Monmouth County Kids Place In 4-H State Horse Show

COLTS NECK, NJ — Fifteen local tweens and teens who are members of the Monmouth County 4-H horse club represented at the New Jersey State 4-H Championship Horse Show, held this past weekend Aug. 23-25 at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown.

State 4-H Horse Show participants include Sarah Donnelly, of Hazlet; Rachel Funk, of Howell; Amalia Goushy, Atlantic Highlands; Juliet Kelly, Millstone; Ava Matuza, Jackson; Sarah Mullen, Howell; Sophia Ramos, Howell; Gianna Givera, Howell; Avery Ryan, Howell; Olive Scaff, Cream Ridge; Kiera Sievewright, Freehold; Gianna Tanzi, Howell; Jacqueline Tanzi, Howell; Delaney Wiggins, Howell and Tierney Wiggins, Howell.

To compete in the State 4-H Championship Horse Show, 4-H members had to first qualify with their horse by riding in a series of qualifying shows on the County level. The top two scoring riders in each class were then eligible to take part in the State event.

“The Monmouth County 4-H horse club members have a tradition of demonstrating wonderful horsemanship and passion for their mounts at the three-day State competition,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County 4-H Association. “Many, if not all of these members, discovered their love for horses and horseback riding here in the County. On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, I wish the 4-H horse club members the best of luck and encourage those competing to meet other 4-H horse project members from around the State.”

4-H members from throughout New Jersey with more than 175 horse and rider combinations competed in Ranch Horse Classes and the English, Western, Dressage, Trail, Very Small Equine, Games and Therapeutic/Challenged Rider Divisions.

“It took a lot of hard work and dedication for these young people to qualify for the State 4-H Horse Show,” said Matthew Newman, Monmouth County 4-H Agent. “All of us in Monmouth 4-H are proud of them.”

For more information about the Monmouth County 4-H Program, call the 4-H office at 732-431-7260 ext. 7264 or visit the New Jersey 4-H website at www.nj4h.rutgers.edu.