WEST ALLIS, Wis. – Two Trempealeau County 4-H Horse Project members made a successful return to state
competition September 18-20, representing the county at the 61st Wisconsin State 4-H Horse Expo at Wisconsin
State Fair Park in West Allis.
Youth in grades six through 13 from across Wisconsin traveled to the State Fairgrounds for a weekend of competition, horsemanship, and camaraderie. Returning to the State Expo for Trempealeau County were Paizlee Hart and Anessa Pehler, with both riders bringing home Grand Championships and numerous Top Ten finishes.
Paizlee competed with two horses, Real Skippin Dude, known as Coda, and Sleepy in Stilettos, known as Rosie,
showing in a full slate of classes throughout the weekend.
Showing Coda in the three-gait classes, Paizlee earned six Top Ten ribbons, placing in English and Western Showmanship, Pleasure, and Equitation classes.
Paizlee also showed Rosie in the walk/trot division, where the pair earned three Top Ten ribbons in English Equitation, Trail, and Western Equitation. One of the highlights of the weekend came in Western Pleasure, where Paizlee and Rosie topped their age division to earn the title of Grand Champion.
Joining Paizlee at the State Expo was fellow Trempealeau County 4-H member Anessa Pehler and her horse, A
Coolest Grace, known as Grace. The pair competed in the walk/trot classes for Anessa’s age division.
Anessa and Grace brought home four Top Ten ribbons, placing in Western and English Showmanship, In-Hand Trail,
and Western Equitation. The pair added an even bigger accomplishment when they were named Grand Champions
in English Pleasure for their age division.
The success continued outside the show ring.
To round out an already memorable weekend, the girls won the stall decorating competition, earning the coveted
Barn Award. The honor also came with an added perk: the opportunity to select their stalls for next year’s Expo. The
girls wasted no time in choosing a prime location that is among the most sought-after spots in the barn.
Trempealeau County 4-H Horse Project Co-Leader Angie Hart said both girls are already looking forward to returning to West Allis next year.
Hart said one of her goals is to encourage more Trempealeau County youth to participate in the State Horse Expo
and experience everything the weekend has to offer.
“It is a great experience, and you come away with so many great memories,” Hart said.
Volunteer Kristine Pehler agreed that the weekend was about much more than ribbons and championships.
“We came away with so many memories and were reminded that there is always something to work on or learn, but
there is always something to be happy about as well,” Pehler said. “And underneath it all, it’s just a girl and her
horse.”
For Paizlee and Anessa, the weekend included plenty to celebrate: two Grand Championships, numerous Top Ten
ribbons, a Barn Award, and another opportunity to proudly represent Trempealeau County on the state stage. But
perhaps just as important were the experiences shared with their horses, family, friends, and fellow 4-H members.
With next year’s stalls already selected and plans for another trip to West Allis underway, the girls hope they will
have a few more Trempealeau County teammates joining them when the State 4-H Horse Expo rolls around again