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Local equestrian becomes champion

Submitted photo by Eric Hardesty, Excalibur Photography & Advertising Alexus Hartman, center, is pictured with her horse ‘I’m Downright Special,’ or Deon, and riding instructor Twyla Pellman after winning Grand Champion Open Trail Ponies (14.2 hands and under) and Grand Champion English Grooming and Showmanship (Ages 15-18) at the 57th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show, held at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Hartman and Deon also placed in the top five in Low Working Hunter Ponies and Low Equitation Over Fences (Ages 14-18).

McCLURE — They’re downright special — not just because it’s in their name.

Alexus Hartman and her horse, Deon, secured a double grand championship in October at the 57th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show, held at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

The 16-year-old from McClure took her Quarter Horse, appropriately registered under the name “I’m Downright Special,” to the top of the class in Open Trail Ponies and English Grooming and Showmanship.

“As a kid, I was always intrigued by horses,” Hartman said.

As the story often goes, she first took riding lessons, then got a pony of her own. Deon came into the picture later, after her first pony was injured.

“He (Deon) just has a likeable personality,” said Hartman’s mother, Angela.

Alexus connected with Deon almost immediately, and their bond grew stronger from there.

“Her hard work and determination made her want to excel,” said Twyla Pellman, Alexus’ riding instructor who she has been training with since the beginning.

During the height of the show season, Alexus rides four to six days a week. She has remained undefeated at the 4-H county and district levels for four years, Angela said, and Alexus has remained focused on readying for

state competition.

The trail class requires riders on horseback to perform different obstacles they may encounter on a ride outside the arena. Obstacles include a swinging gate, ride-over poles/logs and backing up. Some trail patterns may require riders to carry objects, sidepass, ride over a wooden bridge or n­­egotiate

a mailbox.

The grooming and showmanship class requires horsemen, with a well-groomed and conditioned horse, to perform a variety of maneuvers on foot. Teams are judged on precision, smoothness and confidence.

The competitive year, which begins with countywide competition, advances to a district show and concludes with states.

Alexus said the 4-H state show is one of the more challenging competitions in which she participates. Horses of all ages and breeds are represented, and handlers and riders compete in multiple disciplines. Earning the grand champion title, in not one but two classes, was worth making sacrifices — even forgoing a beach vacation.

As her parents headed off for a week of rest and relaxation during show season, Alexus stocked their live-in horse trailer with groceries and supplies to spend a week camping at Pellman’s barn. She spent every day practicing.

“States is such a big thing to me,” she explained.

Her dedication paid off.

“She takes what I say to heart and applies it to her riding, as well as everyday life,” Pellman said.

In addition to Deon, Alexus worked with two other horses, a 5-year-old Appaloosa named “Just Another Detail,” or Simon, and a 6-year-old miniature horse “Starlakes Atilla the Dun,” or Jacob. Both also competed in state-level competition. In addition to her wins at the state show, she and Simon won grand champion Hunter Horse Gelding at the 2016 PA Junior Horse Championship Show — competition specifically for horses five years old and younger — held in July in Centre Hall.

Being involved with horses keeps Alexus busy and away from the trouble that some teenagers get involved with, Angela said. She and her husband, Kevin, are involved in the hobby too, making it a family affair.

After conquering the 4-H show, Alexus is shifting her focus to Simon and has set a new goal — to prepare for the 2017 World Championship Appaloosa Show in Fort Worth, Texas. The show is set for the end of October.

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