CLAIRE FANCHER led the junior division with two wins out of four events at the Youth Horse Show. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
EARLY HEAD START. Nine-month-old Waylon saddled up for an incredible rookie showing on June 19. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
FOUR-PEAT CHAMP. Lakynn Koening (pictured) won all four youth events at the horse show and shared a victory in the Ribbon Race with Lucille Swoboda. Koening also lighted up the ring at the Bulls and Barrels Rodeo this past weekend. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
MORGAN WEBSTER galloped past the competition for a first-place finish in the junior Barrels event. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
Youth Horse Show Gallops Into Action
The Youth Horse Show giddied up for success at the Sullivan Saddle Club on Wednesday, June 19. These young guns performed fiery stunts on their horses during competitions, showing that they have what it takes to be a rodeo star.
The night’s highlight was nine-month-old Waylon, who got a feel for the arena while saddled on horseback.
Lakynn Koening was the champion of all four youth events. Her first win was a shared victory with Lucille Swoboda in the Ribbon Race event. She got to be on the big stage Friday and Saturday night at the Bulls and Barrels Rodeo.
Claire Fancher led the junior division with two victories.
Sponsors Roller Mill, May’s Custom Boot and Leather, Saray’s Dog Grooming LLC, and Sullivan Saddle Club helped make the event free.
Ribbon Race
The show kicked off with the youth Ribbon Race, where participants competed in duo teams. Koening and Swoboda galloped past the competition for a first-place finish. Mazie and Mattie Schatz were the runners-up in the class, while Cody Snodgrass and Mack Bokamp finished third.
There was no winner in the junior Ribbon Race because each team’s ribbons ripped before they could cross the finish line.
Figure 8
Koening clinched the top spot in the youth Figure 8 competition, while Swoboda landed 2nd and Mazie Schatz rounded out the top three.
Claire Fancher giddied up to a first-place taking in the junior division, Lexi Bokamp ranked second and Clint Fancher got third.
Plug
The fifth class was the youth Plug showdown. Koening again took the top spot, while Mack Bokamp finished second and Swoboda took third.
In the junior Plug, Claire Fancher seized her second victory, Lexi Bokamp came in second and Ava Brueggemann followed her in the standings.
Barrels
Koening made her fourth consecutive victory in the Youth Barrels event, with Swoboda as the runner-up and Mazie Schatz clinching 3rd.
For the juniors, Morgan Webster rode off to a first-place finish, Josie Higgins galloped to 2nd and Clint Fancher got 3rd.