Amber Robinson
Contributing writer
The second weekend in February saw 4-Her’s converging on Virginia Tech to compete in the Block and Bridle Hippology and Horse Judging Contests. Individuals had prepared and studied and were coming to test their knowledge of all things related to equines. Craig County was represented by Rikki Burns, Claire Deplazes, and Laurel Pollock in the Hippology Competition.
Claire placed well in the Junior division as the seventh place individual overall, fourteenth in exam and slides, and second in stations and judging. She was able to form a team with two other young ladies from Orange and Rockingham Counties and as a team they were fifth overall, fourth in exam and slides and stations and judging. Laurel and Rikki both competed in the Senior division. Laurel was the sixth highest individual overall, fourth in exam and slides and sixth on the team problem.
Rikki and Laurel finished eleventh overall as a team, eleventh in exam and slides, thirteenth in stations and judging and ninth in the team problem. In Horse Judging, Claire also placed well as the third highest Junior individual overall, ninth in judging halter classes, seventh in performance, and fourth in reasons. She again formed a team with the same two young ladies and together they were the third place team overall, sixth in halter, second in performance, and fifth in reasons.
Laurel placed well against some stiff Senior competition. She finished tenth overall and eighth in reasons. All the Craig County 4-Her’s enjoyed their time together and will continue practicing for their next competition in March at EquiSmartz in conjunction with the Virginia Horse Festival.
