WEST ALLIS, Wis. – Six members of the Trempealeau County 4-H Horse Project traveled to Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis on Friday, September 11, to compete in the 39th Annual State 4-H Gymkhana held on Saturday. For five of the six riders, the event marked their first appearance at the state competition.
Participants must be at least in sixth grade to qualify for the State 4-H Gymkhana. According to Co-Leader Becky Hynes, this year’s delegation was particularly noteworthy.
“This is the most representation our county has had in my 13 years of involvement with the
project,” Hynes said.
Competitors tested their skills in six events: Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, Flag Race, LT Special, Keyhole, and Plug Race. Trempealeau County riders delivered outstanding performances, earning a combined total of five Grand Championships, five Reserve Championships, 11 Top Five finishes, and eight Top Ten finishes.
In the Grade 6-7 division, Trempealeau County had three riders competing in a strong field of 17 contestants.
Emily Young and her horse Corona earned a Grand Championship in the Plug Race, a Reserve Championship in Barrel Racing, and Top Five finishes in Pole Bending, Keyhole, and LT Special.
Makayla Young and Lacey earned a Grand Championship in Keyhole, one of the team’s strongest events, and Top Five finishes in Barrel Racing, Flag Race, and the Plug Race. The pair added a Top Ten finish in Pole Bending to round out an impressive day of competition.
Rubee Pronschinske and Dutchess rounded out the division with Reserve Championships in Pole Bending and Keyhole, a Top Five finish in the Flag Race, and a Top Ten finish in Barrel Racing. As a first-time State Gymkhana competitor, Rubee made an impressive debut by earning a Reserve Championship in her very first class.
Competing in the eighth-grade division, Carter Grotjahn and Nelly posted an impressive performance, earning two Grand Championships and two Reserve Championships. They earned their awards in the Flag Race, LT Special, Pole Bending, and Keyhole, along with a Top Ten finish in Barrel Racing.
In the ninth-grade division, Maci Ward and Jade recorded three Top Five finishes in Pole Bending, Keyhole, and LT Special. Ward narrowly missed a Reserve Championship in Pole Bending by just one-tenth of a second. The pair also earned Top Ten placings in the Plug Race and Barrel Racing.
The team’s only returning State Gymkhana competitor was Madison Grotjahn and her horse Reno in the 11th-grade division. This marked the pair’s third trip to the state competition, where they continued their tradition of success. Madison and Reno earned a Grand Championship in their favorite event, Pole Bending, a Top Five finish in Keyhole, and Top Ten placings in Barrel Racing, LT Special, and the Plug Race.
Co-Leader Heather Young, who traveled with the group to West Allis, was impressed not only by the team’s results but also by their conduct throughout the competition.
“It was a fun day,” Young said. “I received several compliments on the sportsmanship of our members and heard lots of comments about their riding talents.”
Following a successful state appearance, all six riders are looking forward to returning next year. They also hope to be joined by additional Trempealeau County 4-H members who will become eligible to compete at the state level.
The future looks bright for the Trempealeau County 4-H Horse Project as its riders continue to showcase their talent, sportsmanship, and dedication on Wisconsin’s biggest 4-H equestrian stage.