3 Year Old Futurity Winner. Photo courtesy of Willie Gomez Photos.

The 57th Annual Texas State 4-H Horse Show was hosted in Bryan, Texas, at the Brazos County Expo Complex, July 20th – 27th. Over 325 youth from around the state showcased their horses in 40+ classes across multiple disciplines. The Texas State 4-H Horse Show is the capstone event for the 4-H Horse Project and provides 4-H members with the opportunity to compete, earn scholarships, and explore collegiate opportunities.

Horse Specialists, Drs. Jennifer Zoller and Chelsie Huseman, along with numerous county extension agents, volunteers, and supporters, managed the seven-day show. Texas A&M Animal Science graduate students, Elizabeth Ennis and Morgan Moreno and Horse Extension Interns, Estephanie Zermano and Ashley Fuqua, were also heavily involved in the planning and execution of the show.

Special events held at the show included the Saddle Up for College Program Luncheon and Tour, Freestyle Reining, and multiple clinics covering topics of barrel racing, cutting, and stock horse trail. As part of the Saddle Up for College Program, competitors were given the opportunity to tour the Hildebrand Equine Complex and Texas A&M Large Animal Hospital. Residents of the Brazos Valley were invited to come out and watch the Freestyle Reining, an event where competitors choreograph a pattern to music while dressed in costume.

Generous sponsors contributed to the show by providing monetary donations, services, and awards. Corporate and individual sponsors allowed for custom saddles, belt buckles, trophies, as well as many other awards to be given to the champions and reserve champions in each class. Because of the monetary donations from show sponsors, six college scholarships were given to seniors who were champion in their division.

B.F. Yeates, second from left, begins his remarks by showing off his boots featuring the 4-H emblem during a recognition ceremony Friday at the Texas State 4-H Horse Show at the Brazos County Expo Complex. Also pictured is Jennifer Zoller, left, Chelsie Huseman and Julie Owens. Photo courtesy of The Eagle.

To conclude a successful week of horse showing, a recognition ceremony was held to honor B.F. Yeates, a long-time horsemen and former Texas Extension Horse Specialist. Yeates served as a judge at the inaugural horse show at Aggie Arena in the 1960s. Before retirement, he invested decades of passionate and influential work into the 4-H Horse Project along with wife Janet Yeates. Also recognized with appreciation buckles were dedicated show supporters Dr. Mike Martin and Steven Kahla. “This show would not be possible without the investment of people who believe in the impact it makes on youth. We are so grateful for how Dr. Martin and Mr. Kahla have demonstrated that investment through sharing of their time, knowledge, and resources” says Huseman. Brazos County Judge Duane Peters also spoke during the ceremony mentioning his gratitude for Yeates’ commitment to the 4-H Horse Project and mentoring youth in lessons of horsemanship.

The 2020 Texas State 4-H Horse Show will be July 19-25 and hosted at the Brazos County Expo in Bryan, Texas, who won the competitive bid process last summer to host through 2023.

-30-

For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, please contact Kaitlyn Arnold at kaitlyn.arnold@tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.