Six Aroostook County 4-H’ers recently competed at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass. as part of the Maine Equestrian Team. The judge for this year’s competition was Robert MacDonald of Maine.
Leaving Augusta at on a Wednesday morning earlier this fall, the team arrived at the Big-E after lunch. This year’s competition included 108 riders from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Six of the 20 representatives from Maine were The County.
Competition was tough as 65 riders were Hunt Seat and 43 were Western. They began their competition with Fitting and Showmanship classes in the coliseum. Thursday morning began early with the flag ceremony and equitation classes also in the coliseum. The general horse knowledge test was administered that afternoon. Friday morning included Hunter over fences, Pleasure classes and Command class. In the afternoon, the horse-judging contest was held in Paddock N. The quiz bowl and communications portion were held that evening in the New England Center. Saturday morning began with the flag ceremony and drill team performance.
This year’s captains were Brianna Hanington and Desiree Foster of the 4-H Wild Mustangs. The 14-rider, interstate drill team was coached by their mothers, Carrie Hanington and Sherry Foster, also of the 4-H Wild Mustangs.
Classes following on Saturday were Hunter under saddle, Bridle path hack, Obstacle driving and Western handiness. The trail classes were held that afternoon in Paddock N. All of the participants walked in the parade through the fairground as part of the large Mardi Gras-themed parade. Awards were presented that evening, with the team heading back home on Sunday.
Hanington of Bancroft, riding C.A. Ultimate Legacy, five-time veteran of the Big-E placed in the following categories: Maine Team Horse Judging, first; General Knowledge test, seventh; Fitting and Showmanship, third; Western Equitation, third; Command, first; Western Handiness, second and Western Trail, third. She also received the coveted top perpetual award, the Mac MacDonald trophy, awarded for the top combined score of General Knowledge, Horse Judging and Fitting and Showmanship. Hanington earned 376 points out of a possible 400.
Alyssa Kilcollins of Caribou, riding Clipper, a four-time veteran placed as follows; Fitting and Showmanship, first; English Equitation: second; English Pleasure, first and English Trail, third.
Kori Kinney of Easton, riding Buff Cap Sierra, in her second trip to the Big-E placed as follows: Fitting and Showmanship, second; English Pleasure, fifth and Bridle Path Hack, sixth.
Kimberly Levesque of Linneus, driving Buddy, also in her second time to the Big-E placed in the following categories: Driving Reinsmanship, third; Pleasure Driving, third and Obstacle Driving, third.
Megan Fitzpatrick of Hodgdon, riding Rockie, in her first time at the competition placed as follows: Fitting and Showmanship, fifth; Western Equitation, ninth; Western Pleasure, seventh and Maine Team Horse Judging, first.
Desiree Foster of Linneus, riding Tom Te Mac, in her third trip to the competition placed: English Equitation, fifth; English Pleasure, seventh; Bridle Path Hack, second and English Trail, sixth. Foster has recently represented Maine on the Equine Quiz Bowl team at regionals held at the University of Southern Maine and will compete at nationals in Kentucky this November.
This year’s Maine Equestrian Team earned more top three awards than any other state due to the efforts of the Aroostook County equestrians.
