Local 4-H'ers compete in national horse judging

Foster County 4-H’ers Brekka Kuss and Baylee Lura teamed up recently with 4-H’ers from Sargent County to compete in the horse judging contest at the Western National Round-up in Denver.

The Foster-Sargent team placed eighth in the overall competition. The team was second in the team performance class, seventh in team reasons and ninth in team halter at the national event.

The Foster-Sargent team earned the privilege of representing North Dakota in the Western Round-up when they won the senior division of the state 4-H horse judging contest last April.

Jason Lura serves as one of the coaches of the team.

Expenses for the trip were paid by generous donations from several local businesses as well as individuals.

Horse judging is an activity in which youth learn and apply knowledge of the ideal features of a variety of breeds and riding styles. They must evaluate each horse in relation to the ideal for the breed and in relation to other horses or riders in the class. In addition to placing the class, contestants must also defend their placings through oral reasons.