State 4-Hers swarm Calsonic for annual horse show

Melissa Fann celebrates her last 4-H state championship show with a big win. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

Anyone who has been in 4-H can tell you the Hs stand for "head, heart, hands and health," but if you ask the hundreds of young people down at the Calsonic Arena right now, there ought to be a fifth H.

Horse.

The Tennessee 4-H Horse Show is being held on the Celebration grounds, both in the arena and the Champions Arena just behind it. Youth from about 10 years old to about 18 have come from all across the state to test their skills in many different styles of riding, judging, and general knowledge.

Rebeckah Jackson and Jag take a break between classes. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Of course, some of those students didn't have to come too far. Rebecca Hastings, Melissa Fann, Jessica Avery, Rebeckah Jackson, Sarah Beth Thomas and Hayden Burks are only a few of the Bedford County horsemen to attend -- and win -- at this year's event. Many of them have been attending -- and winning -- for several years now.

"This is my last year," said Rebecca Hastings, 17, daughter of Michelle Hastings and Tim Hastings. "I'll probably keep competing in other shows."

Rebecca, and her spotted saddle horse Rock 'n' Roll delight, walked away with first place in the Senior Showmanship and Grooming class.

"She's won that about every year," said her grandfather, Winfred Arnold.

And while she likes the collection of pretty ribbons she's earned in 4-H, it's what she's learned in 4-H that means more to her.

"I've learned to be humble," she said. "And you have to have patience and not sweat the small stuff."

Melissa Fann, 18, the daughter of David and Debbie Fann, is another one who's finishing her last year in 4-H by finishing in the blues. She and Design by Fire won the halter class for geldings 5 and under. In fact, three of the top five places in that class went to Bedford County 4-Hers, with the second going to Michael Brandon and fifth to Jessica Avery.

"I like it," said Melissa, looking around the Champions Arena, where dozens of horses stood patiently with their handlers as the classes progressed. "It's fun, getting to compete alongside people your own age, and not having to compete against grown ups, like you do in other shows."

The children listed many reasons for joining 4-H, such as making friends and getting to travel, but for this group, the main reason was horses. Not just showing them -- but learning about them, from hoof care to barn maintenance.

"I learned how to make both my horses extend," said Jessica Avery, the daughter of Jolie and Jim Avery. "And I learned how to take care of them.

Jessica, who was the high points winner at the Bedford County show with her spotted saddle horse Diamond Dude, has been training the young gelding. She also shows a Tennessee walking horse and got her start in equitation with Faye Lynn Coffey.

Rebeckah Jackson is from Eagleville, just across the county line from Bedford, and her grandparents live in Shelbyville. At 11, she hasn't had quite as much experience in 4-H shows as the other Rebecca, but she's coming on strong.

"She's been riding three or four years now," said her grandfather, Hank Fricke.

With four more classes to ride, Rebeckah had already gotten one ribbon and was waiting for another to begin. She rides her quarterhorse, Jag, in Western events such as poles and barrels.

"I just like being able to ride horses and being around them," she said. "Some of my friends are in 4-H, too, butt hey don't have horses. They still come and watch."

Besides horse care and horsemanship, one thing she has learned in 4-H is attitude -- like how to get back on when you've been tossed off.

"Oh, I had a pony launch me," she said, laughing. "I was pretty nervous about getting back on, but I did it."

"It just makes me happy," said Sarah Beth Thomas, just after winning a second place ribbon on her spotted saddle horse, Masquerading's Glow Girl. "I make a lot of friends."

Hayden Burks, 15, says he just got into the horse aspect of 4-H because he "just wanted to show" his mare Big Time Trouble, who took second in her class.

"I learned about good sportsmanship," he said.

That was evident in all of them. Even when competing against each other, the 4-Hers offered support before classes and congratulations after.

"Competing is fun," said Rebeckah. "I just like being around the horses."