News Release Distributed 06/11/10
Nearly 600 youth from across Louisiana will compete in the 41st annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show July 6-10 in West Monroe.
Coordinated by the LSU AgCenter, the event will be held at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center. Youngsters who participate in the show already will have competed in parish and district shows.
Events include breakaway roping, team penning, pole bending, western riding, reining and barrel racing. In addition, youth will compete in public speaking, demonstrations, quiz bowl, horse judging and the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor contest, said Dwayne Nunez, LSU AgCenter horse show manager.
“The horse industry is an important component of Louisiana’s agriculture economy, with the latest figures showing that the total economic impact of the industry meant about $2.4 billion to the state’s economy in 2009,” Nunez said. Almost 49,000 Louisianians own more than 203,000 horses.
An awards banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on July 8.
The West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau is a major sponsor of the show.
Mary Ann Van Osdell