Big Scholarships at the Texas State 4-H Show

A&M AgriLife Extension hosted the 59th Annual Texas State 4-H Horse Show at the Brazos County Expo, July 24-30. Over 350 4-H youth plus their families attended the show from all over the state of Texas. The Texas State 4-H Horse Show is the pinnacle of the 4-H horse project and offers many opportunities to 4-H youth including up to 40 classes of competition, educational programs, scholarships, and college preparation opportunities. County extension agents, volunteers, and supporters also assisted in managing the seven-day show.

Maci Finley Over Fences Senior

The State 4-H Horse show is supported by sponsors and donors who generously share their resources including monetary donations, services, and awards. Six custom trophy saddles, over 160 custom belt buckles, four bronze trophies, plus many other awards are given out! Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, the State 4-H Horse Show also Laci Heiner awards division scholarships. The program offered $6,000 Hunter Flat Senior scholarships for college to the highest placing senior in each of the six major divisions. This year’s recipients were Garrett Reed (Roping), Kelsey Drane (Judged Western), Maci Finley (Over Fences), Taylor-Marie Zamora (Hunter Flat), Paden Jarosz (Stock Horse) and Fawn Schott (Speed).

Other scholarship opportunities included an incentive program designed and sponsored by Hi Pro Feeds and Kentucky Equine Research (KER) to award scholarships to highest placing 4-H competitors in specific divisions.

Another great scholarship awarded is the Janet and BF Yeates Futurity Horseman Award. This scholarship is awarded to the highest placing 3-year-old futurity horse that was also shown as a yearling and a 2-year-old. This year’s recipient of the $1,000 scholarship was Kolton Wink.

Laci Heiner Hunter Flat Senior

Another $6,000 in scholarships was awarded to the highest placing TQHA members in each division who showed an AQHA registered horse. The recipients of the TQHA Scholarships were Garrett Reed (Roping), McKenzie Duggin (Judged Western), Maci Finley (Over Fences), Laci Heiner (Hunter Flat), Ashley Wortham (Stock Horse) and Samantha Doran (Speed).

All total $13,000 was awarded during State 4-H (not including the Hi-Pro Feeds/KER Scholarships). Plans are already underway for the 2022 Texas State 4-H Show. 🎠

Senior Champions

•Roping: Garrett Reed; Res: James Colvin, III

•Hunter Flat: Laci Heiner; Res: Karli Rayburn

•Judged Western: Karli Rayburn; Res: McKenzie Duggin

•Over Fences: Maci Finley; Res: AJ Kendrick

•Speed: Georgia Ray; Res: Renee Maspero

•Stock Horseman: Ashley Wortham; Res: Addison Gomez

Aubrey Alvarado Junior Judged Western & HP APHA

Junior Champions

•Roping: Rowdy Quattlebaum; Res:: Cole David Wood

•Hunter Flat: Emma Wenzel; Res: Awbrey Alvarado

•Judged Western: Awbrey Alvarado; Res: Lily Bolen

•Over Fences: Allison Heiner; Res: Tava Hazel

•Speed: Jacie Stanley; Res: Naomi Brander

•Stock Horseman: Charylet Lee; Res: Cooper Campbell

Brazos Valley Faith Riders White Quad Team members Kolbie Shirley and Michaela Dunn pause for a moment before performing "The Showman" at the Texas State 4-H Show.

Courtesy Brazos County Faith Riders