HARRISBURG — The 64th annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show was held Oct. 24-27 at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. More than 640 youth from more than 50 counties participated in 80 performance classes throughout the weekend. There were more than 1,400 entries shown by youth who qualified for the show.

The State 4-H Horse Show is the final competition of the year for 4-H horse members enrolled in performance horse projects. To be eligible for the show, members must advance through qualifying competitions at county and district levels. Events include showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, pleasure, over fences, driving, western riding, reining, trail and timed events. An equestrian with disabilities division for riders with special needs is also included.

Sylvia Decker, from Mifflin County, was recognized as the 2024 4-H Horse Program McAllister Outstanding Equine Member Award. Decker has been a 4-H member for 11 years in the Sunset Riders Horse and Pony Club, embodying dedication, leadership and passion for the equine world. Throughout her 4-H journey, she has actively participated in a wide range of horse projects, successfully competing at the county, district and state levels across various events. Her commitment to excellence is evident not only in her personal achievements but also in her contributions to her club and community.

“I am grateful for the incredible experiences I’ve had through 4-H,” Decker said. “While I am sad that this will be my final year, I feel well-prepared for the future. The skills and opportunities that 4-H provided, especially those that challenged me to go beyond my limits, are ones I could only have dreamed of without it.”

Several youth received certificates and awards from their districts for passing Level 3 of the Horsemanship Skills Program. The 4-H members recognized for passing Level 3 include: Adele Hohn, Mia Karenbauer, Maci Boulanger, and Jessica Cornell from Butler County, Evan Dubbs — Clinton County, Kaitlynn Lebo — Westmoreland County, Julia DiNapoli — Northampton County, Bella Moore Lehman — Northumberland County, Machaella Knelly — Columbia County, Sylvia Decker and Barry Decker — Mifflin County and Trenton Mosier — Elk County.

Members of the 4-H Horse Program Development Committee provided custom belt buckles to 4-H members mastering Level 4 of the Horsemanship Skills Program. This year’s level 4 Horsemanship Skills awardees are Maci Boulanger, Mia Karenbauer, Adele Hohn and Jessica Cornell from Butler County; Machaella Knelly from Columbia County, Bella Moore Lehman from Northumberland County and Sylvia Decker, Barry Decker and Julia Dillon from Mifflin County.

Pennsylvania 4-H Recreational and Alternative Equine Activities programs include the Hoof Hour Awards recognition. This program promotes alternative activities with horses and sets attainable goals for youth participating in equine activities outside the show ring. Recognition includes awards at the 50 and 100-hour level locally, the 200-hour level from the district, and riders reaching 300 hours of time on a single animal will be recognized with an award supplied by their district. Youth reaching 300 hours include Poppy Goble from Huntingdon County,

Team Horse Power members were presented medallions in recognition of their achievements and service to the 4-H Horse Program. Team Horse Power members include Sylvia Decker, Julia Dillon and Nyah Shirk from Mifflin County, and Savannah Sowers and Teeya Albright from Centre County.

The 4-H Horse Program Development Committee has been awarding scholarships for the outstanding Team Horse Power members since 2015. Participation and evaluations throughout the year were considered, when applications were reviewed, along with a horsemanship knowledge evaluation. The 2024 scholarship winners were Savannah Sowers from Mifflin County and Helayna Hollobaugh from Elk County.

A banner was awarded to the overall grand champion in the category of Good Housekeeping. This year’s recipient of the Grand Champion award was Monroe County.

The Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Safety Awards program promotes safety by recognizing the efforts of youth and adults in creating and delivering equine safety programs. This program highlights the leadership of 4-H in safety education and accident prevention. This year’s 4-H Horse Safety Award went to Annabelle Ewing from Huntingdon County.

Equine skillathon contests opportunities were available for youth again this year and scholarships were generously donated by the PA Paint Horse Club for places 1-3 in each age division. Over 100 youth put their equine science knowledge to the test. In the Junior Division, the champion was Lyla Rankin, Lycoming County; reserve was Annabelle Ewing, Huntingdon County; third place was Olivia Scanlon, Allegheny

County.