MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Fair includes a variety of shows for almost every animal. On Sunday evening, the Junior Fair 4-H Draft Horse and Pony Show was held with eight participants. The event was organized by the Knox County Draft Horse and Pony Club.
“The halter classes are the hardest for me to judge,” said judge Juli Fogt. “I was a member of the Draft and Pony 4-H Club here in Knox County, so I know most, if not all, of the kids, and there are a lot of new members this year.
“They have all done good this year and some of them impressed me in the halter classes and did better than I thought they would. Others had difficulties, but that’s always there,” said Fogt.
Control is the most important quality in the competition, she said. A few participants cantered their horses, which is not allowed; walk and trot are the only forms of movement judged during the show.
Fogt has been judging the competition for five years and is deeply involved with the draft horse community.
“The draft horse community is pretty closeknit, so everyone knows everybody. I try to explain to the kids what I liked and what they did wrong so there is no miscommunication,” said Fogt.
Many of the youths participate in different classes during the show. Heather Fredenburg, Mount Vernon, placed first in the horse cart, light harness class. This is her first time competing in the show and she said her experience was awesome. Fredenburg said she has only been working with the horse cart for a couple of months but her horse, Sonny Dee Bret, has been carting for many years.
“He’s done weddings before,” she said.
Fredenburg is not unfamiliar with horses; she has ridden for 13 years and definitely knows she will be competing next year.
“It was amazing,” she said.
Winning second, in the horse cart, light harness class was Morgan Jessup; third place went to Morgan Stull.
Placing first in the pony cart, light harness class was Drake Mulkey, Fredericktown.
“I thought things went really well. I had a lot of fun,” he said.
This is Mulkey’s second time competing in the pony show with his 5-year-old pony named Diamond Glitter. Although he thought the competition went well, he said the training was a little bit difficult, but that he enjoyed working with his pony. Coming in second place in the class was Selina Mulkey, Fredericktown. Third place went to Kate Bailey.
