Riders named to 4-H Equestrian team

This summer, several local equestrians competed in Skowhegan for the coveted positions on the Maine 4-H Equestrian Team.
    Five riders and one alternate from the area qualified for this year’s elite team with 37 riders trying out for 20 spots. The riders will represent Maine at the Big E in Springfield, Mass. in September.
Making the team in order of placement were: No. 2 Desiree Foster of Linneus, Wild Mustangs; No. 3 Brianna Hanington of Bancroft, Wild Mustangs; No. 4 Alyssa Kilcollins of Fort Fairfield, Maine Eventers; No. 11 Callie Foster of Linneus, Wild Mustangs and No. 17 Kimberly Levesque of Linneus, Wild Mustangs. Qualifying as the alternate was Sarah Tompkins of Presque Isle, who is a member of the Maine Eventers.
Levesque will be representing the Maine Team in a new division — the driving portion — with her pony, Buddy.
Selected for the Maine 4-H Horse Judging Team was D. Foster, while Hanington will represent the state in the Quiz bowl. These girls will be traveling to Kentucky in November.
To make the Maine 4-H Equestrian Team, riders are put through a scrutinizing process. It began with an “intent to participate” form, which is due in April. Each rider must then submit a packet of information, which contains pertinent information about the rider and their horse. This packet was due in May. The packets are worth 50 points toward the rider’s overall score, with seven additional points awarded at the discretion of the reviewing committee.
Callie Foster and Hanington of the 4-H Wild Mustangs received the honor of the highest portfolio scores.
Once in Skowhegan, all participants took a horse knowledge test worth 100 points toward their total score. Kilcollins of the Maine Eventers received this year’s highest test score. The riders were also judged in Fitting and Showmanship, Equitation Class, Stable Management and two horse judging classes.