Local 4-H team shines at Eastern National Horse Roundup

Published 11:07 am Tuesday, November 15, 2016

If you’re looking to prove your knowledge of horses, what better place than Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby and many world-class breeders?

That’s what three young ladies from Wallowa County did earlier this month as competitors at the Eastern National Horse Round-up on Nov. 4-6 at Lexington, Ky.

Teagan Miller a junior at Wallowa High School, Maddi Tracy-Mallory, a junior at Joseph Charter School and Deidre Schreiber, a sophomore at Enterprise High School had a whirlwind trip that included a stopover at O’Hare Airport in Chicago during the World Series, some tense competition at nationals and some unforgettable sight-seeing.

They were accompanied by coach Jill Arbogast of Wallowa County 4-H.

When the dust settled, the trio finished eighth among 19 teams competing in the Hippology contest, third as a team in problem-solving and ninth as a team for judging. Individually, Miller placed 10th overall.

Teams from Oregon, Washington and Idaho have the option of competing nationally either at the Western competition in Denver or the Eastern competition in Kentucky. The local team decided a trip to Kentucky would be much more memorable. Also, it’s a tougher test since competing back east requires knowing a completely different set of textbooks.

The competition was an intense set of timed tests that required extensive knowledge of horse anatomy, nutrition, basic care, diseases and more. The local trio qualified to compete nationally after a stellar performance at the state fair last spring. Once they learned they were going to Kentucky, they got to work learning the Eastern Nationals material — lessons that many of the teams they were up against had been studying for years.

They also got to work raising money for traveling expenses. While their trip was partially sponsored by the Wallowa County 4-H and local businesses, they needed to raise several thousand dollars via a recycling station at Community Bank in Joseph. They took turns sorting and preparing cans and bottles all summer to help pay their way.

The competition included horse judging, problem-solving and a 150-question slideshow.

Following a long, grueling day of testing, the girls got to spend a day at Churchill Downs Racetrack, home of the Kentucky Derby. They watched races from “Millionaire’s Row,” some of the best seats at the track. They also had special access to get a close-up look at the trainers, horses and jockeys. Their trip also included a tour of some world-class stables in the area.

On Friday, the girls discussed their trip and thanked members of the 4-H Board for all of their assistance along the way.