Live Oak graduate Molly Henningsen, 18, with her horse
“Split Boy” won the 4-H state showmanship competition on
Saturday, Aug. 16.
Live Oak graduate Molly Henningsen, 18, with her horse “Split Boy” won the 4-H state showmanship competition on Saturday, Aug. 16.
The competition was held at Rancho Murieta, California, east of Sacramento. It gave participants the opportunity to show off their horse handling skills. Henningsen and “Split Boy,” showed off for the judges in an arena.
Judges looked for how well the handler and the horse worked together and how well the horse responds to commands by the handler.
The Rancho Murieta show was a sister act for the Henningsen family. Henningsen’s sister, Beth, competed and placed in the top 10 in the same category.
Despite competing against each other, Henningsen says that the competition was left in the arena.
“She is happy that I won,” said Henningsen.
In order to qualify for the event, Henningsen had to place in the top three in a local competition. From March until June, Henningsen participated in four events offered by local 4-H groups. These were 4-H’s from San Martin, Hilltop, Piedmont acres and Gilroy. Although she only needed one, she qualified in all four events offered in Santa Clara County.
After the qualifiers, Henningsen began to train for the state show. In order to prepare, Henningsen worked out with her horse two to three times a week.
Competing is not something new to Henningsen. She has been involved with 4-H for seven years had has competed in events each of those years, even winning a few.
Compared to other competitions, Henningsen says this was one the hardest one she has participated in.
“The competition was harder because everyone from California was competing,” said Henningsen.
Henningsen says that she will not compete as much as before. She is currently attending college at California State University Sonoma and only plans to do a few local shows. Her sister, Beth, will be using “Split Boy” in future competitions.
