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UF/IFAS NEWS RELEASE By:
Aimee Huskey Source:
Ed Johnson FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July
3, 2002 TAMPA
– It’s their time to shine. It’s also time to trot, canter and jump. The
State 4-H Horse Show at the Florida State Fairgrounds highlights the cream of
this year’s youth equestrian crop on July 11, 12 and 13. Months
of hard work and determination have earned 285 youth the right to compete in the
show. Youth from 45 counties will compete in hunter-jumper, dressage, halter,
western pleasure and calf-roping events, as well as scholarship and public
speaking contests. More
than 3,390 young people participated in 4-H horse projects last year. The state
competition includes only the top competitors, and for many young people it is
the climax of a year’s hard work. The
stakes are high and there’s a lot on the line. Decisions made in seconds can
spell success or defeat for a rider. Tension at the show is noticeable although
there is a great deal of camaraderie among riders and their parents. Decisions
made in seconds can spell success or defeat for a rider. “The
bottom line is these kinds of activities are competitive, but they create a
situation where the kids make lifelong friends, and learn sportsmanship and
responsibility,” said event coordinator Ed Johnson, associate professor in the
department of Animal Science at the University of Florida. 4-Her’s
qualify for the state show by earning points through competition at local and
county shows throughout the year. Top winners in the state show will represent
Florida 4-H at the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships in Memphis,
Tennessee. Youth
from Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Columbia,
Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hernando, Highlands,
Hillsborough, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Marion,
Manatee, martin, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Osceola, Orange, Palm Beach,
Pinellas, Polk, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter,
Taylor, Volusia, Wakulla and Washington counties will be competing in the state
horse show. MEDIA
CHECK IN: DIRECTIONS
TO STATE FAIRGROUNDS: From
Northeast:
I-4 west, pass I-75, to Hillsborough Avenue exit. Straight to first light, then
left on Orient Road. Continue under the overpass and fairgrounds entrance is on
the left. From
Southeast: S.R. 60 west,
pass I-75 to U.S. 301. North (right) on U.S. 301 to Martin Luther King Blvd.
(S.R. 574). West (left) on M.L.K. to Orient Road. North (right) on Orient Road
to entrance on the right. PHOTO
& VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES: 8:00
a.m. Western Division begins, East Show Ring 11:00
a.m. Trail Area Open
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