A few years ago, Sydney won eighth place in trail (on a different
pony) at the State horse show. She has also won a Grand Champion
(first place) in Hunter Under Saddle class at the All American Youth
Horse Show (on a different pony).
On Gracie, Sydney has made it to the state show the past
three years. Two years ago they won eighth place in a Hunt Seat
Equitation class. Also two years ago, she won Grand Champion of
her division at a show at Fair Haven Farms in Grove City.
“I love spending time with my horses and showing helps give me
a goal to work toward,” she says. “I have met so many people, gained
so much confidence and learned to never give up.”
Connor, 13, is the son of Jaime and Shawn Smith of Shaler.
At Shaler Area, he is involved in band and Gifted and Talented
Education (GATE). “I play the drums in the Wind Ensemble
and my favorite subjects are math and computers,” notes Connor.
Outside of school, he takes private drum lessons and is a Boy Scout
in addition to showing horses.
“I became interested in showing horses because my sister, Taylor,
has been riding horses since she was 5,” Connor says. “I attended
the horse shows that she was in and I enjoyed being around the
horses and the other members of our 4-H club, the North Ridge
Riders. I have only been riding since last year. So this is my second
show season.”
Connor’s family owns a Quarter Horse named Willow. She is
14 years old. “Willow was a rescue horse,” he explains. “We got her
from Michelle Wilson, a 4-H leader with the Manely Horse Club.”
He also works with a miniature horse named Chip who is 12 years
old and belongs to his 4-H leader, Lynne Ford.
Connor takes weekly riding lessons with Ford on Willow and also
on Chip. His sister also takes lessons on Willow.
“There’s a lot of work when it comes to taking care of horses—we
try to go up to the barn at least four days a week,” Connor explains.
“The horses get fed twice a day. They eat hay and grain. Individual
horses can also have supplements depending on their health needs.
Fresh water needs to be available to the horses at all times. Horses
also need time in the pasture for additional exercise and grass. We
also groom the horses by brushing them and cleaning their feet.
Regular visits from the vet and farrier help with the horse’s overall
health.”
Connor has competed in 4-H horse shows and NAHA shows.
He shows in some of the Trail and Equitation classes with Willow,
and also shows Chip in the Miniature Horse Trail Classes and
Grooming and Showmanship classes. Most of these shows take
place at the North Park Horse Show Ring.
The most recent show Connor took part in was the 4-H District
Horse Show, participating in Grooming and Showmanship
Intermediate with Chip, placing eighth. He also participated in
Therapeutic Grooming and Showmanship, Therapeutic Trail with
Supervision and Therapeutic Equitation with Supervision with
Willow and took second place in those classes. All three were
District-only classes. He also participated in Therapeutic Trail with
Minimum Assistance and Therapeutic Equitation with Minimum
Assistance, placing first in both and enabling him to move on to the
4-H State competition.
“My favorite class to participate in is Trail,” says Connor. “Willow
and I do a lot of trail practice during my lessons. She is a great trail
horse.” This year he also participated in the All-American Youth
Horse Show in Ohio and placed third in EWD Equitation and fifth
in EWD Grooming and Showmanship.
“Working with and showing horses is a lot of fun and also a lot
of work,” he adds. “I think it has taught me about perseverance and
hard work. I set goals for every time I have a lesson or show. The
goals don’t always have to be about winning a ribbon. I often make
them about specific skills Willow, Chip and I are working on at that
time.” n
Sydney Ford
Connor Smith
The show will be held at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
SHALER
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winter 2018
15