Members of Cochrane’s Big Hill West 4-H Club have much to be proud about after scoring big at the 4-H on Parade competition last weekend in Calgary.
Nine members, ages 11 to 17, took part in the three-day event at the Stampede grounds, with two riders placing high in categories such as showmanship and western and English pleasure riding.
Zachary Wilson, 12, placed second in both showmanship and western horsemanship and first in western pleasure riding in first level.
Rebecca Dal Callo, 12, ranked first in showmanship, second in western horsemanship and first in both western and English pleasure in second level.
Both Wilson and Dal Callo earned Highpoint Champion belt buckles within their respective levels for highest accrued points in the categories.
Kennedy Janzen, Addison Janzen, Dayne Harbidge, Kyle Lightfoot, Molly Burwash, Sophie Gatenby, Grace Harvey and Nicole Bauer also participated, with multiple ribbons won among them.
“I think it’s the culmination of showing what they learned over the years and doing a good job of it. They still do have fun but at the same time, they work very hard,” coach Janice Gagnon said.
“Things like in your horsemanship patterns or your showmanship patterns. Patterns have cones that designate where you stop or go. If you go on the wrong side of the cone, they’re eliminated. That doesn’t seem like a big thing, but when you have pressure knowing to try here, lope here, it’s easy to get on the wrong side of it if your horse isn’t 100 per cent cooperative.”
Big Hill West also won the banner for Large Club Stall Award, which is a banner given to the club that is judged on cleanliness and decoration.
Big Hill West has been around for 30 years and focuses on cultivating horsemanship abilities.
