4-H Expo Horse Show provides life lessons

By SCOTT NILES Courier staff writer

July 16, 2008 10:40 am

— OTTUMWA — The Wapello County 4-H Expo Horse Show is more than just an event; it offers life lessons.
The event was held on Tuesday at the Bob Stewart Horse Arena in the Ottumwa Park featuring 20 participants with nearly 45 different horses.
The winning youth were awarded ribbons, trophies and some premium money, but Event Coordinator Cathy Angle said the event is more focused on teaching the kids responsibility and how to achieve success.
“A lot of these kids have been in the 4-H horse show for several years with their family horses,” she said.
Angle said these young people learn valuable lessons when training their horses.
“They learn discipline, patience and how to deal with an animal that doesn’t know anything,” she said. “Most kids spend time training each day with their horse if they are doing it like they should.”
Tara Craver of Bloomfield has had plenty of experience inside the horse arena. She has been participating in shows since she was a Clover kid in third grade.
Since then she has taken the time training mainly two horses, Cisco and Bailey.
“Those are the two I show every year,” Craver said.
She said the biggest lesson to learn is patience when it comes to training a horse.
“Horses are like little kids. If they don’t want to do something they will throw a fit and you have to know how to handle that,” Craver said.
But the majestic animals have become her friends.
“The easiest thing is probably getting along with them,” she said. “Most of them are kindhearted and gentle. You come to know them and their personalities.”
Craver said each horse is different and has to be treated differently: “Horses are like people, every one of them is unique.”
Former Ottumwan Katherine Carr, 14, has also been involved in 4-H for quite some time, but only began showing horses about four years ago.
Every year she has shown the same horse, Pistol Packing Pete.
“We rent him,” she said. “He is an experienced horse and used to being trained. He has been trained since he was 2 years old, and he is 16 now.”
But, Carr still said it takes patience.
“They have to get used to working with someone new,” she said.
“Each year you learn what the judges want to see. You learn how to improve on your training and what your strengths and weaknesses are.”
Kelsey Proctor, 12, of Ottumwa, has discovered how to handle her horses over the years.
“My grandparents were leaders in the 4-H clubs and my mom and uncle showed in 4-H,” she said. “It has been a family event.”
Proctor said horse training can be difficult.
“It takes talent to train,” she said. “And a lot of balance to ride.”
But Proctor has noticed over the years that it becomes a little easier as the horse becomes accustomed to its trainer.
“They get to know you and you get to know them.”
Jesse Hinebaugh, 18, Ottumwa, has also become accustomed to participating in the horse show.
“You have to practice if you want to be good,” he said. “I try to get out and train as often as I can ...”
Hinebaugh said each year he has participated in the horse show he notices areas of improvements and works on those particular concerns.
“Everyone gets better from year to year,” he said. “That’s what makes a good competition.”
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.

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