After a string of strong storms and heavy rain across Middle Tennessee, the weather couldn't have been better to kick off the week-long 4-H State Horse Show held in June at the National Walking Horse Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Collette Russell traveled with her coaches, Leila and Sam Hilliard of Bull Run Ranch and Jeffery Oaks of Knoxville, and two horses, Darling and Dixie, to represent Union County 4-H at the big event.
The group made the 200-plus-mile trek from Luttrell to Shelbyville to set up their show stalls and settle in for a week of competition. They and other 4-H members from across the state made good use of the sprawling 105-acre facility with its 45 barns and ample warm-up areas.
A steady stream of young men and women, along with their horses and ponies, could be seen coming and going throughout the complex each day, winding their way through the rows of barns, brushing and braiding manes and polishing boots, making their way from one class to the next, taking last-minute instructions from their coaches in the warm-up arena, and eagerly awaiting the placings of each class to be called over the PA system.
The competition itself was held in the 125,000-square foot Cooper Steel Arena, which seats 7,000.
Collette entered several classes in the Roger Elder Ranch Division, named for beloved long-time 4-H advocate and horseman Roger Elder of Elder’s Last Lap Ranch in Maryville, Tennessee, who passed in 2021. She won first place Grand Champion in Ranch Conformation – Junior Mare division. She also earned 7th place in Senior Ranch Riding, 9th place in Senior Ranch Showmanship, and 10th place in Senior Ranch Horsemanship, beating out several other competitors to place in the top rankings in these large classes.
Later in the week, when the English riding classes were held, Collette came away with 1st place Grand Champion in Senior Hunter Under Saddle and 2nd place Reserve Champion in Senior Hunt Seat Equitation on the flat. She also earned 1st place Grand Champion in Senior Hunter Hack, 5th place in Hunter in Hand – Senior Mare division, and 7th place in Senior Hunter Showmanship. A very impressive showing for the rising senior.
Newly appointed 4-H Agent Ann Ramsey was pleased to be in attendance on Tuesday and watch the competition first-hand. Coaches Leila and Jeffery both commented on how hard Collette had worked and how excited they all were for her to be able to compete at this level. She has plans to keep training and return again next year as a senior. Her success this time around may also spark some interest in barn mates, friends and others to join her in building a larger Union County team.
Of course, all 4-H Club members in grades 4th through 12th may compete in horse events. Generally, to qualify for the State 4-H Horse Show, they first compete at the Eastern Region Show (held this year in Rockwood, Tennessee, at the end of May). But there are several horse-related 4-H competitions year-round, including Horse Bowl, Hippology, Horse Judging, and Communications contests.
Some of these events don’t require participants to have their own horse, making it a great way for youth interested in horses or just starting out in their equestrian careers to learn about them.
Those youth who choose to concentrate on these events throughout their 4-H career are eligible to apply for the Tennessee 4-H Horse Program Scholarship, which is a post-secondary award available to students in their senior year of high school.
For more information on any of these programs, please contact the UT/TSU Union County Extension Office at (865) 992-8038.