Local youth showcase skills, speed at 4-H Gaming Horse Show

Dozens of local 4-H members, and their horses, took to Dr. Howard Koch Arena at Harris Forest Preserve on Thursday, July 14 for the annual Kendall County 4-H Gaming Horse Show.

The gaming show was the first of two days of exhibition that follow a year of learning and preparation. Later in the week, youth competed in pleasure and showmanship classes.

“The 4-H Gaming Horse Show was moved to Thursday due to storms on Wednesday, and more than 30 4-H youth competed in 10 gaming events,” said Kim Eisnaugle, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator. “Both skills and speed are showcased in these gaming events, and it is amazing to see the youth grow and progress each year.”

The Senior High Point Gaming Champion rider for the day was Faith Thompson of Newark, placing first or second in four of the five classes. Minooka’s Samantha Merrigan was the Reserve Champion High Point Gaming rider for the Senior division. In the Junior division, Kyotee McNeill of Morris was named High Point Gaming Champion with four class champions, and Anna Merrigan of Minooka earned the Reserve Champion honors with first or second place ribbons in four of the five classes. Full results are as follows:

Senior Poles – Samantha Merrigan, first with a time of 23.747; Faith Thompson, second; Rebekah Pinney, third; Myah Hawley, fourth; Grace Ciesielczyk, fifth; and Heather Marz, sixth.

Junior Poles – Kyotee McNeill, first with a time of 24.898; Augie Staudacher, second; Jenna Buss, third; Cody Marko, fourth; Anna Merrigan, fifth; and Audrey Breen, sixth.

Senior Barrels – Kylie Marko, first with a time of 16.842; Samantha Merrigan, second; Molly Breen, third; Rebekah Pinney, fourth; Faith Thompson, fifth; and Heather Marz, sixth.

Junior Barrels – Kyotee McNeill, first with a time of 17.954; Anna Merrigan, second; Audrey Breen, third; Cody Marko, fourth; Saige McNeill, fifth; and Lucy Anderson, sixth.

Senior Flags – Samantha Merrigan, first with a time of 9.248; Faith Thompson, second; Ryane Brady, third; Grace Ciesielczyk, fourth; Molly Breen, fifth; and Kylie Marko, sixth.

Junior Flags – Anna Merrigan, first with a time of 9.176; Audrey Breen, second; Augie Staudacher, third; Lucy Anderson, fourth; Cody Marko, fifth; and Jenna Buss, sixth.

Senior Keyhole – Faith Thompson, first with a time of 10.617; Ryane Brady, second; Samantha Merrigan, third; Kylie Marko, fourth; Rebekah Pinney, fifth; and Myah Hawley, sixth.

Junior Keyhole – Kyotee McNeill, first with a time of 10.609; Anna Merrigan, second; Saige McNeill, third; Jenna Buss, fourth; Augie Staudacher, fifth; and Audrey Breen, sixth.

Senior Texas 8 (new for 2016) – Kylie Marko, first with a time of 8.971; Faith Thompson, second; Myah Hawley, third; Ryane Brady, fourth; Heather Marz, fifth; and Rebekah Pinney, sixth.

Junior Texas 8 – Kyotee McNeill with a time of 9.640; Anna Merrigan, second; Madilynn Wietting, third; Audrey Breen, fourth; Augie Staudacher, fifth; and Saige McNeill, sixth.

Thank you, sponsors

The high-point riders each received a champion buckle, which were sponsored by Roy and Margaret Wackerlin, and Laura Collins of the Kendall County Horse Show Association. Buckles were provided in part by Karen Starks of Western Factory Outlet of Peru.

Additional event sponsors included: Koch Quarter Horses, Shala Farms, and the Kendall County Horse Show Association.

In addition, each youth received buckets from Big R in Morris; free ice cream cones from Culver’s; riding socks from the Riding Store in Woodridge; various goodies in a shopping bag from Valley West Hospital in Sandwich, and sample feed from Heuber and Hubbard Feed in Creston.

Thank you, volunteers

At the July 14 event, Karol and Dean Bundy were honored with 4-H horse pins for all their years of service to the Kendall County 4-H horse program.

“The Bundys have volunteered their time, equipment such as timing lights, and expertise for decades, and we truly appreciate their leadership and generosity,” said Eisnaugle. “Without them and all our volunteers, the Kendall County 4-H horse program would not be as strong as it is today.”

Superintendents, committee members and day-of help included: Jessica Brigel, Ron Brigel, Tammy Brigel, Bonnie Breen, Shane Breen, Dean Bundy, Karol Bundy, Wendy Emma, Deb Granat, Kylie Granat, Lea Ann Koch, AJ Manella, Debbie Murray, Erin Mroz, Shelly Mroz, Tyler Paydon, Leah Rende, Sarah Stewart, Michelle Stiegart, Bruce Wachowski, Elizabeth Wells and families of participants.

Organizers offered their thanks to the Kendall County Forest Preserve District and the Kendall County Horse Show Association for the use of the Howard O. Koch Horse Arena, and to 4-H graduate Rebecca Pinney, Ottawa, who trotted the flag around the arena while Grace Ciesielczyk, Somonauk, sang the National Anthem during the opening ceremony.

During the show, 4-H families provided food and snacks for everyone, and money made on the food items will help pay for the ribbons for the next year’s show.