmidt received a white and Trayer Schmidt received a blue.  Junior Stock Seat Top Purple went to Tashina Red Hawk and a red ribbon went to Wyatt Olson.  Beginner showman Rhone Schmidt won the top purple ribbon with first year showman Hazin Schmidt winning a blue ribbon.
Performance: 
Senior Olathe Schmidt received a blue ribbon in reining. A new class, Ranch Riding, has been added for the 2016 show season for 4H youth.  This class evaluates the horse to determine which is best suited for traditional ranch use.  During the class, 4H members compete a pattern that includes gait and speed changes and numerous maneuvers.  Seniors Austin Olson, Olathe Schmidt and Trayer Schmidt all earned purple ribbons.  In the junior class Wyatt Olson received a purple ribbon and Tashina Red Hawk a blue ribbon.  The senior trail class found both senior horsemen Olathe Schmidt and Trayer Schmidt earning purple ribbons.  In beginner trail, Rhone Schmidt and Hazin Schmidt won a purple ribbons as did first year showman Kamaria Krogman.  Taylor Krogman another first year showman navigated the course to a blue ribbon.  
The day closed out with timed events.  Austin Olson earned a blue ribbon in senior barrels. Tashina Red Hawk set the bar high earning a purple ribbon in the junior division. Wyatt Olson also ran purple ribbon pattern in the junior barrels.  In the beginner class, both Taylor Krogman and Kamaria Krogman earned red ribbons.  In pole bending Austin Olson earned a blue ribbon. Both  junior pole benders, Kamaria Krogman and Wyatt Olson received red ribbons.  
Austin Olson earned a purple ribbon in senior breakaway by roping his calf in four seconds.  Trayer Schmidt had a stretch of bad luck and received a no time and a white ribbon.  In the junior breakaway, Wyatt Olson roped his calf fast for a purple ribbon.  Rhone Schmidt had some tough luck and came up with a white ribbon.  
Making sure the show ran smoothly was show secretary’s Angie Kinsley and ring steward Gage, a student of Judge Eris Tanner. Both helped make the day a success. 4-H Advisor Kaycee Jones announced and assisted where needed.