Maine Equestrian Team second at Big E

    Five local riders recently attended the 2011 New England 4-H Horse Show at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass.
    The judge for the four-day event was Clint Depew of Baton Rouge, La. Representing Maine as part of the 20-rider team were Megan Fitzpatrick, Sara Fitzpatrick, Kim Levesque, Melissa Peabody and Desiree Sixberry. All riders are members of the 4-H Wild Mustangs.
    The riders from Maine left Augusta  in a charter bus as their horses were transported together on a transport trailer. Maine is the only New England state team that arrives and departs together as a team. Since equestrian events are typically individualistic, this experience is unique and helps the riders to bond as a team.
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
RUNNERS-UP — Five local riders recently attended the 2011 New England 4-H Horse Show at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass. and placed second as a team. They are, from left, Desiree Sixberry; Megan Fitzpatrick; Sara Fitzpatrick, Kim Levesque and Melissa Peabody.
    All riders were required to participate in the events of fitting and showmanship (the presentation of the well-groomed and conditioned horse to the judge), equitation (the rider‘s ability to execute a pattern and rail work), horse knowledge, safety/educational poster and horse judging. Other riding classes were chosen at tryouts in Skowhegan last June by the individual rider. 
    Megan Fitzpatrick of Hodgdon, riding Rockie, placed 10th in Western handiness, while Kim Levesque of Linneus, riding Isaac received a ninth-place ribbon for her safety/educational poster.
    Melissa Peabody of Houlton, riding All Stars Three Peat scored first place for fitting and showmanship, fifth in equitation, 10th in pleasure class, seventh for safety/educational poster and fourth in English trail.
    Sara Fitzpatrick of Hodgdon, riding Just Plain Principle scored first place in pleasure class, fifth in fitting and showmanship, third in equitation, eighth in Western handiness, 10th for safety/educational poster, third for Western trail, and fifth for quizbowl.
    In her final year as a 4-Her, Desiree Sixberry of Linneus, riding Tom Te Mac placed first in fitting and showmanship, 10th in equitation, seventh in hunter under saddle, eighth for safety/educational poster, fifth in quizbowl, and second in English trail. 
    Competing against all 83 riders for horse judging, Sarah Fitzpatrick (scoring seventh overall) and Desiree Sixberry (scoring sixth overall) helped Maine receive second place as a team.