For the Antigo Times

The Langlade County 4-H Horse & Pony Project celebrated a busy and successful year with five members representing Langlade County at the state competitions in September. Zoe Brockman, Payten Lease, Jodi Wolf and Erica Wolf traveled to West Allis on September 9th and 10th to compete in the State Gymkhana competition, while Bailey Novy proudly represented the project in English Hunt Seat at the State Horse Expo on September 14th through the 17th. The ladies were all very successful in their events.

“Traveling down as a team and being there for each other is the best part,” Zoe Brockman, Chairman of the Horse & Pony Project, said.

Bailey Novy also reported to the project that she learns more and more each time she gets the chance to compete at the state level.

Results from the competition included:

• Payton Lease – Grand Champion in the Plug and LT Special, Reserve Champion in the Flag race, and a Top Ten ribbon finish in Keyhole and Pole Bending.
• Zoe Brockman – Top Ten Award in Pole Bending
• Erica Wolf – Five Top Ten Awards in Plug, Pole Bending, Barrels, Keyhole and LT Special
• Jodi Wolf – Three Top Ten Awards in Barrels, Pole Bending and LT Special with a Reserve Champion Award in Flag

The project also held an end of the year trail ride on September 21st in conjunction with the RRR Riding Club and riders from GTE Ranch in Antigo. The trail ride ended with a pot luck lunch and trail ride stories around a campfire.

From left to right: Bailey Novy, Zoe Brockman, Marty Bauer, McKenzie Glenetske, and Allyssa Glenetske.

At the group’s October meeting, the Youth Leaders from the HPP continued a tradition of awarding special recognition to horse and rider/handlers. Awards are voted on by youth members only and included:

• Mentor of the Year (Youth) – Katelyn Matuszewski
  Mentor of the Year (Adult) – McKenzie Glenetske
  Most Versatile Horse – Summer’s Pride (owned by Zoe Brockman)
  Most Improved Rider – Allyssa Glenetske
  Most Entertaining Member – Bailey Novy
  Miss Congeniality – Zoe Brockman

The members are currently selling Seroogy’s candy bars as a fundraiser for the upcoming 2018 year.

The Horse & Pony Project has grown in membership over the past year and always welcomes new members. Contact the Langlade County UW Extension office for more details.