The Texas State 4-H Horse Show only comes around once a year — it is the pinnacle of the 4-H horse project, offering competition, scholarships and educational programs to youth from all over Texas. 

After almost a year of training and hard work, seven Texas 4-H youth presented horses from ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Partner, Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT), on July 24 at the Brazos County Expo Complex in Bryan, Texas. 

This year’s event featured some dynamic duos.

Madison C., a third-time presenter, and her sister Aideen, a first-time presenter, with their horses, Ruger and Rio. 

“Matching vulnerable horses with talented 4-H’ers in the Texas 4-H Homes for Horses program allows youth and horses to gain valuable life-changing skills,” says Christie Schulte-Kappert, senior director of ASPCA equine welfare, which helped Texas A&M Extension develop the program with grant assistance from the Texas Thoroughbred Association. “Equines in transition frequently end up vulnerable to inhumane treatment as they move between careers or owners, and each of these seven horses at some point faced an uncertain future.” 

Audra P., left, and Brianna R., right, with Dorito and Jem.

Participants and their families were acquainted with their horses at HSNT’s equine facility in Joshua, Texas in September 2023. 

“We connect participants with horses that match their ability levels,” says Steve Stevens, Director of Equine and Livestock for HSNT. “It could be a two-year-old horse who has never been ridden or a 20-year-old horse who needs refresher training.”

L to R: Abigail T. and Legolas; Addison R. and Tater Tot; and Jaydon B. with Popper.

Each participant received a $1,000 stipend from grant funding awarded by the Texas Thoroughbred Association, aimed at supplementing the costs of training, veterinary and farrier care and feed for each horse.

“There couldn’t be a more hands-on program that affords participants a way to help solve the problem of at-risk horses by training them so they’re adoptable,” says ZaJria Bradshaw, Homes for Horses graduate lead in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. “This show demonstrates how well these youth have prepared these equines for adoption.”

All in the Family

Training horses takes time and patience; sisters Madison and Aideen C. spent an average of six hours a day with theirs. Ruger, a five-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, had medical challenges, including scar tissue from previous surgery, and later experienced intestinal problems causing colic. Rio, a two-year-old American Quarter Horse/pony mix, had a few bad habits that Aideen helped break.

L to R: Aideen and Madison at home with Rio and Ruger.

“Ruger was out almost three months,” says Madison, explaining that his diet must be adjusted as seasons change. He had also never been ridden. “He was very green, so we started from the ground up. I had to teach him basic things, but he caught on quickly. Once he understands what to do, he does it.”

Madison introduced Ruger to tarps and kiddie pools, desensitizing him to things horses sometimes find spooky. 

“We developed our groundwork and worked on lunging, which was difficult since Ruger initially had a hard time understanding how to use his space,” she says. “We walked, trotted, cantered, stepped over poles, and he crossed a bridge for the first time. I won’t get on a horse until I know their groundwork is sufficient.”

Madison and Ruger at the show.

At the show, dressed in a maroon Texas A&M cape and riding to the tune of the “Texas Aggie War Hymn,” Madison guided Ruger around the arena, strutting their stuff and keeping the performance simple. 

Aideen was inspired to join her sister after having helped her in two previous shows. She demonstrated Rio’s trotting skills and familiarity with tarps and other distractions.

Aideen says Rio was ready and willing to learn.

“I wanted to experience the show firsthand,” says Aideen, an aspiring gymnast. “Rio tested my horsemanship and patience levels but turned out to be a great horse. He loves attention and is willing to learn.”

Madison and Ruger took first place in the under-saddle category, and Aideen and Rio took second in the in-hand category. 

More Texas 4-H Horse Show Wins

Audra P. and her two-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse, Dorito, took first place in the in-hand category, a competition where horses are judged on conformation, correctness, soundness and adherence to breed standards. Decorated in red, white and blue, Audra and Dorito delivered an Olympic-themed performance with obstacles representing sports from the Summer Games. 

L to R: Audra and Dorito during their performance; the duo with Amanda Stevens, equine trainer for HSNT; ZaJria Bradshaw, Homes for Horses graduate lead at Texas A&M; and Steve Stevens, Director of equine and livestock for HSNT.

“It’s great for us to see the progress these horses have made,” says Amanda Stevens, equine trainer for HSNT. “Most of them come from bad situations, like cruelty cases.”

Brianna and Jem perform their patriotic routine.

Under-saddle presenter Brianna R. and Jem, an energetic Missouri Fox Trotter, dazzled the audience with a patriotic performance that took second place. Outfitted in sparkly sequins, their exhibition accompanied Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country” and featured Jem riding through red, white and blue streamers and galloping as Brianna unfurled a large American flag. 

Addison R. and Tater Tot, a three-year-old Quarter Pony, placed third in the in-hand category. 

Addison demonstrates Tater Tot’s skills.

“Addison worked hard,” says her father Jerrod, who was at the show with Addison’s mother Ashton, siblings Kinsey and Cooper, and Titan, the family dog. “Addison’s a straight-A student, but nothing’s ever challenged her like this.”

Third- and fourth-place winners in the under-saddle category were Jaydon B. and Popper, a three-year-old Morgan mare, and Abigail T. and Legolas, a Tennessee Walking Horse.

L to R: Jaydon and Popper take a break; Abigail talks to judges about Legolas.

Winners earned scholarships of $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second, $1,000 for third and $500 for fourth.

Popper, Legolas and Rio are now available for adoption; the other participants adopted their horses. 

“I loved working with Ruger and want to keep him developing,” says Madison. “He’s got so much potential, and I want to help him pursue that.”