Realistically, Samantha Phillips shouldn’t have been here.

At least not with her mare, Miley.

Just three days after her family purchased Miley last September, she ran into a wall and broke her neck. Samantha, a fourth-grader at Athens Christian Academy, was faced with a decision: carry on with Miley or choose another mare.

Samantha stuck with Miley. On Tuesday, as the two stood in the arena at the 49th Annual Henderson County Livestock Show, it was clear Samantha was plenty happy with her decision.

After all, she was holding a blue grand champion ribbon in her hand.

“I can’t believe I won grand champion,” Samantha repeated. “I feel shocked.”

The show kicked off Tuesday at the Henderson County Fairpark Complex with the Youth Horse Show’s judged events. The event marked a much-anticipated moment for the young participants who have spent months getting their animals ready for the weeklong show.

“I went out to the arena almost every day,” said Ms. Phillips, whose good friend and fellow East Texas Young Rider Sydney Roland took the reserve grand champion ribbon in the same event.

Carrie Sharp, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development in Kaufman County, judged the morning events. Sharp trained her eyes closely o­n each competitor, or more specifically, on each animal passing through the line of bright orange cones in the arena. Sharp got an initial look at each animal in the halter class, and then took a second look later before determining the ribbon winners.

Later, she also judged which animals would be named grand and reserve champion.

“In the halter classes, it’s really a beauty contest, a muscle contest,” Sharp said.

In showmanship, Sharp explained, the focus turns to the competitor. Each kid is judged on how he or she handles the horse and how the horse was prepared for the show.

“All that is about the hardest working kid out there,” Sharp said.

Technically, the livestock show began the previous evening with the crowning of Livestock Show Queen Calli Bane of Athens FFA and Princess Kelsey Bristow of LaPoynor FFA. Youth Horse Show speed events followed the crowning ceremony.

Events will continue throughout the week, with Friday night’s Market Steer Show and Saturday’s Premium Auction still forthcoming.

Tuesday, March 24

Mares 4 & under

1. Samantha Phillips, East Texas Young Riders

2. Eric Van Dusen, Shotgun Sports 4-H

3. Farrah Chalue, Cedar Creek Home Schoolers 4-H

4. Tori Jones, Eustace FFA



Mares 5 & under

1. Sydney Roland, East Texas Young Riders

2. Taylor Ricard, Cayuga FFA

3. Joshua Clakley, Happy Days 4-H

4. Caridad Aguilera, East Texas Young Riders

5. Emily Tidwell, LaPoynor FFA

6. Richey Clakley, Happy Days 4-H

7. Will Van Dusen, Shotgun Sports 4-H

8. Bayleigh White, Cross Roads 4-H

GRAND CHAMPION:

Samantha Phillips, East Texas Young Riders

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION:

Sydney Roland, East Texas Young Riders



Geldings 4 & under

1. Tori Jones, Eustace FFA

2. Kayleigh Taylor, East Texas Young Riders

3. Shelby Christopher, LaPoynor FFA

4. Adam Kirkland, Malakoff FFA

5. Joh­ney Clakley, Happy Days 4-H

6. Trinity Dessels, Kickapoo Creek



Geldings 5 & over

1. Savannah Meider, East Texas Young Riders

2. Harlie Burnett, LaPoynor FFA

3. Adam Kirkland, Malakoff FFA

4. Kathryn Williams, Brownsboro FFA

5. Aaron Arden, East Texas Young Riders

6. Megan DeFoe, Happy Days 4-H

7. Adrianne Kinabrew, Happy Days 4-H

8. Kennedy Ballow, East Texas Young Riders



GRAND CHAMPION:

Savannah Meider, East Texas Young Riders



RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION:

Tori Jones, Eustace FFA



Senior High Point halter

Tori Jones, Eustace FFA

Junior High Point halter

Savannah Meider, East Texas Young Riders



Showmanship at halter 13 & under

1. Aaron Arden, East Texas Young Riders

2. Kennedy Ballow, East Texas Young Riders

3. Will Van Dusen, Shotgun Sports 4-H

4. Sydney Roland, East Texas Young Riders

5. Farrah Chalue, Cedar Creek Home Schoolers 4-H

6. Adrianne Kinabrew, Happy Days 4-H



Showmanship at halter 14 & over

1. Emily Tidwell, LaPoynor FFA

2. Kathryn Williams, Brownsboro FFA

3. Taylor Ricard, Cayuga FFA

4. Harlie Burnett, LaPoynor FFA

5. Eric Van Dusen, Shotgun Sports 4-H

6. Megan DeFoe, Happy Days 4-H



Fairpark manager says sheriff’s help is invaluable

Everyone knows it takes a lot of work to get ready for the Henderson County Livestock Show. Kids spend months upon months prepping, grooming, feeding and sloshing around in the mud just for the shining moment that comes this week.

What many may not know is how much work goes into getting the Henderson County Fairpark Complex ready for the show.

Fairpark Manager Wayne Carrell said he is grateful for the work provided by Henderson County Sheriff Ray Nutt, who provides jail trusty workers.

“Without their help, we can’t run this place,” said Carrell, who noted the trusty labor saves the county roughly $200,000 a year. “I can’t say enough about what (Nutt) does for us.”

— Jayson Larson, editor