Learning and improving
Horse Show provides opportunity for horseman to try new things
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Karla Pomeroy
Washakie County 4-H junior members Dylan Casdorph, Daniel Casdorph and Zane Lentsch gather for a chat while waiting their turn in horsemanship during Friday's Washakie County Fair Horse Show.
WORLAND - Washakie County Fair horse superintendent and 4-H horse leader Jessica Tharp oversaw her second horse show Friday and is excited to see growth in the program and improvement from the members.
"I grew up riding horses and I wanted to see the horse program continue. I like to see the kids learning and improving. The horse show is a lot of fun and we've seen growth in the program from last year," Tharp said.
Tharp, who has two children in the program, added that she hopes to continue to grow the program each year.
"I want to see more kids involved [in the horse program]. It's never too late to start something new and to get involved. We have kids who have never shown anything, some who have only done rodeos. [The horse program] brings all of it together and provides an opportunity for kids to learn something new," Tharp said.
Teaching and watching improvement is also why judge Anna Cunico does what she does. Cunico, who was a horse judge in high school and at the collegiate level at the University of Wyoming, said "I love seeing the kids improvement each year," as well as watching the kids showcase the hard work they put in all year long.
As for what she looks for when judging, she said, "It's important for me to see how the youth and the horse work together as a team." She said she tries to be positive when providing comments on the performances. "I want to keep youth interested in the industry. This is all a learning experience, especially in 4-H," she said.
Following the junior showmanship judging, Cunico reminded the seven competitors that showmanship is the opportunity to display their horses and they need to always keep their chin up as well as the horse's chin. "You need to hold your horse's head high, walk like you're carrying a dinner plate," she said. "And I want to see big smiles. This is supposed to be a fun day. If you're having fun, I'm having fun," Cunico added.
Beckett Tharp, in his first year, earned grand champion junior showman. His reaction, "It's awesome." He said he works with his horse Roxie about four times a week for two hours each time.
He said he wanted to do showmanship this year because he felt Roxie would be good, because they bought her from someone who used to show her.
"I enjoyed it. The judge was nice," Beckett Tharp said, adding that he enjoys showmanship because of the happiness and joy it brings to show his horse.
Sister Natalie Tharp won intermediate grand champion, her third top showmanship title in the horse show in her four years showing. "I like learning new things and I like having the judge look at my horse," Natalie Tharp said.
While she has won several times, Tharp said for her, showmanship is not about who wins or loses, but about having fun.
She said she also likes being an example and a role model for younger 4-H members, including her brother Beckett.
Siobahn Myers won grand champion 4-H senior showman and FFA showman on Friday. She has been competing in showmanship for seven years. "I love how I can improve my own and my horse's abilities," Myers said. She competed with two horses, Wonder and Atticus.
