A contingent of Lewis County 4-H members found success with horses at the Washington State Fair.
Senior members of the equine department in the 14-19 age group were able to secure hardware at the annual agricultural showcase.
The performance team competed Sept. 10-14. Isabella Hench, Ellie Morhous, Emma Engstrom and Isabel Thompson all walked away from the fair with medals:
• Isabella Hench: Reserve champion in classical dressage; third place in western dressage seat equitation; and eighth in western discipline rail.
• Ellie Morhous: Grand champion in western dressage; fifth in western discipline rail.
• Emma Engstrom: Grand champion in western dressage seat equitation; Reserve champion in western dressage; third in saddle seat; eighth in trail; and eighth in reining.
• Isabel Thompson: Grand champion in classical dressage; reserve champion in trail; third in huntseat equitation; third in classical dressage rail; fourth in saddle seat; and fifth in bareback.
Avery Sahlin, Joleigh Fletcher-Baker and Isabella Hench competed as a team of three in the groom squad class and received reserve champions.
The gaming team competed Sept. 16-19 and included Isabella Hench, Joleigh Fletcher-Baker, Isabel Thompson, Cassie Wilson, Cyndle Haller, Georgia Mills and Sophie Nimon.
Lewis County had top-eighth placings in six out of the seven events and took home some medals as well.
They were competing with about 60 of the top 4-H gamers from all over the state.
• Cassie Wilson: Grand champion two barrel flags (a tie with teammate Georgia Mills); third in Texas barrels; seventh in pole bending.
• Cyndle Haller: Sixth in pole bending; seventh in Texas barrels.
• Georgia Mills: Grand champion in two barrel flags (a tie with teammate Cassie Wilson); third in international flags; seventh in key pole race.
• Sophie Nimon: seventh in showmanship.
“So proud of these kids!” wrote Julie Mills, who submitted the results to The Chronicle. “Way to represent Lewis County!”
Lucille Parsons was set to compete in the small equine competition until Monday, Sept. 21. The intermediate team (ages 11 to 13) will begin competing in performance Sept. 22-24 and in western games Sept. 25-27.
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