4-H is a great way for kids to learn about their horses and there is no better horse to use as a project horse than a Spotted Saddle Horse. It's smooth ride, good manners and great temperament make it a great horse for kids to work with and learn on. The Spotted Saddle Horse has grown in popularity with 4-Hers as is evidenced by the size and number of classes at the 4-H shows.

4-H has a progression of shows beginning at the county level, progressing through district, state and ending at the regional level. In Tennessee there are 3 districts and the Southern Regional competition including thirteen states. The only requirement to proceed to the next level of competition is participation in the preceding level, except for Southern Regionals, where each of the participating 13 states set their own standards. In Tennessee, first preference always goes to senior (9-12 graders) participants with the highest points at state and then to all juniors who are high point winners in their respective divisions. Tennesee had 42 participants this year with four Spotted Saddle Horses with three of them being SSHBEA youth members. Usually in Tennesse at the county level all gaited horses are shown together because the size of participation is smaller, then the Spotted Saddle Horses are separated out into their own classes at the district and state levels. At the Southern Regional competition, all gaited horses are required to show together in the Saddle-Seat Non-Trotting Division in English tack and attire.

At this year's Southern Regional 4-H competition, the Spotted Saddle Horses were represented by Jordan Shields on Hy-Tone Dazzle (Reserved High Point Senior at state), Nikki Thompson on Bojangles Dixie Darling, and Morgan Shields on Designed By Dancer (high Point Junior state). Not only did the girls have to show against all gaited breeds and change to English tack and attire, they also showed senior and junior together. In spite of all the changes and combinations of classes, our girls came out with flying colors or should we say ribbons. In Showmanship Saddle Seat Non-Trotting, Jordan Shields was Reserved Champion. In Non-Trotting Saddle Type Mares Halter, Nikki Thompson was Reserved Champion, Morgan Shields was third, and Jordan Shields placed fourth. The Saddle Seat Equitation Non-Trotting class brought a fourth place ribbon for Jordan Shields. The showcase class, English Pleasure Saddle Seat Non-Trotting, was held in the main arena in the evening and brought ribbons for all the exhibitors: fifth to Jordan, seventh place to Nikki and eighth to Morgan. Jordan Shields was also Reserve Highpoint for the Saddle Seat Non-Trotting Division. It was a great experience for our youth and the girls answered many questions about their Spotted Saddle Horses.

If the interest was any indication, we will be seeing many more Spotted Saddle Horses in 4-H competitions in the future. Many spectators were impressed with the beauty, temperament and versatility of the horses. The girls would like to thank SSHBEA for their interest in the 4-H program and for the way they help and encourage the youth to participate in many different activities with their Spotted Saddle Horses. 4-H is one way truly amateur owned and trained horses can be shown. With the recognition of SSHBEA, hopefully the participation in 4-H with Spotted Saddle Horses will grow. A special thank you to all the people who help our young people participate in programs like 4-H. We look forward to another great season for the Spotted Saddle Horse in 4-H competitions around the states next year.